Project Failure Essay

Simple or complex, large or small, projects fail due by multiple influencing factors and the reasons could be many. Since every project is distinctive, has a definite start end dates, limited budget and involves multiple stakeholders it is tough to avoid failure unless right resources, methodologies and processes are in place. Key factors that could lead to a project failure are unachievable Requirements, unrealistic timelines, unskilled resources, poor communication, Unreliable Estimates, poor quality, poor Governance and inadequate Risk Management. To avoid project failure it is very important that these influence factors are handled appropriately with constructive planning and monitoring. The project managers have a significant responsibility towards the failure or success of a project as they are the reins who drive, plan and monitor the progress of the engagement.

There are number of factors that attribute to the Project failure. Lack of governance, inappropriate level of oversight, lack of operational proficiency is the rationale for a project failure. Poor requirements which elucidate the lack of objective is the foundation for a project failure. Ambiguous, lack of clarity contradictory and non-testable requirements lead to project failure. Unreliable, too tight, overly optimistic and unrealistic estimates and timelines is another significant reason that leads to project failure. Project stakeholders often try to estimate/calculate the duration of tasks, cost and resources for a project based on their experience or from the previous projects instead of using appropriate estimation techniques that is suitable the project. The outcome leads to flawed schedule, increased risk and in turn causes project failure. Poor, ineffect...

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...and poor project management practices. Also, according to article “The role of Project manager in improving the project Performance” by Abu Hassan Abu Bakar on Nov 6th 2011, Project managers with effective project management techniques will ensure the overall success of delivering the project within the restraints of cost, schedule, quality in meeting the customer requirements.

Source for the project failures involves multiple stakeholders, ineffective processes and ultimately having the right people in the appropriate places with effective governance realistic would lead the project outcome to success. And a skilled Project manager with effective project management gives a blueprint for the projects outcome. Once project is defined and agreed, the project manager focuses on delivery managing the project via effective methodologies to steer the outcome to success.