Project Management 101
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Weston & Sampson · AEC LEAD
Weston & Sampson
Project Management · Module 1 · Week 2 Decision Guide

Module 1 · Project Pursuit · Week 2 · Reference

Go / No-Go Decision Guide

Complete the 2025 form. Support each answer. Record the decision.

One-page reference · front and backVersion 2.0
Signature lineThe form records the decision. Evidence supports the decision. Judgment makes the decision.

The decision you record creates the project assumptions and planning inputs introduced in Week 1.

Process: Lead→Opportunity→Go / No-Go→Proposal→Award
1

Read the RFP

Read the RFP in its entirety before answering any question.

Mark: mandatory requirements · evaluation criteria · required licenses · requested format (Word or InDesign)

Marketing cannot guarantee support with less than two weeks lead time. Confirm before answering Question 2.
2

Answer the Automatic No-Go Questions (hard gates)

Question 1
Do we meet all minimum and comparative evaluation criteria?
  • ✓Eligibility met
  • ✓Required experience
  • ✓Comparative criteria met
2025 form question
We meet all the minimum and comparative evaluation criteria (demonstrated at kickoff).
Source recorded in Notes
Question 2
Can we commit the time required for a responsive proposal?
  • ✓Technical lead available
  • ✓Core team available
  • ✓Proposal schedule achievable
2025 form question
We can commit the time and attention to complete the proposal on schedule and remain responsive throughout the process.
Source recorded in Notes

A No answer to either question stops the pursuit. Record the reason in Notes.

3

Complete Sections A Through D

AQualification Minimums
Licenses (10) — Automatic No-Go, see Step 2.
BStrategic Fit & Positioning
Capture (10) · Awareness (10) · Relationship (10) · Wrote RFP (5) · Ongoing target (10) · Initiative (10) · Differentiation (5)
CProfitability & Resources
Profitable fee (10)
DOperational Readiness
Regional experience (10) · Staff in area (5) · Submit below 70 (5) · Emerging market (context)
4

Interpret the Score

Automatic No-Go? — YES → No-Go
  NO → Score 70 or higher? — YES → Recommendation
NO → Document rationale

The score does not override an automatic No-Go answer.

5

Record the Recommendation

Final Recommendation
GONO-GO
Score _____________________ / 100
Reason _________________________________________________ Required if score is below 70.
Owner ________________Next Action ________________Due ________________

Weston & Sampson · The Weston & Sampson Way of Project Management · Module 1, Week 2 · Page 1 of 2

!

Support the judgment

Support the judgment

Evidence Standard
ConfirmedSupported by a sourceUse in the decision
InferredReasonable but unverifiedState the assumption
UnknownEvidence unavailableAssign follow-up

Classify each basis before answering Y or N. Record missing information as Unknown and resolve it before selecting Yes on an automatic No-Go question.

Automatic No-Go and Score Logic
Automatic No-Go?YES →No-Go
NO →Score 70+?YES →Recommendation
NO →Document rationale

The score does not override an automatic No-Go answer.

Complete Before the Pursuit Proceeds
Business
NET Revenue
Win probability
Technical
Champion
Hours
Capacity
Proposal
Format
Marketing hours
Confirm
Regional or Client Mgr
Record
Go or No-Go
Notes
Who Confirms What
Technical ChampionOwns technical approach.
Regional or Client MgrConfirms regional and client position.
Marketing LeadConfirms proposal support.
Principal in Charge (PIC)Final commitment.
Discipline LeaderConfirms staffing and pricing.
Forecast Inputs
Estimated NET Revenue

The projected Net Service Revenue for the opportunity, recorded in Vantagepoint.

  • What portion of the fee is Weston & Sampson's own service
  • What direct or subconsultant costs are excluded
  • What evidence supports the estimate
Win Probability
  • What evidence supports the percentage
  • What could raise or lower it
  • What unknown is affecting confidence
Estimated NET Revenue × Win Probability = Weighted Opportunity Value

This becomes a planning input until the opportunity is awarded.

Pause and Ask
  1. Automatic No-Go unclear
  2. Scope, fee, or schedule assumption lacks evidence
  3. Staffing availability remains unconfirmed
  4. Relationship replacing evidence
  5. Probability unsupported
  6. Decision cannot change
Review the full Written Lesson and Prework
Read the reasoning behind each section of this guide.
Back to the Written Lesson

Created by AEC LEAD LLC, produced by Zweig Group. Companion to the Weston & Sampson 2025 Go/No-Go Form. · Page 2 of 2