Introduction

The term “Triple Constraint” refers to three focus areas that can restrict the scope (or purview) of the project. This is the most critical drawback that a project manager faces. When these three constraints are not well-aligned, it impacts the product’s outcome. Therefore, it is important to identify their interdependency to drive project success.

The triple constraints refer to the three limitations that can impact the project’s outcome. Effectively managing these constraints can promise seamless, on-time deliverables, regardless of the project’s intricacy or complexity.

Three constraints of project management

As mentioned above, the three key project management factors are scope, time and cost. All three constraints are highly interdependent and can affect the outcome of any project in multiple ways. Although foundational, the structure of the project management triangle does not address the core project requirements today. But this triple constraint premise prioritises early planning and a perfect balance between the three to produce desirable results.

Why Is the Triple Constraint Important?

The triple constraint model is important because it emphasises the idea of project completion as per the scope defined in the beginning. Moreover, it also prioritises sticking to the decided budget and timeline to deliver desirable results. The significance of the triple constraint lies in its emphasis on the fundamental trade-offs inherent in project management.

By focusing on these three aspects of the Triple Constraint, team members and leaders can ideate, implement and execute projects seamlessly, ensuring that every project requirement is taken into consideration (including the project framework, budget, and necessary resources) and a quality outcome is achieved.

Benefits of Triple Constraint:

• Planning: The triple constraint triangle in the project management system connects scope, time and cost to deliver results. Since every project is essentially driven by these three elements, making decisions based on how each of these can influence the final delivery of the output becomes easier. This also helps identify shortfalls in the system, allowing compromises to be identified and resolved.
• Proactive risk management: By visualising the three constraints on the triangle, it becomes easier for stakeholders and those working on the project to think through and make decisions that are needed for the project to progress the right way. This also helps project members to identify potential risks beforehand and mitigate them before they affect the project flow. This mechanism additionally helps the team to design smart risk mitigation plans that they can fall back on if something does not work out as planned.
• Better Communication: The iron triangle, also known as the project management triangle, facilitates clear communication between project managers and stakeholders, as well as among stakeholders, by comprehensively depicting complex aspects.

How Does the Triple Constraint Work?

In simple terms, the triple constraint refers to the three primary factors (time, cost and scope) in the project management system and how each of these factors comes together to outline a project and define its success. These are closely related variables that require proper alignment because even a slight alteration in one would affect the remaining two aspects. So, as project managers, whenever you perceive a task for execution, always weigh it in terms of the three constraints, so you can get a clear picture of how the project mapping is to be done, how much time is to be allocated to the job and the costs involved.

To provide a brief overview of the triple constraint factors, we have explained what time, scope and cost refer to.

• Time: Defines the entire duration of the project. You can also refer to it as the timeline.
• Cost: The finances allocated for a project, along with any additional fees, make up the project cost.
• Scope: The amount of work required for the project defines the scope of the project.

Explain interplay with short examples (over budget, scope creep, delays)

Interpay refers to the mutual dependency of scope, time and cost, where a change in one factor affects the remaining two factors. Understanding the triple constraint and its interplay among them is important because it helps teams and team leaders to make informed decisions for the team and achieve the decided objectives.

How to Manage the Triple Constraint Effectively?

While a project is ongoing, project managers and leaders often encounter administrative issues. This not only hampers the flow of work but also the quality of output. However, we are here to share a few ideas (tips and techniques) with you that will help you manage your project smartly.

Read on to know more about the best tools, practices, and frameworks to manage the triple constraint:

TOOLS AND FRAMEWORK:

• Jira is a powerful tool that helps with strategic planning, tracking and data management. It is equipped with various multipurpose features such as Gantt charts, budget mapping, and resource distribution. The dashboard component of Jira provides accurate project information and generates reports to create a project scope.
• ProjectManager efficiently manages the triple constraint by offering a consolidated platform where the project managers and users can easily measure project metrics, analyse project performance and spot potential threats and problems in the project beforehand.
• Agile methodology also works great when managing the triple constraint. As this format entirely relies on iterative development, continual feedback and continuous growth, it remains a flexible mode of work that is highly acceptable by businesses and organisations.

