Three levels of execution risk
A simple lens for identifying why delivery feels harder than expected.
When execution slips, risk usually sits in one of three layers:
- Task risk: the work itself is larger or less understood than expected.
- Coordination risk: the dependency graph is denser than the plan assumed.
- Decision risk: the team cannot move because choices are late or unclear.
Most teams focus on the first layer because it is easiest to see. The other two are often where schedules actually fail.