The Evolving Priority Triangle : Navigating Speed, Quality, and Cost

Guess nothing new for most readers but a recall never hurts.

The Priority Triangle has long been a guiding framework, articulating the trade-offs between speed, quality, and cost. This triangle suggests that at any given time, only two of these three attributes can be prioritized. This has been a time-tested truth for projects, being strategy, organizational, it projects,… across industries.

The triangle "forces" to select 2 of the 3 , having them all has proven to be difficult :

1.????? Low Cost + Fast = lower quality

2.????? Low Cost + High Quality = lower speed of implementation

3.????? High Quality + Fast = higher cost (although at a certain level adding cost will not improve speed or quality anymore)

With the rapid evolution of technology, IT projects have seen an additional layer of complexity with the infusion of security concerns and automation challenges. A recent study by the European Union highlighted for example that nearly 50% of organizations reported security breaches, underscoring the increasing importance of this factor. Furthermore, to meet market demands or organizational needs, the level of automation employed becomes also a crucial determinant. The trade-off here is apparent, it may also potentially compromise on quality or security if not managed adeptly.

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The triangle for IT projects is as such:

1.????? Low Cost + Fast implementation or high automation = lower quality and/or security

2.????? Low Cost + High Quality and/or Security = lower speed of implementation

3.????? High Quality and/or Security + Fast implementation or high automation = higher cost (although at a certain level adding cost will not improve speed or quality anymore)

In recent years, Software as a Service (SaaS) and cloud solutions have been adopted rapidly for the good altering the dynamics of the Priority Triangle. SaaS models, with their subscription-based structure, offer a blend of cost-effectiveness, reasonable speed of implementation, and an acceptable level of quality. However, while SaaS solutions mitigate some of the traditional challenges posed by the Priority Triangle, they introduce a new trade-off: flexibility. The predefined functionalities and configurations often limit customization, thereby potentially constraining an organization’s ability to tailor solutions to unique needs. This loss in flexibility is a price paid for the benefits of reduced cost, improved speed or high automation, and maintained or increased quality & security.

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This however does not change the fundamentals. Take the time to select what the key criteria are for your project. One cannot have it all. You will have to make a choice somewhere in the triangle.

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A common mistake often made especially during budget or scope process remains: bring it at the table beforehand