What we see... Confirmation Bias | Bite Sized Project Management Thought from John Lubbock

TL;DR

Confirmation bias, our tendency to seek and find information that confirms our beliefs, can hinder project managers' ability to gain a deep understanding of their projects. By gathering raw evidence and being open to the unexpected, project managers can overcome confirmation bias and gain better project control.

Transcript

what we see depends mainly on what we look for in this short video i want to assess this quotation from john lubbock john lubbock the first baron avery was a 19th century british politician and polymath and he said that what we see depends mainly on what we look for in this quote he anticipates by over half a century the idea of confirmation bias f... Read More

Key Insights

• 📽️ Confirmation bias, the tendency to seek and find evidence that confirms our beliefs, can hinder project managers' understanding of their projects.
• 📽️ Project reporting is fundamental to the role of a project manager, providing communication, transparency, and an audit trail.
• 🍓 Gathering raw evidence and drawing conclusions from it, rather than fitting evidence to preconceived notions, helps project managers overcome confirmation bias.
• 🤗 Being open to unexpected findings and spotting subtle trends early allows project managers to maintain control and respond effectively.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is confirmation bias and how does it relate to project management?

Confirmation bias is our tendency to seek and find information that confirms what we already believe. In project management, this can prevent us from gaining a comprehensive understanding of our projects as we focus on evidence that supports our preconceived notions.

Q: Why is project reporting important for project managers?

Project reporting is important because it allows project managers to communicate with stakeholders, create transparency, and provide an audit trail. It is not just an add-on to the job, but fundamental to the role of a project manager.

Q: How can project managers overcome confirmation bias?

Project managers can overcome confirmation bias by gathering raw evidence and studying it objectively. By being open to unexpected findings and not trying to fit evidence to preconceived conclusions, project managers can gain a deeper understanding of their projects.

Q: Why is it important to spot subtle trends early in a project?

Spotting subtle trends early in a project allows project managers to respond proactively and maintain control. By being aware of unexpected developments, project managers can make necessary adjustments and prevent potential issues from escalating.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Confirmation bias is our tendency to look for and find evidence that confirms our beliefs, which can hinder project managers' understanding of their projects.

• Many project managers see project reports as a chore, but they are actually fundamental to the project management role.

• Gathering raw evidence and drawing conclusions from it, rather than fitting evidence to preconceived notions, can help project managers overcome confirmation bias.