The CFO at my work likes to explain this Matrix to young Project Managers, to the point where it has been named ‘The Spong Matrix’. Key message is that Bad News Early is equivalent to Good News Late.
Typically this will come out when some bright spark has tripped over a few million upside in the last week of quarter and they are taking a victory lap. The problem is, that if you didn’t forecast it, you either intentionally hid it or you just got lucky. If you got lucky, who’s to say you won’t be unlucky next time?
The deeper point is that ‘Demonstration of Control’ and predictability more important than great results. You can’t guarantee great results year on year. If you don’t miss your targets occasionally the bar isn’t high enough. The way to survive the misses is to let people know early and give them the confidence that you are in control of your project. And if you do get lucky, bank it until next month 🙂
Notes from a small Life 