6 Questions to Ask Before Starting a Big Project
Jonathan Osler is a lecturer at the University of California Berkeley. He has been in the industry for many years and has gained a lot of knowledge. As a working professional, he truly believes that there are six questions that one should ask before starting a big project as outlined below:
1) What is the motive?
It is crucial to discern the motive behind starting the project. Osler says that the first question to ask before beginning any great project is about the objective of the whole idea. The answer may be something as simple as making a profit or gaining power, but it should never be abstract like ‘making a difference. The motive needs to be clear and concise in order for the project to be executed correctly. Without a clear motive, the project can easily collapse.
2) What are the risks?
When discerning whether or not to start a big project, it is essential to consider the risks of starting the project. Education expert Jonathan Osler says every big project entails risk. He then outlines seven different types of risks: financial, physical, legal, political, environmental, social, and psychological. It is essential to be aware of these risks before starting a big project and have a plan for mitigating them.
3) Who is the audience for the project?
When beginning a big project, it is essential to consider who one’s audience is. One should ask who will benefit from the work. It might even be better not to start the project at all if your primary motivation for doing so is self-serving. If no people will benefit from the project and assist in its completion, then Jonathan Osler suggests that perhaps it should not begin.
4)Are there enough resources?
What resources does the organization have available? Resources include financial capital, human capital (people), materials needed to complete the task, tools required to do so effectively, land/space requirements, legal permissions necessary, etc. What are our strengths and weaknesses?
5)Do we have the necessary skills?
One should also consider if they have the necessary skills to complete the project. It is essential to be realistic about available resources and not overestimate what can be accomplished. Osler says it is crucial to “assign tasks according to people’s gifts and skills. Educator Jonathan Osler also suggests making a list of the skills needed for each job.
6) What are the implications in case the project fails? Finally, it is paramount to know the implications and potential consequences just in case the project fails. It is essential to understand what could go wrong and how bad it could be. This will help you make contingency plans. Osler suggests that one should avoid projects where failure would blame God. Again, Jonathan Osler recommends making a list of tasks that could go wrong. He advises people to be realistic in assessing their abilities, knowledge and skills.