We have looked at scope issues in the War in Iraq. We as experienced project managers know that scope issues are among the most common and serious problems to bedevil a project. Another serious and all-too-common project issue is that of trust, and credibility. Let’s look at the War in Iraq in that context.

We know that the Islamic world in general doesn’t trust America, or our Project Sponsor on the Iraq War, President Bush. They see us as the power behind the hated Israeli state, and see us as having taken the Israeli side against the Arabs in the region. It is understood that the USA attacked Iraq in order to secure our oil supply. Why else would we do this, since clearly, in Arab eyes, Saddam wasn’t much of a threat? For those unfamiliar with freedom, freedom for a distant, unrelated people rings hollow as a reason for war.

We have not improved our credibility in the Arab world, but so what. It was low in any case. How about our credibility with the Iraqi people? That is what really matters.

I believe that our credibility with the Iraqi people is directly related to their quality of life. As Tip O’Neil said, “All politics is local”. If their lives are improving, our credibility will improve. Right now, that isn’t the case.

What initiatives would sprinkle some “Trust Dust” on the Iraqi situation? Better security, more jobs, more electricity, credible elections, and a functioning economy. Mr. Bush is talking the talk on these issues, but he has to deliver the goods to win over skeptical Iraqis.

But what about the American people? The trust of the American people is what really, really matters, because our confidence in our leaders is what will determine if we are willing to stay in Iraq and do the hard work that needs to be done.

Mr. Bush has allowed that trust to be undermined with revelations about the real situation when he made the decision to go to war. The lesson for Project Managers is that means do matter, not just ends. How you work with your friends and allies is important. Pushing an unpopular decision can have long-term consequences. It is not enough to believe unshakably that you are right; you have to give those with diverging viewpoints space to disagree, and reasons to support you anyway.