There are many ways to reach a destination within the given constraints. Some ways are better than others. And often, the familiar, boring path beats the random, reactive one.
Either way, the work must be done. Resources will be spent. The real question is—how effectively did we get there? How many resources did we burn? And what was the experience of the journey?
Let’s bring this into the project world.
Following a known plan (adapted and optimised) is usually far better than winging it. Sure, both paths might get us to the finish line. But one leads to clarity and momentum, the other to rework, fatigue, and frustration.
There are no shortcuts. Skip planning, testing or change management now, and you’ll pay for it later. The work doesn’t disappear. It just shows up again—louder and costlier—after go-live.
Often, the shortcut is the long way around.
