9 Mistakes to Avoid for Flawless Project Execution
Every company wants flawless project execution, but 70% of projects fail. Learn the 9 mistakes to avoid in order to ensure success. Clarity and business alignment are key!
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Jasper Polak
Founder of https://t.co/Cf21RV15S3 - exploring & sharing how you can become a smarter project manager | COO & Operations Coach
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Every company wants flawless project execution.
— Jasper Polak (@polak_jasper) June 14, 2023
But in reality, 70% of projects fail.
Stop making these 9 misteaks today: -
1) Lack of clear goals
— Jasper Polak (@polak_jasper) June 14, 2023
Your teams can't deliver what they don't understand.
Resist the urge to give someone a vague description and expect them "to just fix it".
Agree on:
- What success looks like
- How you'll measure it
Clarity is power. -
2) No business alignment
— Jasper Polak (@polak_jasper) June 14, 2023
A project either solves a problem or captures an opportunity.
If it's not in line with your business goals & strategy, don't do it.
It's a matter of time before departments or teams clash over resources & priorities, and you have no way to prioritize. -
3) Unrealistic expectations
— Jasper Polak (@polak_jasper) June 14, 2023
This is the nr 1 cause of delays & budget overruns.
You know your business, and so does your team.
And it's so simple.
NO.
You can't make a baby in 1 month with 9 mothers!
If you know it can't be done, don't ask for it. -
4) Inadequate leadership support
— Jasper Polak (@polak_jasper) June 14, 2023
A project is only as successful as its sponsor's commitment.
Good sponsors provide:
- Focus
- Support
- Visibility
- Feedback
- Resources
Good sponsors shield a team from distraction.
Bad sponsors ARE a distraction.
Choose wisely. -
5) Miscommunication
— Jasper Polak (@polak_jasper) June 14, 2023
Just because you said it, doesn't mean it was heard & understood.
Communication is both art & science.
But the basics are simple:
- Repeat yourself often
- Right medium & time
- Be clear, not clever
- Ask, don't assume
Just like Twitter 😉 -
6) Poor risk management
— Jasper Polak (@polak_jasper) June 14, 2023
It's when, not if 💩 will hit the fan.
Do a good risk management session at the start of every project, and keep it up to date.
If an assumption changes, so does the associated risk.
Manage risk like your project depends on it, because it does. -
7) Unstable team
— Jasper Polak (@polak_jasper) June 14, 2023
People come and go on projects. That's normal.
But some organizations seem to be playing musical chairs all day long.
And then they wonder why their teams are not "cohesive".
Really?
Dedicated, full-time resources are a cheat code for project success. -
8) No culture of accountability
— Jasper Polak (@polak_jasper) June 14, 2023
The only acceptable answer to "who owns this" is one single name.
If this is not the norm in your company, don't expect it in a project team.
Start building a culture of transparency & accountability today.
How?
It starts with you as a leader. -
9) Overemphasis on a plan
— Jasper Polak (@polak_jasper) June 14, 2023
The power is in the planning, not in the plan. The research, analysis, conversations, and decisions is where the real value lies.
But in the end, it's the people that will make the difference.
And no amount of planning can fix a people issue. -
As an interim COO & advisor, I help companies get their project management under control.
— Jasper Polak (@polak_jasper) June 14, 2023
If you're stuck in a cycle of failed projects, let's talk.
I've got limited capacity left in Q3.
Send me a DM and let's make execution your unfair advantage.https://t.co/augvLKD05m -
Twitter is great for tactics and action.
— Jasper Polak (@polak_jasper) June 14, 2023
But we can't go deep.
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