The Cherry Pie Problem: Was It the Idea, the Plan, or the Execution?

A few years ago, I was at an event that had one of those quirky, charming catering setups. Instead of cookies or cupcakes, they went all-in on pies. Mini pies, to be exact. A whole table full of them. Apple, peach, blueberry, and - crucially for this story - cherry.

Now, someone clearly loved pie (the bride) and had what I’d call a great idea: serve up a bunch of crowd-pleasing flavors in a fun, approachable way. Even better, they had a gluten-free option - again, great idea to include the generations after Gen X. They thoughtfully made the gluten-free cherry pies look noticeably different: the gluten-free version had no top crust, while the regular ones did. Smart, right?

They even had little placards labeling each pie. So far, so good.

But here’s where the whole thing derailed: the gluten-free placard was placed in front of the wrong pie. It was sitting in front of the gluten-full cherry pie with the top crust. Which meant that gluten-free folks were unknowingly grabbing the regular pie, and people avoiding gluten were skipping the one that was actually safe for them. Chaos disguised as dessert.  For most people it wasn’t noticed.  For some, those that tried the gluten-free cherry it was a nuisance - this cherry pie doesn’t taste too good.  For a select few, it was a more, ehm, consequential situation.

And that, my friends, is the Cherry Pie Problem, and it can happen anywhere.  Prefabrication?  Great idea, but did you allow for slight construction tolerance variation?

Where Did It Go Wrong?

Let’s break it down.

• The idea? Solid. Everyone loves pie, and including dietary options is a thoughtful touch.

• The plan? Also pretty good. Different visual indicators for gluten-free, plus labeling.

• The execution? That’s where it all fell apart. The person placing the signs either didn’t know the system or didn’t pay close attention.

This might sound like a small catering misstep, but it’s the perfect metaphor for something that happens all the time in construction project management.

Idea, Plan, Execution: Pick Your Problem

In construction, we’re constantly moving between three stages of bringing something to life:

1. The Idea – “Let’s build this.” Whether it’s a road, a bridge, a pump station, or a new method for trench safety, everything starts here.

2. The Plan – “Here’s how we’re going to do it.” This includes drawings, specs, schedules, budgets, and sequencing.

3. The Execution – “Let’s get it done.” Fieldwork, coordination, QC, safety, communication, and progress tracking.

When something goes sideways, the instinct is often to point fingers - but where should we really be looking? Was it a bad idea from the start? A solid idea paired with a clunky plan? Or a great plan that fell apart because the execution was sloppy?

Sometimes, it’s painfully obvious. Like when someone pours concrete on an un-compacted subgrade and it fails within the year. We don’t need a think-tank to tell us what went wrong - it’s execution. But other times, especially with new or complex scopes, it’s not so clear.

The Problem with Novel Work

Let’s say you're asked to install a solar canopy over a parking lot. Sounds great in theory. Green energy, shade, all the buzzwords. The idea is progressive.

But:

• If no one involved has experience with this type of install…

• If the engineering doesn't account for utility clearances…

• If the foundation detail doesn’t work with existing undergrounds…

• Or if the subs aren’t bought out properly…

… then is the issue the idea, the plan, or the execution?

This is where we get stuck. Because when things fail, they often fail quietly and in a fog of finger-pointing. Meanwhile, your team is trying to stay on schedule, your budget is taking a hit, and upper management is asking for a recovery plan.

“A Bad Plan Well Executed…”

There’s a quote that’s often thrown around in project circles, usually when things go south:

“A bad plan that is well executed will yield much better results than a good plan that is poorly executed.” – Otto von Bismarck (the guy they named a battleship after, which is what the drinking game Sink the Bismark, is named after)

I think there’s a lot of truth in that. You can salvage a clunky plan if everyone is aligned, focused, and adjusting on the fly. But a beautiful plan full of smart sequencing and risk mitigation won’t save you if it’s ignored in the field - or misunderstood.

That said, let’s not take this as permission to skip planning. Instead, let’s focus on the one thing we can control across all three stages: execution.

The Case for Ruthless Execution

You can’t always guarantee a perfect plan, especially when you’re pushing into new territory. You won’t always be able to control the quality of the original idea - sometimes that comes from the client, or corporate, or someone higher up.

But execution? That’s our domain. That’s boots on the ground. That’s pre-task planning, field walks, RFIs, daily logs, coordination calls, and making sure the guy placing signs knows which pie is which.

Execution is not glamorous. It’s not always Instagrammable. But it’s what separates teams that scramble and survive from teams that perform consistently and build trust.

What This Means for You

If you’re coming up in the construction world - maybe you’re a field engineer, an APM, or newly minted PM - start practicing the habit of asking this:

“If this goes wrong, where is it most likely to fall apart - idea, plan, or execution?”

This mental model will make you sharper in meetings, more effective in the field, and way more valuable to your team. It gives you a framework for troubleshooting and avoiding reactive thinking.

It also helps you lead. Because whether you're managing a scope or a crew, people want clarity. They want to know what went wrong - and what not to repeat.

Wrapping Up: Don’t Be the Pie Table

So yeah, pie is a good idea. So is your next project. But ideas and plans won’t get you over the finish line if the execution isn’t dialed in.

Whether you’re placing signage or placing rebar, small misses can lead to big confusion. That gluten-free cherry pie fiasco? It didn’t need a new idea. It didn’t even need a better plan. It just needed someone to put the sign in the right place.

Sometimes, it really is that simple.

What do you think fails most often - the Idea, Plan, or Execution?