9 Mistakes to Avoid for Flawless Project Execution

Every company wants flawless project execution.

But in reality, 70% of projects fail.

Stop making these 9 misteaks today:

— Jasper Polak (@polak_jasper) June 14, 2023

1) Lack of clear goals

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.

— Jasper Polak (@polak_jasper) June 14, 2023

2) No business alignment

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.

— Jasper Polak (@polak_jasper) June 14, 2023

3) Unrealistic expectations

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.

— Jasper Polak (@polak_jasper) June 14, 2023

4) Inadequate leadership support

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.

— Jasper Polak (@polak_jasper) June 14, 2023

5) Miscommunication

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 😉

— Jasper Polak (@polak_jasper) June 14, 2023

6) Poor risk management

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.

— Jasper Polak (@polak_jasper) June 14, 2023

7) Unstable team

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.

— Jasper Polak (@polak_jasper) June 14, 2023

8) No culture of accountability

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.

— Jasper Polak (@polak_jasper) June 14, 2023

9) Overemphasis on a plan

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.

— Jasper Polak (@polak_jasper) June 14, 2023

As an interim COO & advisor, I help companies get their project management under control.

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

— Jasper Polak (@polak_jasper) June 14, 2023