Failing ProjectsApril 2010
Daniel NewmanINTERNATIONAL PROJECT MANAGER
International Project Management
Over 1, 500projects in Europe, per
year*
* estimate
International Project Management
Over 100Government IT projects
in the United Kingdom per year*
* spectrum.ieee.org
International Project Management
40% FAIL to deliver*
* estimate
International Project Management
Project Failure
is RISING, especially within
I.T.*
* Gartner, META, and the Standish Group International
International Project Management
Project Failure
is costing BILLIONS*
* Gartner, META, and the Standish Group International
International Project Management
Project Failureis WORLDWIDE*
* Gartner, META, and the Standish Group International
International Project Management
WHY?
International Project Management
Failing projects
- what are they?- when do they occur?- avoidance? - tools & techniques- deploy countermeasures - case study
Answers
International Project Management
what are they?
• unrealistic timelines
• limited resources and understanding
• incredible internal and external pressures
• poor organisational support
• where termination is not an option
• designated a doomed project by everyone
International Project Management
when do they occur?
• during fast cash spending epochs (dot.com)
• on new programmes, projects and initiatives
• for favours ,"IBM CEO is my Godfather"
• when ego is under threat
• when good money is thrown after bad
Millennium Dome, £80 Million over budget!
International Project Management
cost £650 million to build and currently £650 million to run
The Dome
International Project Management
Wrote off $526 million on new automated supply-chain management system
International Project Management
10 years and $7 billion obliterated in under 40 seconds. Ariane 5, destructs due to software error.
International Project Management
Software errors cause $3.45 Billion credit over-payment.
International Project Management
Blowout preventer technology aboard Deepwater Horizon fails to kick in. 210,000 gallons of oil pours into the sea - daily!
International Project Management
NothingIsImpossible
Or are they ?
Failing projects,are impossible to deliver!
International Project Management
avoidance?
• you can say no, but prepare to be fired!
• negotiate creation of a project portfolio
• keep your ear to the ground, go to meetings
• be creative and proactive throughout
• keep watch and react wisely
International Project Management
tools & techniques?
• strategic bunker*, see everything in 1 place
• acquire project champion (CEO, no less)
• stress management – client and You!
• enforce quality with roles & responsibilities
• distort time (focus intently avoid disasters)
• collaborate with good tools - SharePoint!
* CRITICAL
International Project Management
deploy countermeasures?
• assess, prioritise, and agree deliverables
• identify all stakeholders, and dependencies
• register all risks, issues, and changes
• instill and promote transparency
• communicate and motivate everyone
• if all fails, call me!
critical path
International Project Management
GSM Portal Project:CURRENT Status: Stableo Full project authority acquiredo All suppliers re-engagedo Client apology and paymento Project back on track
Last updated: 1 Second ago
STRATEGIC BUNKERDependencies:Content providersIBMSiemensMotorolaMarcoms (internal)
PrioritiesAudit (include Archives)Content Management SystemPortal DesignSystem IntegrationSetup of all EnvironmentsCommunicationsRe-Use
Simulation70 Scenarios55 Counter measures
RISK log: If CMS not developed by us – then other projects impacted
Status: Failing Project
Description:
Immoveable deadline
Lack of QA & design resources
No system integrator
No project methodology
Environment setup incomplete
Client scope growing exponentially
Poor supplier management
Last updated: 20 Days ago
Location: Eastern EuropeProject: Launch largest GSM portalDuration: 45 daysTeam size: 27 – 35Cost: 4.7 million GBP
Issues log:
o Channels– 75%
o Team development–
50%
o Project motivation-
85%
o Trust- 90%
Case Study
Zagreb:Status: Critical
o Engage taskforce
o Deploy resuscitation
measures
Last updated: 2 Days ago
WARNING: Project
suspended
Chennai:Status: Normal
o QA team acquired
o Java programmers
landed
Last updated: 5 Days
ago
IPM
Clients include:
ABC NewsAmadeusGSKHMVIBMInteractive1J Sainsbury Plc Knight FrankLBNL Mobilkom Austria– VipnetNational Westminster BankPwCThe British CouncilThe European Society of Cardiology Daniel Newman
INTERNATIONAL PROJECT MANAGER