Set the Direction.
Think before you commit. Reduce risk early by getting clear on what matters, who is involved, and which option is best to test.
This is the first job in the Deliver a Project model. Before real work begins, it helps you decide whether the project is worth doing and what success should look like. The aim is to get the project off to the best possible start.
What this job is about
Set the direction before effort builds around the wrong thing.
- Clarifying what the work is and why it matters
- Surfacing assumptions and risks early
- Getting the right people involved early
- Exploring options before momentum takes over
Not this job
What this job
is not about
- Locking in solutions
- Making detailed delivery decisions
- Deliver the end solution
Steps that often help in this job
Be clear on your project brief, you do not have to apply these rules in order. Start where clarity is weakest.
If you only produce one thing, make it this.
Produce a Project Brief
Start this early, fill it out as you go.
Get Expert Guidance
Bring in the right knowledge early, not after things go wrong.
View StepGet the project people on the bus
Build alignment with the people who matter most.
View StepMake Friends & Keep Them Friendly
Think ahead about who could help or hinder progress.
View StepRecognise your project is not unique
Many projects fail by believing they are unique or jumping into solutions too early.
View StepLook for Tried and Tested Options
Explore multiple options before you commit and ask yourself: is there a way
View StepMany experts will tell you: projects do not go wrong, they start wrong.
Pause and reflect before moving on. A short readiness check can help you spot gaps early.
Go deeper
Related Plays
Optional frameworks if you want more structure.
Ready to start?
Most teams begin by asking why the work exists. Start there, and work through the steps that feel most useful.
Confluity Project Model sitemap
Model overview
What are Jobs?
The model is organised into three Jobs:
Job 1: Set the Direction – shape the purpose into options and a preferred way forward.
Job 2: Prove It Works – test assumptions and reduce risk before going big.
Job 3: Make It Happen – deliver at scale and make sure people actually use what you build.
What are Simple Rules?
The model contains simple rules. These are short principles drawn from experience that help you make better decisions. Jobs, tasks, and plays help you put those rules into practice.
What is a Play?
A Play is a method or tool that helps you apply a rule or complete a task. Use the recommended Plays first for simpler projects before exploring others.
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