Pilot projects and real "failures"

(From yourte.com)

I've been mentoring someone over the past few weeks as they start to put together a project plan. The sort of work I take particular delight in, since each project is different, and it's always a two-way exchange of skills, experience and inspiration.

The project has evolved from a successful one she ran over three years; one that turned sour for a number of reasons that I can't really go into. However that experience have had profound effects on her and her project. (I'll have to give her a pseudonym, her and she is just too annoying - how about Sue.)

What kind of effects? Well we can start with some negative ones like fear, an aversion to unpleasant local politics, and a caution about operating as an association. But on the positive side, Sue has a much strengthened passion to provide the services for children that are still needed and no longer being met. And of course a long list of lessons learned.

One of my thoughts has been comparing this experience with a pilot project. I have also recently been involved in a project that has succeeded a pilot project that I was not involved with. Although not comparing like with like, I believe there is a profound difference between the experience of a first project and that of a pilot project.

The idea of pilot projects at least is that mistakes and failures are sanctioned. A second bite at the cherry is generally expected, although the role of pilot projects is also to demonstrate unworkable ideas, and so some should have no subsequent project.

With a first project however, I would say there is a far higher degree of engagement and commitment to success. No second chance is expected or planned for: the necessity of survival and the desire for success are immanent, pervasive drivers. And failure is sometimes a very costly experience. In Sue's case, the fall-out has lasted for over a year, both for the project and for her personally. The hardship and courage she and others involved have demonstrated has been an inspiration. The lessons they learned are visceral and profound, and making a noticable difference to our work now.

So one question that occurs is whether it is possible to make pilot projects more like first projects? If so, would it be a good thing, given the apparent level of pain associated with it?

My current view, and one that we're building in to the planning, is that this project will benefit from planned evolution. Start with the minimum viable proposition, and adapt and grow according to changing needs, constraints and visions. This approach includes identifying when the 'first/pilot' project is completed to take the opportunity to review it plan it and do the next thing. It isn't a first "one and only project", but is also something like a pilot that has the same reality score as the real thing.