What To Do When Your IT Project Is Late, Over Budget, and Looks Like It?s Never Going To Work
Here's a scary statistic. According to four prominent research firms, only around 20% of all IT projects are finished in a timely manner. By "timely" the researchers mean without loss of quality or being over budget. They go on to say the average project runs approximately 200 percent late, roughly 200 percent over budget, and contains only 2/3 of the original functionality.
Failure is the norm in the IT industry. But why? And more importantly, how do we fix it?
There must be a way to dissect the problem, and create a solution to the diagnosis of "doomed failure." Trust me, there is!
Top 7 Problems and Their Solutions
Let's take a look at the top 7 reasons IT projects are late or over budget. Then I'll show you some proven solutions taken straight from the trenches.
1. Not Enough Time
Whether it's a misunderstanding of the complexity of computer system designs or some other reason, many times little time is devoted to gathering the necessary data. Because this is one of the first steps in the process, when adequate time isn't given to data collection, everything else suffers.
Likewise, enough time is rarely allotted to creating a good design. While the planning stage may not offer the excitement that development does, it is equally, if not more, important. Lack of planning in the design phase almost always leads to ongoing changes during the development phase. When this happens, budget dollars and man-hours are eaten away.
SOLUTION: Give it more time. This vital step must be given due consideration. Adjust your schedule as needed, and you'll find the rest of the process goes much smoother. Yes, you have to make it to market before your competition. But if you make it to market and your product is filled with bugs, what do you get? A pile of returns and complaints, and a bad reputation.
2. Open the Lines of Communication
It sounds like a cliché, but communication is absolutely vital to the success of any project. The communication between the development team and the users, and also the communication inside the development team must be crystal clear. Does everyone understand you? Do they know exactly what's expected of them or have you assumed they know? Do they communicate well with each other? With users? With other departments?
SOLUTION: Identify communication breakdowns now. These can only lead to confusion and complications down the road. Never assume that everyone understands. Take just a little extra time to create an environment that is destined to produce a product on time and under budget.
3. Testing a New Program in the Production Server
Testing in the production server leads to a breach of security, which can lead to "immediate" release without testing which can ultimately disrupt the production environment.
SOLUTION: There should be specific protocol setup for security and quality control considerations for new program tests.
4. Inadequate Testing
Experience and studies show that testing is almost always pushed to the end of the development cycle. Since the development is usually bad, the testers run out of time. The result? Running over schedule and over budget. Not to mention the release of an inadequate product.
SOLUTION: Remember problem #1? Ditto! Yes, you have to make it to market before your competition. But if you make it to market and your product is filled with bugs, what do you get? A pile of returns and complaints, and a bad reputation. Test all the way through the process, and you'll save a lot of time in the end.
5. Pressing the Budget Too Tight
When you have unrealistic goals for a project's budget to start with, chaos is bound to set in. Departments fall behind, resources are slow to arrive, and - because of budget constraints - the project, once again, runs off the road.
SOLUTION: Create an accurate budget. Also, outline ways to develop better upfront planning of the resources.
6. Never/Rarely Checking the Progress of the Project
As the project goes along, the unexpected happens. Various people implement their ideas as to how to fix these challenges and - when launch day comes - you're surprised with an entire list of challenges that need your immediate attention.
SOLUTION: Define "checkpoints" throughout the project. Give attention to those things that need to be adjusted along the way, even if they cause minor delays. Fixing them now, rather than later, will take less time overall.
7. Not Reviewing Existing Standards
Do most or all of your projects run late and over budget? Do you keep the same standards in place time after time? How's that working for you? If you keep doing what you're doing, you'll keep getting what you get. Let's face it? things change, and if you want to keep pace, you have to change, too.
SOLUTION: Take time to review the standards used for each and every project. Keep a running list of what worked, what didn't, and how to do it better next time.
The next time your IT project is late, over budget, and looks like it is never going to work, review this list again. Make the necessary adjustments, and you'll be downright amazed at the difference!
