If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. –Attributed to Benjamin Franklin.
Project failure usually results from lack of planning. Stated in another way, projects fail before they begin.
Another old axiom clearly illustrates the problem:
“Ready, Fire, Aim.”
Unfortunately, that’s the way many organizations do business today, they are in a rush to launch projects without thoroughly understanding the impact of their decision to begin these projects.
I can’t really say that I blame them, because I understand their need to implement changes that will positively impact their business environments and need to keep up with or stay ahead of the competition.
However, embarking on a journey without knowing exactly where you are going and the route you will take to get there is irresponsible and costly. In the long run, the time taken to analyze the business needs, and to define, plan, and document the project, will save time and money. Careful analysis of the business case provides a decision point to kill or proceed with the project based on rational decision analysis.
Regrettably, it will be the unlucky project manager assigned to the project, who will be blamed when the project fails due to missed deadlines, budget overruns, rework, poor communications, and inability to achieve the project objectives.
Another old axiom adds some clarity to the situation by stating:
“There’s never enough time to do it right the first time, but there’s always enough time to go back and do it again.”
All this can be avoided by allowing the project manager adequate time to plan the project before work begins.
Assure Success
Here are a few simple things you can do to ensure project success:
- Develop a clear and unambiguous Scope Statement that definitively describes what is and is not to be delivered or produced by the project. This sets a fence around the project
- Document all assumptions and constraints
- Understand the competing project constraints of scope, time, budget, quality, resources and risk
- Complete a risk assessment. Rank, qualify and quantify each risk. Develop a risk management plan to mitigate and manage the risks. Review and update the risk management plan frequently throughout the project
- Review lessons learned from previous or similar projects
- Seek input from project stakeholders and the project team
- Seek approval from the project sponsor. Don’t proceed without it
- Confirm your authority as project manager with an approved project charter
- Establish and implement a Scope Management Plan and change control system
- Communicate, communicate, and communicate some more. Be sure to issue regular project status updates and reports
In summary, projects can fail for many reasons, but one thing is certain, your project is doomed to fail if you don’t thoroughly plan the project before you get started.