CTG Pro Tip: If Any Governance Artifact Takes More Than 45 Minutes to Complete, It’s Too Big

Introduction: The Pitfall of Overcomplicated Governance

In the project management discipline, governance artifacts such as project charters, risk registers, and status reports are essential tools that guide decision-making and ensure accountability. However, when these documents become overly complex, they can hinder progress rather than facilitate it.

At Carlone Technology Group (CTG), we advocate for a lean approach to governance documentation. Our guiding principle is straightforward: if creating or updating a governance artifact takes more than 45 minutes, it’s too big.

The 45-Minute Rule: Embracing Lean Governance

The 45-minute rule serves as a benchmark to keep governance artifacts concise and effective. This approach aligns with lean documentation principles, which emphasize delivering just enough information to support decision-making without unnecessary complexity.

Why 45 Minutes?

• Efficiency: Time-consuming documents can delay critical decisions.
• Clarity: Concise artifacts are easier to understand and use.
• Focus: Limiting time spent encourages prioritization of essential information and forces collaboration with key decision-makers and stakeholders.

Implementing Lean Governance at CTG

At CTG, we integrate the 45-minute rule into our project delivery framework to enhance efficiency and maintain focus on value-driven outcomes.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Identify Core Purpose: Determine the essential objective of the artifact.
2. Use Templates: Employ standardized templates to streamline creation.
3. Set Time Limits: Allocate a maximum of 45 minutes for drafting or updating.
4. Review for Clarity: Ensure the document communicates its message succinctly.
5. Solicit Feedback: Gather input from stakeholders to confirm usefulness.

Benefits of the 45-Minute Rule

• Improved Productivity: Less time spent on documentation means more time for execution.
• Enhanced Communication: Clear, concise documents facilitate better understanding among team members.
• Agility: Quickly produced artifacts allow for faster response to project changes.

Conclusion: Embrace Lean for Effective Governance

By adhering to the 45-minute rule, organizations can streamline their governance processes, reduce waste, and focus on delivering value. At CTG, this approach is integral to our commitment to efficient and effective project delivery.

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This tip was originally presented in our post, Bridging the Gap: Why 2025 Is the Year of Hybrid Project Management 📚