How to Manage Complex Programs

CHAPTER 6

Program Execution and Control

In preparing for battle, I have always found that plans are useless but planning is indispensable.

—Dwight D. Eisenhower

Program management depends on plans, and the earlier chapters of this book have explored several aspects of the overall planning process. Plans are imperfect, and for major programs they tend to be deficient in many ways, because analysis can supply, at best, only a partial picture in the face of complexity. Even if you do an outstanding job of program planning, you will inevitably encounter surprises, problems, and other issues. It is also true, however, that with systematic analysis you will encounter fewer unexpected events than you would with less planning. Lowering the stress, even ...