“Failure is just a chance to start anew, but smarter this time.” – Henry Ford.
We’ve all been there.
Starting a project with a fire in your belly. You’re prepped, you’ve got your squad, and hit the ground running. Next thing you know… chaos. Missed deadlines, underwhelming outcomes, frustrated clients and executives – you name it. To say the least, it’s a mess.
But hey, if you’re reading this, you’re on the right path – the one towards understanding and avoiding project mishaps. So, let’s break down the top project pitfalls and how to leap over them.
Common Project Failures & How to Fix Them
Foggy Goals
Ever heard that around 37% of projects go belly-up due to blurry goals? Makes sense, right? If your team’s lost in goal-mist, how can they win? Set sharp targets right off the bat. With Studio98, this is our secret sauce.
Scanty Resource Plans
Resources are the heart of any project – money, peeps, materials. Without a smart plan, you’ll have underworked and overworked folks, and your budget might as well fly out the window. Trust us, tracking resources = winning.
Talk-less Trouble
Poor communication is like kryptonite for projects. It messes up a third of projects and puts over half the budget at risk. Which is not cool. Whether it’s no-talk zones or misunderstood chats, it’s a recipe for chaos. There’s a reason why the saying goes: communication is key!
Stakeholders Left Hanging
Stakeholders? Consider them the VIPs of your project, good or bad. Ignoring them is like playing with dynamite. Keep them in the loop and collaborate or kiss your project’s success goodbye.
Murky Project Scope
Imagine building a house without blueprints. A project with a foggy scope is in for a similar ride. Scope creep? It’s a thing, and it spells trouble. Define what’s in, what’s out – be clear and concise.
Wild Cost & Time Guesses
Being left to guess or assume the costs and timelines? It’s like predicting the weather with a crystal ball. Some projects might sail smooth, others – not so much. Clear your crystal ball with solid estimates, or you’re bound to have unhappy team players.
Risky Business
Projects are like roller coasters, there are loops, turns, and surprises. If you’re not ready, they will derail. Risk management can be seen as your seatbelt. Be prepared for those unexpected jolts!
Fresh Meat as Captains
Newbie captains can sink ships. Sure, they might rock, but seasoned skippers sail smoother. One of your greatest mistakes will be entrusting your projects to just anyone. Experience and a decent amount of training counts.
Dreamy Expectations
Optimism is great, but unrealistic dreams? Those sink ships. Match tasks with your team’s skills and set goals that are in sync with reality.
Watch & Tweak
Think of a project like a race car. You don’t start and forget; you have to watch, adjust, and zoom. The same goes for projects. Keep tabs, and if things are even just slightly a drift, tweak the wheel.
There you have it – the scoop on project stumbles and how to dodge them. By the way, incase you did not know, at Studio98 we custom designed and developed a platform called GrandCentr.al that helps deflect all the curveballs mentioned above and helps our customers seamlessly navigate their Project Management.
Now, go rock that project, you savvy manager, you!
If you have any questions, or like to schedule a call with Claire, VP of Sales, click here