Why do projects fail? is a big question. There are many different ways in which a project can go wrong. Even if you think you’re doing everything in your power to succeed, there still may be something getting in your way. Here we learn some of the most typical reasons why you may be involved in a failing project, and ways you can combat this.
Do I Really Need a Project Plan?
YES! This is the first, most fundamental aspect of any project. Plan for success and it will help to overcome delays and failures that occur across the life of the project.
Any project manager who is experienced and talented should enact a project task list at the beginning of their endeavour. This keeps everyone on task and ensures that there are clear boundaries and projections from the outset of work. Project plans should include dates, checkpoints and potential times that phases should be started.
Can Expenses Get in the Way of Project Success?
Many projects fail to take off or never see profitability because of unforeseen financial costs, which can put your project way over budget. Being organised and keeping an expense sheet is a simple way to track this, ensuring you are on track to finish within reasonable budget concerns. Regular reporting and communications with stakeholders is also important to ensuring that you manage expectations and can highlight, as early as possible, when your project is going to go over budget.
Why is My Project Team Working So Badly Together?
Sometimes, people fail to work as a group effectively, meaning that collaboration is poor within your project. Politics, internal disputes, poor communication, lack of change management – can all really undermine the project as a whole by impeding group communication and willingness to complete certain tasks. Make sure to foster collaboration within your group by rewarding teamwork. Remember, you are dealing with human beings, not computers or robots.
While there are many ways that a project can potentially go wrong, they are ultimately pretty easy to fix with the right support, attitude and knowledge of the problem. Being well organised, communicating effectively, managing expectations and staying focused on meeting goals can help any project manager succeed.