Project Management Framework
Initiation - Assumptions and Constraints
Definition
Assumptions are circumstances and events that need to occur for the project to be successful, but are outside the total control of the project team. Assumptions are accepted as true and are often without proof or demonstration.
Constraints are things that might restrict, limit, or regulate the project. Generally constraints are outside the total control of the project team.
Why is this important?
Assumptions that prove to be incorrect can have a significant impact on a project. It is important that project participants, stakeholders and executives understand and agree with the assumptions before the project begins. This way, it is more likely that an incorrect assumption will be detected before it can impact the project.
All projects have constraints, and these need to be defined from the outset. If the project manager understands the limitations under which a project must be conducted, including the project environment or parameters (timeframes and deadlines, funding, skill levels, resource availability, etc.), they will do a better job of developing the project plan.
Early project risk analysis often uses the assumptions and constraints as a starting point. This provides a foundation for building mitigation strategies for the most significant assumptions that, if proven incorrect, could seriously impact the project. Likewise, it provides for the evaluation of constraints and the opportunity to manage them to positively impact the project or prevent a negative impact.
Instruction
Briefly and clearly describe any project assumptions related to business, technology, resources, scope, expectations, or schedules. List the project assumptions based on the current knowledge today.
Describe the principal constraints and limitations impacting the project. Very often, these include timelines, resource availability or competence, funding, and other important environmental issues within the organization.
It is important to include any major dependencies the project relies on either as assumptions or constraints.
If assumptions and constraints are invalidated or change at a later date, adjust the activities and estimates in the project plan accordingly.
How to scale
List only major assumptions or consider listing everything in detail. Assumptions and constraints tend to exist around resource availability issues. Give extra consideration to cost, timing, and people issues surrounding the project. Often during the Project Initiation Phase, many aspects of a project may still be undetermined or unknown. Identifying the unknowns in a project and making assumptions about them is one of the first steps in developing clarity.
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Assumptions and Constraints Examples
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