When It Happens Twice: A Project Management Lesson from The Alchemist

Inspired by Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist
“Everything that happens once can never happen again. But everything that happens twice will surely happen a third time.”

At first glance, this quote feels philosophical. But in reality, it is deeply practical, especially for project managers.

In projects, nothing happens “just once”.
Every repeated issue, delay, or success is a signal.
- The first time something happens, it may be an accident.
- The second time, it becomes a pattern.
- The third time, it becomes predictable—unless we act.

What This Means in Project Management
Project management is not just about plans and tools, it is about recognizing patterns early.
- First occurrence > Observation
- Second occurrence > Warning
- Third occurrence > Failure of learning
Successful project managers break cycles before the third time.

Connecting the Quote to the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
1. Requirements Gathering: The Cost of Repeated Assumptions

First time:
- Requirements were unclear
- Some assumptions were made to move fast
Second time:
- Change requests increased
- Scope creep started affecting timelines
Third time (if ignored):
- Customer dissatisfaction
- Budget overruns
- Trust erosion
Lesson:
If requirements are unclear twice, it’s not bad luck—it’s a process gap.
Project action:
- Introduce requirement validation workshops
- Use prototypes or wireframes early
- Get written sign-off before development

2. Development Phase: Repeated Rework
First time:
- Code had bugs due to rushed timelines
Second time:
- Same modules required rework
- Developers started feeling frustrated
Third time (if ignored):
- Burnout
- Missed deadlines
- Declining code quality
Lesson:
Rework repeating twice indicates a quality issue, not a team issue.
Project action:
- Add peer reviews
- Enforce coding standards
- Improve sprint planning realism

3. Testing Phase: Late Defect Discovery
First time:
- Bugs found late in UAT
Second time:
- Testing window reduced again
- Hotfixes deployed in production
Third time (if ignored):
- Production failures
- Loss of customer confidence
Lesson:
Late defects repeating twice mean testing is not integrated, only postponed.
Project action:
- Shift-left testing
- Automate regression tests
- Involve QA from early stages

Customer Management: Patterns Speak Louder Than Feedback
Example: Customer Escalations
First escalation:
- Considered an exception
Second escalation:
- Explained as pressure from customer’s side
Third escalation (if ignored):
- Relationship damage
- Risk of contract loss
Lesson:
When escalations repeat, the problem is not the customer, it’s expectation alignment.
Project action:
- Increase communication cadence
- Share realistic timelines
- Document decisions clearly

Team Management: Repetition Builds Culture
Example: Missed Deadlines
First miss:
- Team adjusts
Second miss:
- Pressure increases
Third miss (if ignored):
- Low morale
- Loss of accountability
Lesson:
Repeated behavior creates team culture, whether intentional or not.
Project action:
- Address root causes early
- Balance workload
- Recognize good performance consistently

The Deeper Message for Project Leaders
Paulo Coelho’s quote reminds us that destiny is shaped by choices, not chance.

In project management:
- Repeated issues are data
- Patterns are predictive
- Action (or inaction) defines outcomes

A project does not fail suddenly.
It fails gradually, through ignored repetitions.

Final Thought
- The first time something goes wrong, learn.
- The second time, decide.
- Never wait for the third.
Because in projects, as in life,  what happens twice is asking to happen again.

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