5 worst project management mistakes

When a new project starts everyone is motivated at first and happy to get stuck in. Unfortunately within the process some projects fail. We have summarised the 5 worst project mistakes a project manager can commit. Keep your project safe and avoid our 5 worst project mistakes below.

1. Starting a project without a project plan

We have all heard the excuses for not creating a project plan beforehand. You will hear “projects never got to plan anyway” or “we don’t have time for that, let’s just get started with the project”. However, this is the first step on the road to a failing project.
Always start with a project plan even if it takes time and effort, it will be worth it!

If you don’t know how to get started, read “Project Management: How to get your project started”.

2. Sudden changes of scope

You might have heard of “Scope Creep”. It means sudden changes in the scope of the project without an increase in resources or an extension to the project timeline.
Scope creep is a common problem for project managers. Managers or clients have the tendency to suddenly come up with new features midway through a project. The best way to deal with it is to eliminate those ideas in the root. Stick to your project plan and to make sure project will be done in time. Only commit to additions to the project if they are reasonable and you also receive the needed extra resources and time to be able to deliver them.

3. Trying to meet unrealistic expectations

Trying to meet unrealistic expectations is usually a consequence of either bad planning or scope creep. As a basic rule you can follow these steps:
• Deliver the basic product first
• Make sure it works
• Add extra features
If you skip one of these steps or try to implement everything immediately your project is very likely to fail. Of course it is easy to get carried away and it feels great to promise the client the world but he won’t be your client for much longer if you fail to deliver the project or don’t meet the deadlines.

4. Continuing a failing project

It is very popular practice to replace the project manager if a project has gone horribly wrong. Unless you have experience in turnaround projects, be careful when taking on such a task.
If you decide to risk it, the following rules might come handy:
• Develop a completely new scope
• Recruit a new team
• Get a new sponsor

Unless the management agrees to these changes, you should not take on a failing project.
 

5. Working with a dysfunctional team

Your team is one of the most important resources. If a team can work well together your project will be done in no time. But what if there are some troublemakers in your team?

As a project manager it is best to choose the team members yourself. Projects usually work best with a small team who ideally should be smart, skilled, dedicated, motivated, respect each other and their project manager.
If you are not allowed to choose your team you might want to rethink taking on this project. Otherwise you might end up coaching the team and being a project manager at the same time.

Did any of these mistakes sound familiar? If projects are successful or not depends on many factors and sometimes the best plan might fail due to unforeseen changes such as for example a sudden cut in funding. You can find further reading in our project management eBooks. Good luck with your projects!