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Craig Brown

26 reasons why projects succeed or fail

There are several studies out there that identify why projects go wrong and what you have to have in place to make sure they have a chance. Naturally the readers of Modern Analyst (and BetterProjects.net) are aware of the importance of good requirements management, a theme which permeates the list below, culled from a range of PM literature[1].

You will have heard of many, if not all of these issues before. Today I want to put them into a new context for you; that of the business analysts’ role on projects and what you can do to help your project achieve success.

Consider firstly the degree to which the business analyst can control, influence or block each of these issues, then reflect on your personal experience. What techniques have you applied in these areas, and how effective were they?

Critical Factors for Projects

Support from senior management
Clear realistic objectives
Strong/detailed plan kept up to date
Good communication/ feedback
User/client involvement
Skilled/suitably qualified/sufficient staff/team
Effective change management
Competent project manager
Strong business case/sound basis for project
Sufficient/well allocated resources
Good leadership
Proven/familiar technology
Realistic schedule
Risks addressed/ assessed/ managed
Project sponsor/champion
Effective monitoring/control
Adequate budget
Organizational adaptation/culture/ structure
Good performance by suppliers/ contractors/ consultants
Planned close down/review/ acceptance of possible failure
Training provision
Political stability
Correct choice/ past experience of project management methodology/tools
Environmental influences
Learning from Past experience
Appreciating Different viewpoints

Now your mission, should you choose to accept it, comes in two stages.

Firstly comment below sharing your stories, and secondly go back to your project and see what you can do differently to help your team deliver success.

[1] I picked up this list from a doctoral thesis I read, but the copy I saw did not have the Author’s name on it.

This entry was published on Mar 25, 2008 / Craig Brown. Posted in Project Management, Soft Skills, Leadership & Management. Bookmark the Permalink or E-mail it to a friend.

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