Here are a few things I know for sure about managing projects:

1. We are all pretty good at risk assessments early in a project.  Brainstorming potential risks, making lists, developing mitigation strategies, etc.
2. Most of us consider it a personal affront to have to delay a “Go Live” date, whether that’s the opening of a new wing in a hospital, upgrading a critical software system, or switching phone systems.

So I think that two of the toughest words a project manager can utter, not at the beginning of a project when most risks are off in the distance somewhere, but right at the moment of Go Live, are “Let’s wait.”

I just had to do this.  The launch delay is only a week and if I am being honest with myself, it makes perfect sense to give ourselves a little more time for testing and ensuring that everything will go smoothly.  But it still felt like defeat.  We had to update our change controls, rebook vendor support, alter travel arrangements, add some costs to the project, and make sure all the stakeholders were informed not just of the delay, but all the reasoning behind it.  Not fun.

But as I reflect on this objectively, I know it was the right and prudent thing to do.  Remember, sometimes courage isn’t charging straight at the barrel of a loaded gun, it’s taking time to realize there are lethal bullets in it and rallying the troops for “plan B”…