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Model / Deliver a Project / Set the Direction / Recognise Your Project Is Not Unique
STEP 5 of 6

Recognise Your Project Is Not Unique.

Many projects fail by believing they are unique or jumping into solutions too early.

After this step, you should be clearer on

  • —Similar work has been done before
  • —What others learned from comparable projects
  • —How to use examples to win support

Your idea or project may be unique and new to you or your business, but rest assured, someone, somewhere has done something similar before.

“Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.” Margaret Mead

Your main work on this step

Questions to reflect on

You do not need to complete everything. Use what helps.

Where has something like this been done before?

If you want more support from senior management, and to avoid common pitfalls, look to how other organisations delivered similar projects, and what resources they used. Identify and learn lessons from those who have achieved similar outcomes or from projects with similar components.

  • Who has achieved similar outcomes before?
  • Which projects have similar components?
  • What was the actual cost, how long did it take, and what surprised them?

Rough notes are fine.

What can we learn before we commit?

A 2024 study by the universities of Oxford and Copenhagen into 219 IT projects found that 1 in 5 teams rated their project as highly unique. They ran 45% higher cost overruns on average. The more unique you think your project is, the worse it performs.

  • Where are we treating this as more unique than it really is?
  • What examples would help others back the work?
  • What lessons can we borrow before we move forward?

Rough notes are fine.

OptionalUse a Readiness Check to pause and reflect before moving on.

Readiness Check

Go deeper

Related Plays

Optional frameworks if you want more structure.

Find Similar Projects

Learn from comparable projects so you can avoid repeating predictable mistakes.

Explore Play

Run Learning Meetings

Use structured meetings to capture what others learned and what it means for your project.

Explore Play

Ready to move on?

Once you have looked outside and learned from comparable work, you are in a better position to compare real options instead of jumping at the first one.

Next: Look for Tried & Tested Options 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.

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