PRACTICES:

• Prepare a practical schedule - Knowing when to start and exactly when to conclude a project requires a schedule. Therefore, design a realistic structure for your project and the hours you will allocate to it for its completion. Consider crisis scenarios that require extra hours or monetary assistance.
• Synchronise all your tasks - Align all functions involved in the project as per the timeline. Every task will have a specific deadline, and many tasks will have dependencies. Ensure that you focus on the priority tasks at first before moving on to the next set of functions.
• Follow a meticulous plan - Focus on creating a detailed plan with proper ideation. Consider the project and identify the areas that require more attention. Only when stakeholders agree upon a project idea should that be put together into a plan.
• Keep a Plan B for emergencies - One cannot predict unforeseen events during a project. However, keeping aside survival resources and additional time can help overcome such a situation with ease. So, always have a backup plan to fall back on in case the first one doesn’t work out.
• Defining a workable budget - A budget that ensures the fulfilment of all the project requirements - is the first thing to work on, as a project manager. Discuss with team members and consider what stakeholders have to say about the project before you establish a practical budget.
• Optimise and utilise resources - Planning a project from scratch requires more than just time and effort. It requires substantial resources. However, what is equally important is knowing how to allocate the resources effectively to avoid waste or shortage during the process.
• Monitor project outlays - Utilise budget tracking tools or software to keep track of your expenses and regulate your finances well throughout the project. Know how much to spend and where to curtail the costs.
• Know the project extent - If the scope of the project is clearly defined, it will be easier for the project managers to navigate it. This can be achieved through proper documentation of the project beforehand, which has defined milestones and a timeline.
• Carefully consider modifications - With every step of progress, the project would need some modifications to be made. Make sure to carefully reflect on the suggestions and ideas before implementing them into the project.
• Keep the stakeholders informed - Every small or major move in the project should be taken only after proper discussion and consultation with the stakeholders and team members involved.

Real-World Examples of Triple Constraints in Projects

The concept of triple constraints has been emphasised throughout this blog post. Although it does not entirely address the concerns arising in project development, it remains a crucial part of the project management process. Popularly termed as the “Iron Triangle”, the triple constraints model of project management balances the three aspects of time, scope and money by explaining how all three are interdependent. We have listed three brief examples that elucidate triple constraints in projects.

• Example 1 - SCOPE - During a project development phase, when clients request that developers or project managers consider new add-ons in the form of design upgrades or feature additions, this will increase the project’s scope, and that by default will either require a longer timeline or additional costs.
• Example 2 - TIME - In a situation where a project with an already defined budget and allocated resources is to be delivered within two months, emergencies can push the delivery date back by a few weeks. This can occur when an unforeseen delay or mishap occurs during the process, or the process experiences a breakdown midway.
• Example 3 - COST - If you are having a property designed for yourself, you will have a structured plan that you will show the designers or contractors. Then, according to them, you will prepare a budget that can encompass all the listed expenses. However, if you decide to integrate new designs or alterations to the already existing layouts, the creators will charge additional money to compensate for their time and labour investment. This will automatically result in increased costs.

Tools and Templates to Control the Triple Constraint

Various tools and templates govern the design and monitoring of projects, managing triple constraints. Additionally, they offer organised ways to trade off correctly, to avoid any delays and disruptions in the project handling process.

Some of the popular tools and software that control the Triple Constraint include:

• Jira - Controls the triple constraint using its project management features.
• Smartsheet - Offers tools to users, enabling them to strike a balance between scope, time and cost.
• ClickUp - Offers visibility through real-time monitoring and associated features for each element, allowing you to define the project’s scope.
• Asana - The centralised platform that provides significant real-time information to regulate projects.
• Trello - It boosts flexibility, enhances communication between team members using the Kanban system, which helps manage the triple constraint. Trello boasts a high degree of collaboration with its multi-faceted features, including boards, lists and cards.
• Notion - Project managers can rely largely on Notion, which helps control the triple constraint. Its highly visual dashboard assists in the seamless creation and monitoring of projects.
• Airtable - Its consolidated database helps track the progress of any project and its components. Its well-integrated structure helps connect reports and performances, and helps control the triple constraints.
• Microsoft Project - Project managers rely on Microsoft Project for the supporting tools that it offers to regulate scope, time and cost. Through this, the project managers interpret the relationship between the three constraints and how they are interdependent.
• Gantt Charts - With a Gantt chart, users can gain a deeper insight into a project and its scope. Additionally, it also helps with details related to task lists, dependencies, resource management, budget, timeline, and other relevant aspects.
• Kanban Boards - The Kanban board uses a visual dashboard to track operations, manage issues, reprioritise tasks and fast-track pending projects. This entire system together helps enhance productivity.
• Priority Matrices - This defines the three constraints in a way that makes it easier to adjust them according to the requirement. By identifying the fix constraint, optimising the other, and changing the other, the priority matrices manage the triple constraints.
• TeamGantt - TeamGantt comprises tools that facilitate communication, project planning and progress tracking. It uses Gantt charts to supervise projects and their timelines. Additionally, it helps define project scope, monitor expenses and fosters clear communication.
• Kantata - Kantata offers a centralised structure and smart tools to plan and track project timelines. It accompanies a platform for professional services automation that integrates project data and automates primary processes.
• Microsoft Excel - With Excel, it becomes easier to chart costs and analyse expenses over time. With its effective data arrangement and sorting options, teams can manage time, monitor tasks and minimise potential delays. Lastly, one can easily determine the scope of the project using Excel as it illustrates projects, their status, priority and influence, allowing the rest of the project to be easily mapped.
• Budget Trackers - Budget trackers provide real-time depictions of funds allocated within a project. Keeping an eye on the budget via budget trackers helps keep project expenses in check.
• Project Charter - The project charter outlines the original scope and schedule of the project that the clients acknowledge at the beginning of the assignment. By providing a solid foundation for the project, it enables users to track the project’s development easily.
• Change Control Form - This is a formal document that helps to assess the impact of proposed project changes. It facilitates the ideation of changes and their implementation on the project.
• WBS and Schedule - A Work Breakdown Structure and project schedule significantly influence the triple constraint. It initially breaks down complex tasks, which is then followed by a realistic schedule. This timeline not only includes details about the time required but also the cost involved.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them?

