PICK 2!

THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT TRIANGLE

A.K.A. The Iron Triangle or Triple Constraint

THE RULE

In project management, you can only optimize for TWO OUT OF THREE constraints: Speed, Cost, and Quality. Click on the corners of the triangle to explore the trade-offs!

LOW QUALITY EXPENSIVE LOW PRIORITY DONE QUICKLY LOW COST HIGH QUALITY
Select two options above!

TIME (SPEED)

How quickly the project needs to be delivered. Shorter timelines require more resources or reduced scope.

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COST (BUDGET)

The financial resources allocated to the project. Lower budgets mean longer timelines or reduced features.

QUALITY (SCOPE)

The level of features, polish, and overall excellence. Higher quality requires more time or money.

KEY TAKEAWAY

"Pick any two"—this constraint forces project managers to make strategic decisions. Understanding these trade-offs helps set realistic expectations!