--- title: To Improve Project Performance Optimize Don't Compromise description: There are eight steps that easily move your projects to optimization - more value for less cost. Avoid unnecessary compromise. --- [![Totally Optimized Projects](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TOPLogos/TOP%20Header%20logo2020.png?width=338&height=93&name=TOP%20Header%20logo2020.png "Totally Optimized Projects")](https://www.totallyoptimizedprojects.com) ![architectural-design-architecture-blue-sky-buildings-442577](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/hs-fs/hubfs/architectural-design-architecture-blue-sky-buildings-442577.jpg?width=5472&name=architectural-design-architecture-blue-sky-buildings-442577.jpg "architectural-design-architecture-blue-sky-buildings-442577") # To Improve Project Performance Optimize Don't Compromise [![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png) ](https://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com%2Ftop-thinking%2Fto-improve-project-performance-optimize-dont-compromise%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on linkedin](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png) ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com%2Ftop-thinking%2Fto-improve-project-performance-optimize-dont-compromise%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on twitter](https://7528304.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528304/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/twitter-color.png?width=24&name=twitter-color.png) ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com%2Ftop-thinking%2Fto-improve-project-performance-optimize-dont-compromise%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com%2Ftop-thinking%2Fto-improve-project-performance-optimize-dont-compromise%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on email](https://7528311.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528311/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/email-color.png?width=24&name=email-color.png) ](mailto:?subject=Check+out+https%3A%2F%2Fblog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com%2Ftop-thinking%2Fto-improve-project-performance-optimize-dont-compromise%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail&body=Check+out+https%3A%2F%2Fblog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com%2Ftop-thinking%2Fto-improve-project-performance-optimize-dont-compromise%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) Last updated: May 11, 2020 There are eight steps that easily move your projects to optimization - more value for less cost. Avoid unnecessary compromise. --- ## What does it mean to optimize?  > *"To dramatically improve project performance by increasing the value delivered while reducing the costs of delivery."   -Jed Simms* > *   * To some, the shift from compromise to optimize seems like an impossible dream. But is it? Optimization is not unreasonable. To dramatically improve project performance all you have to do is: | 1. | Clearly outline exactly what you intend to achieve – and define this in a set of clear, specific, measurable business outcome statements (SMART goals) | *Most projects don’t ever do this.* | | --- | --- | --- | | 2. | Define your business requirements in end-to-end process step terms | *(most projects use functions and features)* | | 3. | Define and quantify your ‘value equation’ – the business value the project is going to deliver | *(most business cases only have a spot for a list of ‘benefits’ and another for the ‘ROI’ - this is inadequate)* | | 4. | Optimize the project – deleting or modifying high cost/low value elements to deliver, say, at least 90% of the value for around 60% of the original cost. | *(most projects don’t know which elements are high cost and low value)* | | 5. | Focus the whole project on realising the business case’s value equation – delivering the business outcomes, benefits and value in full | *(most projects use the business case to get funding, and then shelve and forget it)* | | 6. | Treat the whole project from day-1 as a ‘change project’ *(most projects see change as an activity they’ll get around towards the end of the project)* |   | | 7. | Deliver benefits progressively throughout the project *(most projects see benefits as something that is delivered at the end or after the project)* |   | | 8. | Train the governance team to own, protect and deliver the value equation and be measured on the delivery of this value *(most governance teams wonder why they’re there).* |   | These eight steps – many of which are missing on most projects – will move you significantly towards optimization. And they are not difficult to do. Topics: [Value Delivery](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/value-delivery), [Value Equation](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/value-equation), [Program / Project delivery](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/program-project-delivery) ### Further Reading   #### Footnotes [1] ... --- ###### Revision History First published: [![Simms, J.](https://hubspot-no-cache-ap1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/467424/2854883b-1600-46fc-9eaf-1e12fb465102.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-ap1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/467424/2854883b-1600-46fc-9eaf-1e12fb465102) (Apr 2011) as "To Improve Project Performance Optimize Don't Compromise" Updated: [![Chapman, A.](https://hubspot-no-cache-ap1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/467424/0cd0ed44-5c71-45ed-895d-2b8bc841e12b.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-ap1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/467424/0cd0ed44-5c71-45ed-895d-2b8bc841e12b) (March 2020), Revisions and Corrections ### TOPics - [Benefits Management (29)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/benefits-management) - [Business Case (24)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/business-case) - [Business Simplification (5)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/business-simplification) - [Capability Development (38)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/capability-development) - [Capital Investment (24)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/capital-investment) © TOTALLY OPTIMIZED PROJECTS 2026 [**](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/to-improve-project-performance-optimize-dont-compromise#)