It's a very simple mantra I follow - Play on your strengths Utilize all your existing resources Keep the mind cool and peaceful And bingo ! You navigate through difficult situations easily !

There will always be external events which hamper Plans in a critical program. What has helped me in such situations is ensuring transparency on the status to all stakeholders and working jointly with them to come up with alternate solutions. Building buffer in the schedule, taking an MVP approach and thinking extensively of all possible external dependencies while planning will definitely help but the above 2 aspects, Transparency and Collaboration are really key in such situations!

When dealing with external dependencies beyond your control, staying flexible and proactive is essential. Start by identifying key dependencies early to anticipate risks. Have backup options ready in case things don’t go as planned. Keep regular communication with stakeholders to manage expectations and provide updates. Build flexibility into your project timeline to handle delays without affecting the final outcome. Strengthen relationships with external partners to resolve issues more smoothly. Keep track of the status of dependencies and adjust your approach as needed. Lastly, take note of the lessons learned for future reference to improve handling of external dependencies in upcoming projects.

Always better to build in flexibility to your project timelines. However good the planning is external factors cannot be predicted. Also, regular communication to your stakeholders is critical.

1. Stay composed and assess the situation – It’s essential to remain calm and evaluate all factors at play before deciding on a course of action. 2. Identify key stakeholders – When something is beyond your control, work to identify the right stakeholders who can influence the situation. Collaborating with them can help bring the situation within a manageable scope. 3. Maintain transparent communication – Keeping stakeholders informed helps align expectations and allows for discussions on redesigning strategies or coping with delays. 4. Embrace the opportunity for innovation – External challenges can also serve as a catalyst for creative problem-solving. These moments often spark innovations that lead to better long-term solutions.