Uncertainty Has Many Friends

A manager trying to reduce uncertainty in a project might logically seek assistance from those involved with the project who possess specialized knowledge in various areas of the project. As everyone is committed to the success of the project, this appears to be a reasonable assumption. Unfortunately, many individuals and organizations within a project benefit from the existance of uncertainty, or sometimes from the perception of uncertainty. We will not be effective at managing our projects unless we understand the role played by self-interest, and the many ways uncertainty is used to serve self-interest.