STEP 2 of 6

Get Expert Guidance.

Find someone who has done this kind of work before, and learn from their scars.

After this step, you should be clearer on

–Finding someone with relevant experience
–Testing your thinking against reality
–Avoiding avoidable mistakes early
–Building confidence in the direction

Find an experienced person who has led similar work before. Think of them as a guide, maybe a mentor, someone who inspires confidence because they have delivered outcomes like this before.

This step helps you avoid avoidable mistakes, reduce stress, and borrow judgement early instead of learning everything the hard way.

Your main work on this step

Questions to reflect on

There are no right answers here. You do not need to complete everything. Use what helps.

Who has done something close to this before?

Look for someone who has led similar work and can speak honestly about what made it hard, what mattered most, and what they would do differently.

Who has delivered similar outcomes before?
Who understands this kind of environment?
Who will tell us the truth, not just what we want to hear?

Rough notes are fine.

How will we use their guidance well?

Expert help works best when you bring it in early and ask focused questions. Make the help practical, not vague.

What do we most need help with right now?
How often do we need their input?
How will we act on what we learn?

Rough notes are fine.

OptionalPause and reflect before moving forward. There are no right answers, and this will not block progress.

Use Readiness Check

Some teams use a Play to go deeper or add structure

Plays that support this Step

Choose a play if you want more structure.

Select a Master Builder

Choose the right person to guide the work with relevant experience, sound judgement, and enough time to help.

Start Play

Check Your Experience

Check whether the needed experience already exists in your team, or whether you need outside help.

Start Play

What you can do next

Once you have access to the right experience and a clearer sense of what to trust, you can bring the right people together around the work or return here at any time.

Continue to Get the project people on the bus Return to Set the Direction

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.

Downloads