Assigning Work

This chapter covers how the assignment of work directly influences a project’s chances of success, especially in high-uncertainty environments. It introduces expected utility theory as a lens for understanding how individuals assess risk, value, and effort, and explains how mismatches between task difficulty and perceived capability can silently derail progress. Beyond availability, effective work assignment requires deep knowledge of the team’s strengths, confidence levels, and motivation. When done well, it unlocks ownership, learning, and contribution. When misaligned, it creates delay, avoidance, or quiet defection.