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Re-qualified Yes

05 September 2011

Using a qualified ‘yes’ helps keep the size of my commitments manageable and lets me get started on something I may not know how to finish yet.

The qualified ‘yes’ was intended to be used before starting work, to agree the rules of engagement; the goal of the task, how much time we’ll spend and which things we won’t do.

Usually the scope of a task fluctuates as we make progress, because we discover what’s really necessary to get it ‘done’.

To keep expectations aligned with current goals and constraints, and prevent surprises, I re-qualify ‘yes’ on a regular basis.

I think of the re-qualified ‘yes’ as a status report that includes ‘opt-in’ terms and conditions; an opportunity for everyone to decide if this task is still worth our time and attention.