Why Projects Fail: Classic Pitfalls

  Communications Management   Governance   Risk Management   ProjectsAtWork  

As organizations are challenged to deliver more projects and programs with flat or decreasing resources, completing initiatives on time and within budget is more difficult than ever. Here are six areas where they most commonly fail and suggestions to avoid these classic pitfalls.

There is an age-old saying that goes something like this: “We can do anything we want, but we cannot do everything we want.” This is the classic conundrum that all project-intensive companies face. Organizations across industries are challenged to deliver an increasing number of projects and programs, while maintaining flat (or decreasing) budgets and resources. In such an environment, there is only one likely outcome … project failure.

Are project failures considered normal? Long-held beliefs and studies have indicated that a majority of projects end in failure, perhaps suggesting that project failures are becoming an accepted norm. The oft-referenced, now decade-old, Standish Group Chaos Report cited a 31 percent project failure rate, effectively lowering the bar, and along with it any optimism for successful project execution. 

Project failure can be easily attributed to a number of factors. Six areas in particular highlight the most common failure culprits. These are Constituent Alignment, Proactive Risk Management, Performance Measurement, Project Scope …

Please log in or sign up below to read the rest of the article.