Assumptions and Constraints
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Project Management Articles
Project-Speak: Assumptions and Constraints
Few projects begin with absolute certainty. If we had
to wait for absolute certainty, most projects would
never get off the ground. As projects are planned and
executed, some facts and issues are known, others
must be estimated. Estimation is an art, with many fine points to finesse between certainty and wishful
thinking. You can't just hope you have the resources
you need to do the job, and you can't wait until
every resource is available to begi
n. You have to manage and mitiga
te using informed assumptions and
constraints.
Assumptions and constraints form the basis for project planning, filling in the gaps between known
proven facts and total guesswork. Each assumpti
on is an "educated guess", a likely condition,
circumstance or event, presumed known and true in the
absence of absolute certainty. Each constraint is
a limiting condition, circumstance or event, sett
ing boundaries for the proj
ect process and expected
results. Once identified, these assumptions and co
nstraints shape a project in specific, but diverging
ways - assumptions bring possibilities
, and constraints bring limits
. Consider this example:
•
A defined budget is a fact. i.e. $10,000 has
been allocated to complete a given project.
•
The belief that the budget is sufficient to complete the project on time and as required is an
assumption. This assumption should not be a gu
ess. It should be the result of a planned,
verified budget estimate.
•
The need to modify deliverables and adapt the sc
hedule to suit the budget is a constraint.
The chart below further illustrates th
ese similarities and distinctions:
Assumptions
Constraints
Characteristics
Condition, circumstance or event.
Condition, circumstance or event.
Impact
Allow the project to proceed. Rest
rict and limit project execution.
Process
Must be analyzed and monitored to ensure
validity and relevancy as the project
proceeds.
Must be identified and incorporated into the
project plan to ensure that the plan is
realistic.
From initiation to closure, assumptions and constraint
s set the stage for project planning and execution.
As the project is planned, assumptions and constraint
s will be used to define and shape tasks, schedules,
resource assignments and budget allocations. As such
, each is used to manage an otherwise uncertain
future, laying out a roadmap for how the project will proceed.
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