I'll start…The most valuable lesson I've learned is that a Risk that is present at the beginning of a project will not go away by itself and will only show it's ugly(ier) head again at the end of a project if not resolved. Lesson learned? Don't delude yourself into thinking that just because the project has a long timeline you can get rid of the risk later. Eliminate project risks early and often!
What valuable lesson have you learned from projects that have failed? Saving Changes...
The basic lessons learnt from failed project -
1. Risks should be identified and communicated to every one clearly.
2. Stakeholder management plan should be updated regularly and stakeholders role.
Any risk, which is identified but not communicated to ALL will definitely put the project in danger.
Stakeholders may or may not change but still revise our strategy based on progress and delivery. Saving Changes...
Thilo WackHead of Existing Product and Test Lab| optimedTholey-Hasborn, Germany
Great question and lots of good answers. My two cents:
- Communications. You just cannot manage anything if you are missing key information and you'll be amazed to find where critical information may reside where you never expected it to be.
- Stakeholder Management. Clients and organizations will start projects when they feel a business need. More often than not they will not know what the project needs to provide to satisfy that Need. But I've never seen project scope defined by a description of the problem that needs solving... Saving Changes...
arlene trimbleAssistant IT Director| Local GovernmentAlamo, Ca, United States
Retrospectives need to be done during the duration of the project so that project members will be able to correct quickly as needed. Fail Fast. Recover Fast. Saving Changes...
arlene trimbleAssistant IT Director| Local GovernmentAlamo, Ca, United States
That as a team we can learn a lot from a failed project.
It is a huge learning opportunity and at the same time an opportunity for the project team to be better and correct the shortcomings in the next project. Saving Changes...
Priya PatraDelivery Director| Capgemini India Technology Services LtdMumbai, India
My learnings:
1. Stick to realistic schedule ( adding resources cannot help at any stage)
2. Highlight risks upfront, as rightly said risks will not go away on its own, they need to be actioned upon
3. Communicate and be transparent, keep all stakeholders updated.
Saving Changes...
1. I always learned a lot to create business case & cash flow in a proper way. Failed projects teaches me the problems in business case & cash flow preparation which I must rectify and consideration for upcoming projects.
2. Communication: Some projects also failed due to poor communication management. a proper communication may exact issues at proper time which may lead to save the project by taking any appropriate means.
3.Monitor & control: some project fail due to proper monitoring and controlling. A failed project teach us a lesson to rectify the loopholes and rectify the same in later projects.
Saving Changes...
1, It is the PM who is ultimately responsible for the project. Saving Changes...
Ebenezer DaramolaManager| Ebensoft Consulting LtdLondon, United Kingdom
Lessons that I have learned from projects that have failed are:
1. Do not assume that a risk that was identified in a past similar project but didn't occur can be overlooked; no two projects are exactly alike; they might seem so close in semblance and attributes but they are never the same; treat every risk as potential future issue and that they might actually occur.
2. As a project Manager, be open and sincere about the state of a project to the sponsors; there are early signs that could indicate that a project is heading for the rock, do not cover those signs, discuss them and conclude as early as possible if the project is still plausible rather than to continue to waste time and resources trying to perform magic
If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there is a man on base.
