Skip to content

Assuming Quote by Daniel Kahneman

“The planning fallacy is that you make a plan, which is usually a best-case scenario. Then you assume that the outcome will follow your plan, even when you should know better.” quote by Daniel Kahneman
Download Open image
“The planning fallacy is that you make a plan, which is usually a best-case scenario. Then you assume that the outcome will follow your plan, even when you should know better.”

Daniel Kahneman

About This Quote

Source Book: Thinking, Fast and Slow, 2011

The planning fallacy describes the tendency to underestimate task duration and overestimate success by assuming ideal conditions, ignoring past evidence.

In simple terms: People often plan too optimistically, ignoring realistic constraints.

Key Takeaway

Plan with realistic buffers.

Themes

cognitive bias optimism project management

Mood

analytical cautious

Type

cognitive practical

When to use this quote

  • business projects
  • personal goals
  • event planning
  • software development

Key Concepts

overconfidence risk assessment

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you incorporate past project data into new plans?
  • What safeguards prevent overoptimistic forecasts?
A Different Perspective

Mitigating bias requires data and past experience.

2.8 out of 5 (3 ratings)

More by Daniel Kahneman

Explore all 560 Daniel Kahneman quotes

More Assuming quotes

Browse all 2,452 Assuming quotes