What Are We Missing? is a book by civil engineer and Chartered Construction Manager Zafar Alam about how capable people and institutions can make poor decisions despite having relevant information. Planned for publication on 13 February 2027, it explores the gap between evidence and judgment through real-world cases including Deepwater Horizon, Theranos, the Challenger launch and the 2008 financial crisis.

At the heart of the book is PRISM, Alam’s practical framework for examining decisions through Problem Framing, Research, Interpretation and Synthesis, with Metacognition guiding the process. The author describes it as a synthesis of tested parts, not a separately validated model. The book is designed to help readers frame the right question, assess evidence critically, notice the limits of their confidence, and make room for warnings and doubt. It also considers how AI can influence judgment and offers practical protocols for use in everyday work and decision-making. Alam draws on experience with major projects in the Middle East and the UK.