A major project is launched, team members are enthusiastic, and stakeholders are supportive. However, when the real work gets underway, the project loses its momentum and is at risk of completely derailing. How could a project that started out on such a high note and backed by a dedicated team be in such peril?
This is a common scenario that many business leaders face. From the moment a large project kicks-off, the CEO and management team need to be conscious of the warning signs a project might be in trouble. Being prepared for what might derail a project may make it possible to tackle the issues head on and bring it back to life.
Here are some common warning signs a project might be in peril:
Stakeholders Disengage
A major sign a project is in jeopardy of failing is when stakeholders and contributors have doubt and distance themselves from the initiative. Some behaviors stakeholders might exhibit when they are beginning to disengage from the project are:
- not assigning resources to the project or taking away resources early in the project.
- not speaking favorably about the project in meetings.
- not communicating expectations clearly.
- being unaware of project milestones and are surprised when project activities are brought to their attention.
Unclear Scope
When the scope of a project is not well defined, documented, or controlled it is more susceptible to “scope creep” – when changes are made to the project scope without approval. It is sometimes necessary to change the scope, but without approval it can be detrimental to the project.
Poor Communication
Projects are almost certain to fail without a clear communications strategy and tools available to store and control pertinent project information while also allowing for transparency.
A study conducted by the Project Management Group (PMI) revealed that ineffective communication is the primary contributor to project failure one third of the time and has a negative impact on project success more than half the time. Common problem areas related to communication include:
- a gap in understanding the business benefits of the project.
- the language used to deliver project information lacks clarity and detail.
- failure to use the language with which each stakeholder group is familiar.
Team Dynamics and Experience
Power struggles within a team can adversely impact a project causing distractions from the desired objective. Also, if a team is not skilled and experienced enough to match the requirements of the project, the success of the project may be compromised. Team members need clearly defined roles and responsibilities. In severe cases it might be beneficial to shake things up by adding and/or losing members of the team.
When thinking about your project success remember that communication is key. Read my article about Workplace Communication or contact me for more information.
