Contingency as Standard Practice

British planning routinely includes preparation for what might go wrong. This is not pessimism—it is treated as basic competence. A plan that assumes everything will go smoothly is considered naïve rather than optimistic.

The expectation is that plans will encounter obstacles, and that a well-made plan includes provisions for dealing with them. Having a Plan B is not a sign of doubt about Plan A—it is a sign of thorough planning. Plans that acknowledge potential difficulties are considered more credible than plans that assume smooth execution.

The question “What if this does not work?” is a normal part of the planning process, not a sign of negativity. It is simply practical realism about how things tend to unfold.

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