Close Enough Is Often Exactly Right

July 22 is Pi Approximation Day. It might sound like a quirky celebration for math nerds (like me), but it also offers a surprisingly useful lens for those of us managing people, timelines, and uncertainty. This day recognizes the fraction 22 divided by 7, an old and practical approximation of pi. It is not exact, but it is close enough to get the job done. That feels familiar.

I was recently leading a project where the scope was still shifting several weeks into development. And I was being asked for final numbers and fixed milestones. I remember staring at my notes, half-laughing, because we were clearly still in the “figure it out as we go” stage. The only thing I could offer with confidence was a good enough forecast to keep the momentum moving. So I built a timeline with wide ranges and asked for more frequent check-ins to refine as we went.

That version of 22 over 7 got us through.

Close Enough Is a Strategy, Not a Shortcoming

If you've ever worked on a project, you likely know what this is like. Everyone wants an exact timeline, a flawless scope, a guaranteed outcome. But the reality is messier. Maybe you're still gathering information. Maybe priorities are shifting. The only thing you know for sure is that waiting for perfect inputs will stall the entire effort.

Project managers work in the space between ideal and real. We forecast with incomplete data. We build buffers into budgets. We make judgment calls with what we know and adjust when we learn more.

That is not cutting corners. That is managing risk. That is moving forward when others would stay stuck where they are.

Why 22 Over 7 Is a Perfect Metaphor for Project Work

The fraction 22 over 7 gets us close to pi’s actual value. Not accurate to the millionth decimal, but still useful. It lets us calculate, plan, and design with relative confidence.

That is exactly how good project estimates work. They are not meant to be perfect. They are meant to be functional. They give teams a path forward. They help leaders make decisions. They allow momentum to build.

We often forget that approximation is not about being careless. It is about being realistic and responsive.

Holding the Line While Moving the Work

For me, Pi Approximation Day is a reminder that successful projects are not about controlling every variable. They are about adapting with intention. Revisiting assumptions. Managing tradeoffs. Making the next best move with the information you have now.

Progress requires movement, not perfection.

So today, celebrate the elegant balance between precision and pragmatism. Appreciate your ability to navigate uncertainty. And if you happen to do it while eating a slice of pie, that's even better.

You’ve earned it.

More questions, stories, and rabbit holes await... 

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