Your plan is well defined and the team is executing to it.  But things can and do
change over time.  Unexpected problems or opportunities arise.  Competitors don't
sit still and neither does the marketplace.  Your key assumptions need to be tested
constantly.
Any changes in the basic assumptions on which the plan was built must be
evaluated and dealt with promptly.  The price of delay may be to continue down a
path that is no longer viable.  When your team “loses the forest for the trees,” we can
provide a broader, outside perspective to make sure nothing critical is being
overlooked.  If major shifts need to be made, we can help your team adjust flexibly,
dynamically and confidently.
PRODUCT CONNECTION
During the First Development Project
Has the project schedule slipped?  Has the market window moved in?  What
are the implications of this narrowing gap between when the product will be
ready and when it is demanded?  And what can you do about it?
Are you still projecting performance that will meet the customer's expectations?
 Have those expectations changed?  Does the target specification need to
change (can it?) or do you need new strategies to close the performance gap?
Are projected manufacturing costs in line with the original model?  If not, what
are the implications for your expected gross margin and selling price?  Will the
market accept a higher price?  What can you do to get the cost back in line?
How is the team functioning?  Do you have the right people in place with the
right skills?  Are the overall resources adequate to keep the plan on track?
What about the critical risk areas?  Have the mitigation strategies dealt
adequately with these issues?  If not, what can the team do to get the risk back
under control?