Project Failure: Whose Fault Is It?

When a project fails, whose fault is it?

It is the project manager who will ultimately be held accountable for the success or failure of their projects. And as the projects get larger in scope and importance, project managers’ careers rise or fall depending on project outcome. The stakes are big…but there are steps you can take as you move upward in this role that can provide you with safety nets even as your projects gain in complexity and visibility.

Experienced project managers have learned the value of project post mortems. Reviewing completed projects from start to finish can uncover critical lessons. If you apply the discipline after each project no matter how small, you will learn what works and what doesn’t in your unique situation.

Review, reflect and apply the learning to your next project assignment. You didn’t spend enough time in the planning phase? Spend more next time. You didn’t allow enough resources? Be sure you have budget and work force flex next time. You didn’t communicate often enough with the team and there was fallout? Next project, schedule more team meetings. You get the picture…