No matter how skilled you are at project management, there will be times that your projects fail. This is even truer when first starting a business, as you learn through trial and error. However, doing thorough research and being skilled in project management can help, and as a project manager and/or business owner, you need to be aware of the signs that your project may be failing. Here are five common signs that you may need to take a second look at in your project management plan.
The Main Reasons Projects Fail
Before we look at the common signs, it is worth looking at why most projects fail to begin with. Nobody wants to begin a project thinking that it may fail, but you have to go in with both a positive and open mindset. Being successful doesn’t happen overnight, so project managers are trained to spot early warning signs. Unfortunately, many new businesses often don’t take advantage of the many free articles out there that can inform them of vital information or check out the various project management tools available to them.
Your Team is Quiet
In business, communication is vital to success. While silence may be a sign that everyone is busy working, it may also be a sign that someone is struggling and doesn’t want to come forward, or it may be that your team doesn’t understand the importance of communicating with the whole team. Addressing this early can ensure it doesn’t happen. Explain the importance of communication and regularly check in with your team. Be approachable so that nobody feels they cannot admit a mistake.
There Are No Risks
If your whole project feels completely risk-free, it is probably because you haven’t done a proper risk assessment. Every project will have risks, some of the most common being time and money. This is why you should look at the risks of each project before you start. From here, you can set SMART goals for each risk, meaning that you have covered each base, and you should be regularly checking in on these. It is a good idea to have a plan A, B, and C.
All Tasks are Priority
If every task in your project seems to be a priority, it could be that you don’t understand how to prioritize or that you haven’t got enough time or staff members to complete the work on time. Remember, important and time-critical are two separate things. Every task that needs to be completed is important to the success of your project. Sorting deadlines for each task can help you to understand what tasks really should take priority. If you are struggling with your team to finish tasks on time, it may be that you need to find a better way of doing things, or you may need a larger team. You can hire freelance workers if you cannot afford to hire someone on a permanent salary.
You’re Running Out of Cash
One of the leading failures of a project, and ultimately to the failure of a business, is going over budget. Entrepreneurs should calculate a budget before the project begins, and this should be as detailed as you can make it, with expenses such as travel, salaries, and supplies. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to ensure that you haven’t forgotten a hidden or unobvious expense, and this is why you should be keeping a close eye on your incoming and outgoing cash flow each day. If you notice that your budget is dwindling, you must look at why and fast.
You’re Constantly Changing Methods
Every project should follow a certain process so that it can succeed. Each process should have clear steps that every member of staff understands and can follow. These don’t necessarily need to come from yourself; many processes can be found online, as well as project management tools, tips, and software. Kanban can help you change how you plan and run projects and provides the best practices for managing any project for your business. If you have project management issues, see how Agile principles and Kanban boards can improve your projects and lead to a better, more streamlined process.
With your new business, you will definitely need some knowledge of project management, which could easily be done through PMP certification training.
Regardless of their project management experience, business owners need to be aware of the common signs to ensure that they have a hold of the situation and understand their business projects. The steps to success include being aware of failures and bouncing back from them quickly. The most successful businesses in the world have suffered from failed projects and project management issues. How you deal in the face of adversity will strengthen your business and your workers. Be aware of the above signs during your project and consider hiring a professional project manager if you haven’t already done so.