The following are some of the major limitations of the triple constraint model in project management.

1. Scope Creep - In project management, scope creep is considered one of the most challenging aspects, as it relates to the project’s scope. When the project's requirements exceed the initially drawn plan, resulting in price rise, missed deadlines, and dissatisfied clients, it is defined as scope creep.
2. Unrealistic Deadlines - Projects with unrealistic timelines often fail to meet expectations. Setting unattainable targets for shorter durations compromises a project in many aspects, as it directly impacts the project quality and results in higher costs at the end.
3. Budget Constraints - This is one of the three constraints of the triple constraint model. At times, when a project is designed with a defined budget, even a small deviation from the original plan often results in poor allocation of resources.
4. Poor Planning - The limited structure of the iron triangle leads to poor planning and failed execution of projects as initially ideated. At times, due to incorrect allocation of funds, delayed project deliveries and unrealistic timelines, projects do not materialise as planned.
5. Absence of Critical Factors - The triple constraint model is incompatible with the new-age project requirements. It cannot address the core issues that might arise during the project. For instance, it cannot assist in designing new project goals, a realistic roadmap or a budget for the projects at hand.
6. Compromised Quality - The foundational structure of the triple constraint model often produces incorrect or poor results. The reason for this is that it does not incorporate quality as a primary factor in the system.
7. Absence of Risk Management - The limited scope of the iron triangle does not fully mitigate potential threats in the project management system, resulting in inadequate risk management.
8. Customer Dissatisfaction - Every project or program is targeted towards a dedicated audience. However, if customer satisfaction is not addressed, striking a perfect balance between time, cost, and scope will not be effective. The triple constraint model compromises on this aspect.
9. Poor Resource Allocation - The efficient allocation of the necessary resources is essential to generate valuable output from a project. The basic structure of the Iron Triangle fails to incorporate the necessary resources for a project.
10. Incompatible for Complex Projects - The triple constraint model is not well-suited for modern-day project dynamics. It cannot address the various needs, intricacies, and goals of the projects entirely. 

Triple Constraint vs Agile Project Management

Conclusion

The triple constraint of project management is a great way to manage projects. Knowing the three constraints of your project well will help you to map a perfect plan for your project. Today, there are several project management tools, techniques and software, as well, judiciously designed to minimise project hassle and deliver quality output on time. You can utilise these tools to integrate the three project constraints to execute great projects.Empower yourself with the knowledge and skills to excel in project management courses and drive organizational success with Simpliaxis.

 FAQs

1. Can a project succeed if one constraint fails?

   Yes. A project may still be considered successful even if one of its constraints fails, depending on the overall outcome and stakeholder satisfaction. However, since the triple constraints (scope, time, and cost) are interdependent, failure in one area often impacts the others and may affect the final project results.

2. Is the triple constraint still relevant in Agile?

   Yes, the triple constraint—time, cost, and scope—continues to be relevant in Agile environments. While the concept remains the same, Agile typically keeps time and cost fixed while allowing scope to remain flexible. The constraints are still monitored but applied differently compared to traditional project management.

3. What are examples of triple constraints?

   Below are two simple examples that demonstrate how the triple constraints interact:

   Example 1:
   A household interior design project is planned for completion within one month. If the client advances the deadline (time), the scope may need to be reduced or certain design elements simplified.

   Example 2:
   A software feature is estimated to be delivered in two weeks at an agreed budget. If the client requests new additions or changes (scope), it may either increase the overall cost or extend the timeline by one or two weeks (time).