Steering With a Chart
Table of Contents
Map risks, dependencies, and route on one page before you announce the march - steering with a chart, not heroic improvisation.
Key Concept
- Steering with a chart means risks, dependencies, and phases are written before the public commitment - not invented after the first blocker.
- Pair to Steering Without Chart - the failure mode when motion replaces navigation.
- Count the Cost and Law of Navigation are the faith and leadership roots; this is the PM move on one page.
Level 1 - Recognize
Steering with a chart means mapping risks, route, and dependencies before the public yes.
Level 2 - Explain
Like checking tide and reef charts before leaving harbor - the crew rows with a shared picture, not hope.
Level 3 - Use
Before kickoff, write top risks, key dependencies, and phase gates on one page - review in thirty minutes, not a week of slides.
Level 4 - Connect
Risk Register and Dependency Mapping are the chart contents; Alignment Before Build makes the room agree the chart is real.
Level 5 - Create
Extend with Quarterly Planning for the ninety-day view and Weekly Planning Rhythm for chart updates when facts change.
Examples
- Glad week one had a one-page risk list - first vendor delay was already named; the crew did not panic.
- Kickoff had energy and no chart - glad Steering Without Chart taught me to write route before the all-hands.
Note Relationships
| Relationship | Wikilink | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| alternative | Steering Without Chart | Chart vs blind motion - same crew, opposite test |
| extends | PM Mindset | Planning habit inside the hub |
| extends | Risk Register | Chart content |
| extends | Law of Navigation | Leadership root - chart the course |





