Consider that you are building a house. The builder called to inform you that the house would not be completed by the agreed date. Then he gives you a few options:
- You remove the backyard and garage door completion from the contract (descope). Or,
- Move the completion delivery date by three months.
You may choose descoping (option 1) rather than delaying the whole project.
We tend to have a deep association with the project completion date and budget. However, we are likely to be flexible with scope.
So, when we struggle to deliver the project on time and within budget, then consider asking the following questions:
- What can we decouple and move to future phases of the initiative?
- What can we descope?
- What can we pass on to the other parties (customer’s team, third party) to increase efficiency and optimise cost?
Before deciding to delay the project to pay more, consider descoping.
