Why do some projects fail?

What are some of the key contributors to project failure?

A lot of failed projects can be attributed to one, some or all of the following common errors in my opinion.

1. Business outcomes (goals & objectives) are poorly defined. As a result of being poorly defined & documented business outcomes are often misunderstood & also lack the appropriate level of stakeholder engagement & commitment. All project team members need to understand the project goals, the objectives & ultimately the benefits (outcomes), plus stakeholders need to take ownership & accountability on projects for driving these outcomes. Not understanding the business outcomes & not having key stakeholders & business users committed is a key risk for project failure. Ultimately, we all need to be pushing/pulling in the same direction with a clear understanding of why, who, how, what, when and where (Kipling's six wise men).

2. Poor project setup. A lot of projects I have rescued in the past have been poorly set up in the first place with an inadequate or incorrect governance structure alongside inefficient & insufficient planning. Getting the foundations right & setting up the project correctly is a key building block for success. You need to start your project off on solid footings/foundations otherwise it will be prone to falling over on a regular basis! A poor project set-up increases the risk of project failure massively. Setting up a project properly doesn't mean you wont fail, but it will help you 'fail forward', thus making remediation easier to get your project back on track.

3. Resources do not have the relevant skills, expertise and level of experience for the job in hand. Make sure you have quality resources on-board & assigned to the right roles based upon your project requirements & needs. Quality resource with the right skills & expertise will save you a lot of pain in the long run & increase your chances of success. You wouldn't employ a plumber to re-wire your house so don't expect your Business Analyst to be your Organisational Change Manager & Business Readiness expert. I have seen a number of companies try & cut costs by getting unskilled/less experienced resources to do jobs that they are not qualified to do. This adds significant risks to the overall project failure.