The further ahead in the timeline of a project you make key decisions, the more powerful those decisions are. They have better leverage over the whole project, they’re made under less pressure, and they’re more closely aligned to a holistic vision for the entire project.
If you do nothing else, try to write out a vision that contains major decision points at the beginning of any project. Tactically, things will happen – you’ll pivot and react. But reactions shouldn’t be major decisions. They should be adaptations to keep you close to your vision despite the realities of the road conditions.
If “road conditions” cause you to want to make such a major decision that the project is changing – then you’re starting a new project.
The Opportunity Machine 