zandax online course logo
zandax website search
zandax phone callback
Info, Blogs, Contact & Login
Courses
Tests

5 Tips on How to Avoid Project Failure

From the ZandaX Project Management Blog

Articles to help to manage projects on time and on budget

Home  >  ZandaX Blogs  >  Management Blog  >  Project Management Articles  > 
5 Tips on How to Avoid Project Failure

5 Tips on How to Avoid Project Failure

A post from our Project Management blog

Article author: Jordan James
      Written by Jordan James
Consistently delivering projects on time and within budget is the Holy Grail of project management. But whether you are a client or a project manager, you have to admit it, lots of projects fail. Project failure is alarmingly common and, depending on the industry surveyed, only 5%-30% of all projects are successfully completed.

The silver lining in this cloud is that these days, more organizations are embracing failure and using it as a learning tool. And, if we can get to the bottom of why one project failed, we can find ways to avoid subsequent failure, maybe even improve our project performance.

Failing Project
There are as many definitions of project failure as there are of reasons why projects fail. Should project failure be defined by late delivery, poor delivery or no delivery at all? Or are failed projects those that fail to deliver on all three constraints; the agreed quality, schedule and cost?

Yet another definition of failure can be found in the Standish Group's Chaos Manifesto, which says "a failed project is either cancelled before it is finished, or delivered and never used by the recipient."

On the other hand, project failures can be linked to a number of causes, which stem from these four core problems:
  • Poorly defined project scope
  • Poor allocation of project resources
  • Ineffective communication among stakeholders
  • No / poor risk management strategies
Whether the failure is due to cost and time overruns, individual frustration, or change in business environment, we can all agree that the effect on the organization can be costly.

To quote Murphy's Law, anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. This is especially true in project management, but by learning what causes projects to fail, we can identify common issues and take steps to prevent them from happening. Use the following guidelines, preferably at the onset of the project, to assess and fortify your project against failure.

1) Set realistic expectations

If you plan to avoid failed projects, make the phrase "a stitch in time saves nine" your new watchword. Setting unrealistic expectations just to please a customer, or so that the project falls within a certain budget, will cause problems when the project kicks off.

You also need to make sure to set realistic expectations for your team by assigning them tasks based on their abilities and skill set. Discuss all potential risks, threats and issues that may arise and develop appropriate contingency plans. You can avoid a black swan project by using the project plan to set quality, cost, and time expectations.

2) Properly initiate the project

Never start a project early just so that you can finish it early. Without proper initiation, rushing to kick off will only backfire on you and your team. Proper project initiation requires discussion, seeking agreement, and documenting the expectations of all the stakeholders.

When key stakeholders know what they are getting (and they agree to it), everyone knows exactly what is expected of them to complete the project. Poor initiation, on the other hand, will lead to rework, errors and omissions unnecessarily extending the project.

3) Check your resources

Do your team members have the expertise required for the project tasks? Starting a project with a team filled with the wrong skill mix or wrong number of people, will only lead to failure. Limited staff and other resource constraints will result in missed milestones and deadlines, throwing any estimated completion date into jeopardy.

To avoid project failure due to lack of resources, make sure to check the availability of the required resources before the project kicks off.

4) Keep clear channels of communication

A breakdown in communications is another common cause of project failure that can be easily avoided. Project managers cannot operate in a vacuum, they need to be accessible to all stakeholders. If your project team members feel they are being ignored, it can lead to resentment and poor performance.

When a project schedule is created, a preferred form of communication should be agreed on by everyone involved, and you need to decide if you want to have check-ins weekly or monthly.

Monthly Meeting

5) Be open to alternative solutions

The point of having a team is to take advantage of a diverse set of skills and experiences. As the project manager, you may think you have the most efficient solutions to any problems that arise, but don't forget to seek input from members of your project team.

Listen to their contribution, discuss viable options and agree on the best solution. Remember that the more invested the stakeholders are, the greater the likelihood of success.

The key to avoiding project failure is to plan well, execute this plan well, and evaluate your actions. Sure, there's Murphy's Law, but the most successful project managers always plan ahead to avoid grappling with vague project scope, resource shortages, and people problems.



How do you prepare for your projects? What signs tip you off that a project is about to fail?

Back to the Project Management blog

Click the button for more Project Management articles.

The ZandaX Leadership & Management blog

Click a panel for great articles on leadership & management

Write For Us

We pride ourselves on our busy, high-quality and helpful blog, and we're always looking for guest contributors to increase the variety and diversity of what we present.

Click to see how you can write for us with an original and well-written guest post.

ZandaX Blog Contents

Want to see them all? Click to view a full list of articles in our blogs.

Online courses to boost your skills
Click a button to see more about each course
Personal Development
Microsoft Software
 
 
Leadership & Management
Sales & Presentations
Service & Support
 
 
ZandaX online training course logo
ZandaX – Change Your Life ... Today
All content © ZandaX 2023
ZandaX LinkedIn logo
ZandaX LinkedIn logo
ZandaX LinkedIn logo
Close menu element
See how you score on a range of skills that are critical to your well-being and performance
Communication Skill test
Communication Skills
How Can You Communicate Better?
Would you like to see what kind of communicator you are? And how you can improve the effectiveness of your communications?
Likeability test
Likeability
How Much Do People Like You?
Do you sometimes wonder just how likeable you are? And wouldn't you like to see how you can (genuinely) become more likeable?


Time Management test
Time Management
How Can You Make More Use Of Your Time?
Are you frustrated by how easily time slips away? Do you get frustrated when things don't get done just because you run out of time?
Assertiveness test
Assertiveness
Are you Passive, Aggressive or Assertive?
Would you like to know where you fall on the behavior spectrum? Does your response to events sometimes surprise you?


Close menu element
Information & Resources
ZandaX information
Information
Read more about us, our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Service
See how we want to help you, and how we make everything easy for everyone
Callback request
ZandaX Blogs
Articles to increase your knowledge and understanding in key areas of your life and career.
Read our blogs on Personal Development, Business Skills and Leadership & Management


Time Management test
Log In
Log in to your online dashboard
View your courses, review what you want and download your workbooks and certificates
Assertiveness test
Contact Us
An easy online form to get in touch
With options for More Information, Customer Service and Feedback


Close menu element
Develop Your Skills, Knowledge and Understanding with ZandaX
Click any subject in the listings for more information and a full list of courses

Personal Development
Personal Development training
Your soft skills affect everything you do, at work, at home and with friends ... they are truly life changing!
NEW COURSES
Online training courses
Hot Off the Press...
We're always adding to and upgrading our courses, so here are a few of our latest releases:
For a full listing of courses, please visit our Quick Course Finder to find exactly what you want.
Site Cookies
We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better.

You can change your cookie settings in your browser. Otherwise, we'll assume you're OK to continue.

I'm fine with this