Avoiding Project Bloat

I love big ideas and I love trying to figure out how to implement them. The mental and creative challenge of scoping a project that is new and exciting can be exhilarating. And there is nothing better than looking back at the successful end of an important project and saying “I was a part of that.”

The thing is big ideas can spiral into being something bigger than they should be—or worse out of control. It happens when the excitement of a big idea gets in the way of good judgment. It can also happen when planning (yes planning) gets in the way of the true end goal.

Now I am all for planning and firmly believe it needs to be done no matter how small or large the project may be. However, planning can get in the way when you build in more than you really need—think going to the grocery store when you’re hungry. Everything looks good when you’re hungry and so you buy a bunch of stuff you really don’t need (its usually cookies and chips for me).

With projects, the stuff you don’t need is not something as tasty (or cheap) as cookies or chips, it is usually too many features or trying to accommodate every future need you can dream of. So while you have to plan and keep your eye on the future, at the end of day you’ve got to get the job done and knowing where to draw the line is critical.

That line is always easiest to see when you keep business objectives at the forefront.