Who Do Projects Really fail: The Doom of History Forgotten

  PM Network  

Project failure has always been a hot topic. Yet the mystery behind what drives projects off track is starting to fade. Organizations have come a long way when it comes to ferreting out the root causes of failure.

Here are some of the top reasons projects fall short—and tips for how you can use that knowledge to stop making the same mistakes over and over again:

Poor alignment

The right project isn’t always the most profitable one, but it does have to align with the organization’s vision. If not, a lack of executive backing will most likely doom it. If the project will deliver value to customers and users, though, stakeholder support and ownership should be strong.

Bad planning

The old adage tells us, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” The planning stage of the project has to be taken seriously. Project managers must identify key risks, dependencies, stakeholders, and communication and quality needs. Consulting team members and subject matter experts will help ensure the team’s buy-in and commitment.

Lack of executive support

The gap between project managers and executives has always been there. All too often, a senior manager is made the project sponsor without enough knowledge of the project—or even a basic knowledge of a project manager’s role.

Project managers can find themselves alone …

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