Even with the best intentions, projects sometimes fail. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as running out of money, taking too much time, or assigning too much work to a team.
So why do projects fail most often? Here are three of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Mistake #1 – Not communicating clearly enough
Projects often fail due to unclear objectives and milestones. It’s important for everyone involved in a project to know what the goals are as well as their role in achieving those goals. If there’s any confusion or misunderstanding about the project objectives, it can lead to problems down the line. It’s up to the project manager to make sure everyone is on the same page and that everyone understands what’s expected of them.
Mistake #2 – Not considering the resources needed to complete the project
This can include things like money, materials, and most importantly, people. Many organizations approve annual plans and projects without knowing the availability of their team and their skills. This is inviting failure from the beginning.
It’s critical to know how many people are available to work on the project and what their skills are. If there aren’t enough people with the right skills to do the work, or if they’re already busy with other projects, it will be impossible for the project to be completed on time or to the required standard.
Mistake #3 – Underestimating resources needed
You must have a realistic idea of the time required to complete each task and how much it will cost to complete the whole project. This information is crucial for both planning and for keeping the project on track. If the estimates are too optimistic, the project can end up taking much longer and costing much more than expected.
Sometimes, duration and cost can be estimated from historical projects. Other times, the estimate may really be unknown. To account for these risks, take the time to research and plan up front and communicate the risks to the team from the beginning.
Avoiding these common mistakes requires being proactive, doing research, and communicating effectively. This means taking the time to understand the project goals, identifying the resources needed, and estimating how long each task will take as well as how much it will cost. It’s also important to communicate all of this information to everyone involved in the project, so everyone is on the same page.
Ultimately, the key to a successful project is planning and follow-through. By taking the time to plan ahead and communicate effectively, you can avoid these common mistakes and set your project up for success.
