2009 Top Ten Obstacles To Project Success

A Review of the Top 10 Obstacles to Project Success and their mitigation strategies PRESENTED BY: Lou Gasco MüTō Performance Corp. [email_address] 212-842-0508 x3

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#10. A Skill Set Challenged Team Explanation The team is unable to support the project due to a partial or complete lack of technical skill sets. Symptoms ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Potential Mitigation ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Stayed at #10 since 2008 Occurs in 34% of projects ‘ I know we are supposed to be finished tomorrow, but we had a question… Did you say “Three” or “Tree”?’ a supplier to the project manager when construction was stalled due to a requirements question.

#9. A Disappearing Sponsor Explanation The sponsor cannot be reached. Symptoms ,[object Object],[object Object],Potential Mitigation ,[object Object],[object Object],Dropped from #3 since 2008 Occurs in 39% of projects “ I never actually gave you permission to go ahead with the project.” The sponsor to the project manager, when asked to mediate a situation with another team.

#8. Invisible Requirements Explanation The project has a ‘goal’, but no finalized requirements. Symptoms ,[object Object],[object Object],Potential Mitigation ,[object Object],[object Object],“ Well, if you are not going to be constructive we’ll just have to replace you.” a sponsor to a project lead, when the lead asked “What are we doing?” Dropped from #2 since 2008 Occurs in 50% of projects

#7. The Finance Challenge Explanation Not enough funding to complete the project as desired. Symptoms ,[object Object],[object Object],Potential Mitigation ,[object Object],[object Object],“ Don’t worry about the budget, we have no budget, just do the project, we’ll figure it out after.” A Sponsor to the project manager after being told, they had no budget code. Dropped from #4 since 2008 Occurs in 54% of projects

#6. Responsibility Unrelated to Authority Explanation Project manager (or team) lacks the authority to uphold their responsibility. Symptoms ,[object Object],[object Object],Potential Mitigation ,[object Object],[object Object],“ You are only authorized to complete the project, for anything else, you have to get written approval, but I’m not sure from who.” Clear instructions on the modus operandi? from the sponsor to the project manager Up from #9 since 2008 Occurs in 60% of projects

#5. Tardy Delivery of Project Tasks Explanation Suppliers are not delivering their tasks on time. Symptoms ,[object Object],[object Object],Potential Mitigation ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ No problem, we can have it for you by when you want it, mostly … I’m sure, give or take a few things, or a week, maybe.” a Supplier, guaranteeing delivery to the Project Manager Up from #6 since 2008 Occurs in 60% of projects

#4. Minimal or Nonexistent Testing Explanation The testing (Q&A) process is either nonexistent, or reduced beyond any planned duration. Symptoms ,[object Object],[object Object],Potential Mitigation ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ We just saved 22% of the budget by cutting out QA, entirely. After all, we could test Monday morning in production!” a Project Manager to his Sponsor with a rationale Up from #7 since 2008 Occurs in 61% of projects

#3. The Resource Challenge Explanation Not enough resources to complete the project as desired. Symptoms ,[object Object],[object Object],Potential Mitigation ,[object Object],[object Object],“ If everybody stayed in the office, worked around the clock, took no breaks, and stopped everything else we could finish the job by this Tuesday.” A Project Manager to his sponsor when asked to do more with less. Up from #5 since 2008 Occurs in 74% of projects

#2. Challenging Schedule Explanation The date for delivery of the project’s solution makes it difficult to deliver on time. Symptoms ,[object Object],[object Object],Potential Mitigation ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ The deadline for this project is Tuesday, January 11th, because we started on November 1st, and that makes it all one’s.” a sponsor to the project team Up from #8 since 2008 Occurs in 78% of projects

#1. Spontaneous Requirements Explanation Scope creep. Symptoms ,[object Object],[object Object],Potential Mitigation ,[object Object],[object Object],“ Since we have the patient open, why don’t we also remove the appendix, he’s not using it, is he?” a surgeon who is no longer practicing. #1 since 2008 Occurs in 84% of projects

North America and Western Europe

Between Outsourcers and Customers

Mitigation ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

People ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],What’s your team’s temperature? Have you enforced accountability? Who are you attempting to communicate with, and how do they perceive you?

One final thought… Success is not by chance.

2009 Top Ten Obstacles To Project Success

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