Applying The Art of War to Modern Project Delivery
“Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems.” — Sun Tzu
Projects don’t always fail due to external pressures or assaults.
Often, it’s the small things left unchecked, combined with internal disputes and competing agendas, that shift a project off course.
Having worked across projects ranging from half a million to $5.4+ billion over the past two decades, one approach has consistently stood out in addressing these challenges.
This approach draws on The Art of War, written by Sun Tzu (5th century BC), an ancient Chinese general whose strategies have influenced some of history’s greatest leaders, and continues to resonate in business today.
Below is a high-level summary of ten key strategies, based on Karen McCreadie’s Sun Tzu’s The Art of War (Infinite Success), which translates these principles into practical, modern insights.
Tactics to Consider When Facing Complex Project Challenges
1. Act Fast
“Cleverness has never been associated with long delays.” — Sun Tzu
Prolonged disagreements between teams, partners or stakeholders drain morale, time and resources.
Ask yourself:What issue has been sitting unresolved for too long?
Act early, before it escalates.
2. Pick Your Battles
“Pick battles big enough to matter, small enough to win.” — Jonathan Kozol
To minimise risk, understand your internal and external stakeholders — what drives them, and what matters to them.
Be clear on your project’s negotiables and non-negotiables to avoid misalignment and unrealistic expectations.
Before engaging, ask: Why should they care about this project?
3. Run with Opportunities
Remain flexible and responsive to changing conditions. When opportunities arise, make the most of them.
Ask: What can be leveraged (connections, timing, resources) to strengthen outcomes?
4. Turn Misfortune into Gain
Challenges are inevitable. The key is how you respond.
Ask: What opportunity exists within this situation?
5. Size Does Matter
“It is not the big that beat the small, but the fast that beat the slow.” — Rupert Murdoch
Prioritise what matters most and stay alert to disruption — from people, technology or external forces.
Even strong supporters today may challenge you tomorrow.
Where could friction emerge over time?
6. Ensure the Big Picture is Grounded
“The belief that one’s own view of reality is the only reality is the most dangerous of all delusions.” — Paul Watzlawick
Leaders can sometimes make decisions or promises that impact delivery more than expected.
Balanced teams matter. Having people who can challenge thinking constructively strengthens outcomes.
Ask: Who in your team provides objective, grounded input?
7. Stay Humble
“Humility leads to strength… it is the highest form of self-respect to admit mistakes and make amends.” — John McCloy
Mistakes happen. Acknowledge them, address them, and move forward.
Avoiding or denying issues erodes trust and ultimately, will cost you time and money.
8. Employ the Right People for the Job
“Pick good people… and back them.” — Adlai E. Stevenson
Placing people in roles without the right capability can put projects at risk.
Don’t shape roles around availability — ensure the right fit.
Ask: Can this person handle complexity and pressure over time?
9. Build Strength and Agility Through Systems
Clear systems, processes and escalation pathways are essential — regardless of project size.
People need to know:
how to communicate
how to escalate issues
how decisions are made
Ask: If a key person left tomorrow, would your project still function effectively?
10. Talk to Each Other
“If you can’t get your ideas across, they won’t get you anywhere.”, Lee Iacocca
Communication must flow across all levels, not just top-down.
Create feedback loops where issues, ideas and concerns are heard and addressed in a timely way.
Ask: Are your communication channels enabling clarity, or creating noise?
Successfully delivering a project comes down to managing change, navigating competing agendas, and leveraging opportunities along the way.
Get in Touch
If you’d like a copy of my summary of McCreadie’s condensed version of The Art of War, or want to discuss how TrueRes can support stakeholder alignment and project delivery, feel free to get in touch.
