Many people associate project success with what happens during execution — schedules, budgets, construction activities. However, some of the most important decisions are made long before work begins.

Project definition. Stakeholder alignment. Governance structure. Risk identification. Investment decisions.

In complex infrastructure programs, success is often determined before the first activity takes place on site. Execution matters — but execution is frequently the result of preparation.

The strongest projects are rarely the ones that react best to problems. They are often the ones that anticipated them. Infrastructure delivery starts long before construction.

Originally published on LinkedIn as part of the Delivery Beyond Complexity newsletter. Read on LinkedIn →