Project Failure Rates
This week there was another survey showing that 70% or more of all projects fail. It may make some wonder how well managed organizations with highly intelligent and experienced executives let this happen. Well, when we go in to help a new client with project problems we always see the same thing…
The “activity trap” that engulfs all too many projects is where stakeholders, team member or project managers focus on what they want to do, not what they want to achieve. The activity trap is not an evil conspiracy. It’s the result of good ideas from stakeholders and project managers who lack the technique to keep everyone focused on business outcomes. People always want to add goodies to projects. Experienced project managers know you can’t control scope by arguing with stakeholders (most whom outrank the PM), about the merits or value of a goodie they want to add. PMs always lose those discussions. It makes executives or clients angry and the scope expands anyway, without any increase in duration or budget.
So what so you think is the best way to handle this?
posted by Dick Billows, PMP, GCA @ 2:00 PM
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Well Dick, as one of your former students, I'd say that having the sponsor define success before I start work is the first step. That provides a frame for our project to help keep out all those extra little "goodies" that everyone wants to add.
It won't make you more popular, but it will help you to determine what does and does not fit with the project's objectives. And I'd rather have a successful project than be voted most popular-that will be fleeting for sure!
A project might have many stakeholders but hopefully only one sponsor. All changes to the scope of the project must be approved in writting by the sponsor. Having in place a good Change Management Plan will help your project avoid being part of these statistics.
Jorge Rojas - PMP, MIS
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