Our decisions are the building blocks of our projects. If we make poor decisions, the outcome will likely be disappointing—or even embarrassing. On the flip side, good decisions lay the groundwork for success.
It’s important to remember that decisions follow a hierarchy. The first ones we make form the foundation for everything that follows. If those foundational decisions are flawed, the rest—no matter how well thought out—will struggle to add much value.
Think of it like building a house. If you choose to build in a troubled neighbourhood, it won’t matter how beautifully you design it or how strong the construction is—it’s still going to be a bad investment.
As leaders, it’s our job to challenge assumptions, evaluate our thinking, and deeply understand the motivations of our stakeholders. This ensures we get those foundational decisions right. Once those are made, it’s essential to keep reassessing in light of new insights.
Projects don’t fail by accident. They fail because of weak governance—especially at the start, when the most critical decisions are being made. Tight governance and sharp decision-making are the keys to staying on track.
