Nobody knows which assumptions the plan depends on. Where do we begin?
Invisible planning assumptionsMake the uncertain conditions behind the plan explicit. Assign each important assumption an owner, a validation date, and a response if it proves false.
What to do now
- Extract assumptions from estimates and contracts
- Rank them by decision impact
- Assign validation actions and dates
- Update the plan when evidence changes
When to escalate
Escalate when
A critical assumption remains untested at an irreversible decision.
Who decides
The accountable sponsor
Example
An integration plan records API access as an assumption and schedules confirmation before development starts.
Mistake to avoid
Hiding assumptions in presentation footnotes.
Prevent a repeat
At each stage decision, check that the expected outcome, owner and justification remain valid.
Suggested ApprovedFlow setup
- Projects
- Documents
- Approvals
Keep the decision brief with the project and request a recorded sponsor decision before the next commitment. See the platform
Related cases
- Our project depends on a funding approval that is not confirmed. Can work begin?Unfunded commitment risk
- Our business case assumes savings that nobody can explain. Should we accept it?Unsupported benefit assumptions
- Our risk register is long, but nobody acts on it. How do we fix that?Risk log without ownership
- We have data, but nobody trusts it. Where should we start?Unreliable reporting foundations