No resources, but here's a couple of non-project examples to help bring it to life.
We want to cook a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. Our guests will be seated for the meal at 7 PM. There is uncertainty around how many folks will show up, but I assume that it will be the same number of guests as last year. The assumption enables us to make a decision regarding how big a turkey I need. Even though we are making multiple dishes for the meal, everything needs to be ready no later than 7 PM on Thanksgiving. That day and time is a constraint on our cooking.
Hope that helps!
Kiron Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Hi Sharyn
also I am not aware of any resource to look at though the topic has been explained to many students in the past. It is always good to make students think about the terms in their own environments. Here are some thoughts
Both terms come often together, why? They are indeed different concepts.
Assumptions are unknown facts that are believed to be true for the moment and until more information about them becomes available. It is good to write them down for several reasons, like to share them with others, remember them at a later time or put a focus on solving them.
In contrast constraints are known facts. Now. They probably do not change during the project (or then trigger change requests). Constraints are helpful, as they also are guardrails and move greenfield to brownfield projects. They also can be seen as a limitation of freedom.
Both assumptions and constraint are dealt with early in the project, that is probably why they are mentioned together. But further handling is different. Both are concepts that all of us come across in life, not only in projects. We always assume something as information never is complete and we are always adapting to constraints.
Thomas Saving Changes...
Peter RapinSubject Matter Expect; Project Delivery| Independent ConsultantOntario, Canada
An assumption is an estimate or guess as to a possible condition of delivery. A constraint is a limitation applied to the delivery. A constraint is very often based on an assumption. Both assumptions and constraints can change during project delivery usually based on new or different information. As both assumptions and constraints have a direct impact on project delivery it is important to know the basis of the assumptions and constraints and how the two interact. If new information changes an assumption one has to look at the impact on the constraints Although different concepts, they do work together.
Although many may find me a bit overly focused on risk management, in my opinion this is the best way of analysing the relationship between assumptions, constraints and project delivery. Saving Changes...
