Is the traditional triple constraints of time, cost, scope a complete measure of project outcomes?
I recently viewed an on demand webinar that brings to light other forms of triple constraints. Risks, Value Sustainability is one set. Passion, Purpose, Dedication is yet another.
If you have seen this webinar please resend it. Wish to view it again but can’t find. Saving Changes...
The iron triangle/triple constraint represents "table stakes" for what is expected. A better measure of success is found when we consider stakeholder satisfaction and successful realization of business outcomes.
Kiron Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Richard,
all kinds of triple parameters to describe the world are just a frame, a mental concept. Three are better than two, dichotomies, which tend to create conflict and tensions.
The traditional mental concept of 3 parameters are seen as constraints, as they are measurable and limit the space of a PM. Looking at the talent triangle as another example, those are not measurable nor limited. Time, cost and scope are exactly what you can measure to achieve widely predefined outputs/deliverables. You need to measure something in order to manage, set baselines and monitor progress against them.
Risks, values and sustainability are subjective in nature (in contrast to time, cost), their measurement depends on who is looking at them, which blurs the their value as objective measure for progress and success.
Passion, purpose and dedication are partly measuring the attitudes of individuals, but leave out the more important attributes of communities, teams and their contribution to project success. Two warring enemies can both be passioned, dedicated and full of purpose.
I wrote an article introducing outwards directed triple parameters, describing programs in contrast to projects: strategy/benefits, stakeholders and governance. Program managers look outwards along these dimensions.
They are all important. However, those 3 classic ones(cost, scope, time) are generally the key for most of these (customer satisfaction, etc.) Saving Changes...
Scope is the entirety of thing created by the project. That includes not just what the product/thing is or does but also how it relates to both the business environment and the intended operational environment so risks, customer satisfaction, business strategy, sustainability, etc. are all part of the scope. Some of those are often called the "illities" like operability, sustainability, and reliability, (and others that don't end in illity like safety) which are all qualities that differentiate good vs. bad solutions.
The high level definition of how the product fulfills the scope is the product architecture. The architecture frequently has many views such as requirements, purpose, and illities so while it all might be neatly summarized as scope in the classic triple constraint model, there is a lot that goes into what scope really means. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
You can deliver a project within the triple constraints and yet, the client might not be satisfied with the value delivered. Your measure of the project success should be customer centric and based on value provided. Saving Changes...
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