The Rules of Management, 3rd Edition

RULE 56

Have a Plan B and a Plan C

You have to plan for disasters. You’ve got to build a ‘what if’ clause into everything you do. If you don’t, you’ll be caught looking inept. Never assume it’s all going right – it isn’t. Never assume you’ll always do OK – you won’t. Never assume technology will always work – it won’t. Never assume you’ve got enough time – you haven’t. Never assume they’ll turn up on time – they won’t. Never assume you won’t forget things – you will. Never assume Plan A will work – it won’t. Never assume Plan B will also work – one day that won’t either.

I think you might get the picture by now. When things go wrong – and they will – be ready to improvise, adapt and overcome. Say you’re giving a presentation and have mapped ...