Levels of Rigour

When time is a constraint, it becomes wide and shallow vs. deep and narrow projects.

Exploratory

• Criticality: Low

• Used for brainstorming and generating initial ideas.

• Decisions made at this stage are often experimental and involve minimal risk.

• Focus is on identifying potential directions without detailed analysis.

Foundational

• Criticality: Moderate

• Involves basic assessments and preliminary design considerations.

• Decisions are based on initial data and stakeholder input, guiding project scope.

• Important for setting the groundwork but not yet highly consequential.

Analytical

• Criticality: High

• Requires detailed technical analysis, simulations, and modelling.

• Decisions are informed by rigorous evaluations of options and potential outcomes.

• Critical for ensuring the technical feasibility and reliability of designs.

Validation

• Criticality: Very High

• Involves thorough testing, validation, and compliance with industry standards.

• Decisions made here have significant implications for safety, performance, and regulatory adherence.

• Essential for minimising risks and confirming that designs meet requirements.

Strategic

• Criticality: Maximum

• Involves comprehensive technical planning and alignment with long-term organizational goals.

• Decisions impact not only current projects but also future technologies and market positioning.

• Requires extensive data analysis, expert insights, and integration of cross-disciplinary knowledge.