For anyone who has ever undertaken an art project, that is, a project where there is no definite roadmap to completion, the pain from underestimating the time necessary to complete the project is all too familiar. You may have thought the project would take three days to complete, only to see the time balloon to a week, a month, maybe many months.
This happened to me today. While working on my music video for Orville Peck as The Lone Rider in “Big Sky”, unexpected challenges arose. While this was an opportunity for expanding my video editing skills, it also meant that I would need to invest more time into the project that initially intended. The two questions I now needed to answer was:
(i) Do I continue with the project, or abandon it?
(ii) If I do choose to continue, how best to navigate the remainder of the work?
To answer these questions, I went through the following ten steps.
- Assess the situation:
Assess the reasons behind the project running overtime. Identify the factors that contributed to the delay, such as scope creep, unforeseen challenges, resource constraints, or personal circumstances. Understanding the root causes will help you make informed decisions moving forward.
- Evaluate the project’s importance:
Consider the significance of the project in relation to your goals, aspirations, and commitments. Assess whether completing the project aligns with your artistic vision and whether it holds value for you personally or professionally. Sometimes, even if a project exceeds the planned timeline, it may still be worthwhile to continue if it aligns with your long-term objectives.
- Revisit the project scope:
Review the original project scope and compare it to the current status. Determine if the project has deviated significantly from the initial plan or if it has expanded beyond your original intentions. This evaluation will provide insight into whether the additional time invested is justified by the project’s evolving scope.
- Consider the artistic integrity:
Assess whether continuing the project will compromise its artistic integrity. Sometimes, stretching a project beyond its intended timeframe may result in rushed or subpar work, diluting the impact or quality you envisioned. Evaluate whether the final outcome would still be representative of your artistic vision, even with the extended timeline.
- Reevaluate your resources:
Take stock of the resources required to complete the project, including time, finances, materials, and emotional energy. Consider whether you have the necessary resources to continue without jeopardizing other commitments or projects. If the project is draining you physically, mentally, or emotionally, it might be wise to reassess your priorities.
- Seek external opinions:
Reach out to trusted individuals within your artistic community or mentors for their perspectives. Engage in conversations about your project’s progress, the reasons for the delay, and the potential impact of continuing or discontinuing. Gathering external insights can provide valuable viewpoints that you may have overlooked and help you make a more informed decision.
- Prioritize your goals:
Reflect on your short-term and long-term artistic goals. Consider whether completing this project aligns with those goals or if it will significantly hinder your progress in other areas. Sometimes, it’s necessary to prioritize certain projects over others, especially when juggling multiple commitments.
- Break the project into phases:
If continuing the project seems viable, consider breaking it down into smaller, manageable phases. This approach allows you to set realistic milestones and deadlines, ensuring that the project progresses without overwhelming you. Breaking down the project also provides an opportunity to reevaluate the scope and make any necessary adjustments.
- Assess the consequences of discontinuation:
Evaluate the consequences of stopping the project prematurely. Consider the impact on your reputation, relationships, artistic growth, and future opportunities. Weigh the potential benefits of completing the project against the potential drawbacks of leaving it unfinished.
- Plan for future contingencies:
Once you’ve made a decision about whether to continue or discontinue the project, take note of the lessons learned. Identify what led to the delay and consider how you can avoid similar situations in the future. Establish a plan for managing your time, resources, and expectations more effectively, allowing you to navigate future projects more efficiently.
Working through those ten steps led me to the following answers to my two questions:
(i) Do I continue with the project, or abandon it? Continue. I do have the resources required to finish the work, and the project does align with my short-term and long-term artistic goals.
(ii) If I do choose to continue, how best to navigate the remainder of the work? Break the project into smaller, more manageable phases, while also devoting time outside the project to further developing my video editing skills.
So, while my music video for Orville Peck as The Lone Rider in “Big Sky” will not be completed within the original timeline, it will be completed. More importantly, new skills will be learned, and the estimated time for my next project will be much more accurate.