Common digital project risks

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A few common risks and mitigations for creative digital projects*Not an exhaustive list, but a simple guide

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Ineffective or low impact change management Organisation resistant to change including key delivery departments – significant new processes and structures in place that may cause short term resistanceMitigation: Educate, Inform and communicate; above all else, listen

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Too many committee decisionsArtistic direction becomes muddied due to too many stakeholders

Mitigation: In the end something that is creative needs creative direction. Identify who does that straight from the go and define their influence and make it clear to everyone, that they are the final arbiter.

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Differing departmental requirementsWill delay launch and cause unsatisfied internal customers; following changes will cost more money.Mitigation: try to understand what they actually need not what they say they need.

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Project resources may be reallocated for other (higher) priority projectsResources are currently committed to this project. Losing a resource would severely delay project. Mitigation: Plan ahead and understand the rhythm of the business, where key events happen

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Departmental CapacityToo much to do, day-to-day tasks getting the way; not enough people or time and this project getting the way of BAUMitigation: Understand workflows and demands, identify potential bottlenecks

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Inputs from departments will not be available when required Internal processes and workflows aren’t up to producing content on time.

Mitigation: Identify potential bottlenecks in workflows, communicate what you want and by when

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Recruitment and ResourcesCan you find the right people in time to do the job? Do you have budget to go further to find them?

Mitigation: Identify early and start recruiting early, use your networks

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Data Issues Data migration may result in loss of customer data. Customer data is key for day to day business operations. 

Mitigation: Whatever you make, data has to be at the heart from step 1.

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Internal Customers find new workflows and processes problematicBadly affects workflows

Mitigation: Early training; tell the story of why you have to change and how that will feel

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Audiences may be resistant to new productCustomer feedback to be instrumental in design, but not all customers will like the changes. May result in bad publicity or customer satisfaction issues. Mitigation: Test at every stage, even if its small groups of customers

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Impact on SalesYour new product causes drop in sales

Mitigation: Be prepared to monitor from day one and then iterate quickly. Launch is not a stop it’s a start

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Sign off delaysMissed deadlines

Mitigation: Define sign off dates clearly in plan up front and communicate it. If they still don’t do it, nag, sit outside doors and demand sign off and name and shame.