Think Carefully Before You Commit

This chapter outlines the importance of conducting pre-project analysis to avoid wasting resources on projects that may not be successful. It explains how the IpOp Model helps to screen ideas and have a realistic view of the required effort before allocating substantial resources. It introduces the concept of the four IpOp Reviews, which serve as a decision-making process to assess the feasibility and potential of an Opportunity. The chapter emphasizes the need for iterations and the Quick and Dirty approach to gather information and refine answers to key questions. It also highlights the role of Unknowns or uncertainties. The IpOp Model can be used to implement the recommendations of ISO 56007 that stresses the need to identify and catalog uncertainties but without explaining how. A rigorous management of all uncertainties/Unknowns optimizes the use of resources.