Plan Continuation Bias: When “Staying the Course” Becomes Dangerous
Have you ever wondered why smart people and successful organizations sometimes continue with obviously failing projects? The answer lies in a powerful cognitive trap called “plan continuation bias” – our tendency to press forward with an initial plan despite mounting evidence that it’s no longer the best course of action.
From the manufacturing floor to the boardroom, this psychological blind spot causes us to ignore warning signs, discount new information, and sometimes literally steer into danger rather than adapt. In India’s manufacturing sector alone, companies like Tata Motors, Hindustan Motors, and others have lost billions of rupees by falling victim to this invisible force.