About The Author
Frank Schmidt is a seasoned Project Predictability Specialist specializing in Executive Coaching and Project Management Methodologies. He has worked with a wide range of companies, software developers, and human resource personnel to effectively meet the deadlines of urgent projects. Frank is available to consult on your next IT project. Visit his site today for additional details: http://www.GeniusOne.com; FrankSchmidt@GeniusOne.com
Latest News
Ipswitch WhatsUp Gold Network Management Gives Back in 2009 MSNBC - LEXINGTON, MA - Ipswitch, Inc.'s Network Management division, the leading developer of affordable and easy to use network management software, WhatsUp Gold, ... |
Lehman Deal Spins Off Part of Private Equity Unit Into Independent ... New York Times, United States - Under the deal, the private equity firm’s current management, led by Charles Ayres, will purchase the firm’s most recent fund — a $3.3 billion pool of ... Lehman Said to Weigh Sale of Merchant-Banking Fund to Managers Lehman deal on private equity close Lehman to spin out private equity arm: WSJ |
 Globe and Mail | Wal-Mart disappoints analysts, Walgreen chops management team Bizjournals.com, NC - (NYSE:WAG) announced plans to offer early retirement and severance programs to some 1000 corporate and field management employees, or 9 percent of those ... Video: Jan 8: Stocks Boosted by Mortgage Deal Retailers report dismal December sales Wal-Mart’s Bleak December May Herald More Pain in ‘09 |
Information Builders Partners With Tagetik to Deliver Corporate ... MSNBC - "Customers often require two solutions, an executive dashboard and an operational system to manage their performance management requirements," said Gerald ... |
 Reuters | Walgreen will cut 1000 management jobs in 2009 The Associated Press - NEW YORK (AP) — Drugstore operator Walgreen Co. said Thursday it will cut 1000 jobs by mid-year, or about 9 percent of corporate management, through a ... Walgreen to cut about 1000 corporate and field management jobs Walgreens Announces Reduction in Corporate and Field Management ... Walgreens to cut 1000 salaried posts |
Search Engine Optimization Inc. Announces New Addition to Senior ... MSNBC - "We are very fortunate to have Ed join our senior management team," said Garry Grant, CEO of SEO Inc. "Ed has the ideal blend of leadership, ... |
Z-Wave Alliance Showcases Brand-New Energy Management, Home ... MSNBC - Alliance member companies will showcase for the first time new, affordable energy management, home security and home control solutions in the Alliance booth ... |
Uptown men's shelter will stay open under new management Chicago Tribune, United States - Johnson declined to elaborate on the funding and management changes, but said, "We are very satisfied with the outcome of what has happened. ... |
Brookfield Asset Management 2008 Year End Conference Call ... MSNBC - You are invited to participate in Brookfield Asset Management's 2008 Year End Conference Call & Webcast on Friday, February 13, 2009 at 11:00 am (ET) to ... Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP 2008 Year End Conference ... |
 Times Online | Gary Berntsen Thinks CIA Needs 'Leadership Not Management' FOXNews - CIA COVERT OFFICER : Actually, we need leadership, not management at CIA. That person who's going to be in charge of CIA is in charge of our fight, ... Video: Analyst Weighs in on Obama's CIA Pick CIA director Obama's intel picks short on direct experience |
Resources
-
AdWords | Google AdWords | 21 Ways to Maximize ROI by Andrew Goodman
Get the original Google AdWords handbook by Andrew Goodman. This 155-page e-book is packed with advanced tips to help you maximize your AdWords campaigns. Download and get free December 2005 update.
-
Reservation software for Hotels, Motels, Bed and breakfast
Reservation software for Hotels, Motels, Bed and breakfast
-
Restaurant Checklists: restaurant menu design, cafe training, business plans, restaurant marketing a
Full package of restaurant information including restaurant menu design, training, restaurant business plans, restaurant marketing and Management forms and templates
-
Castlemelody.com: Web design and creative design of graphics
Web design with content Management system for dynamic and flexible websites.
-
...MySoftwareTemplates.com high-quality Microsoft Word templates for Software
Development, Proposal
Write successful Proposals, White Papers, Case Studies with slick templates, checklist and forms.
-
Living Within Your Means - The Easy Way!
"
-
PARENTING TOOLS to design the family of your dreams! What does your dream family look like?
Powerful tools for parenting, anger Management, and creative blocks!
-
Productivity. Improve business productivity through work measurement and method study.
Set of resources to improve worker, workplace and office productivity. Learn to measure productivity, calculate a productivity index and construct a total factor productivity index. Resources include team productivity and employee productivity.
-
Construction Information Services - Construction Management
Construction Information Services include Construction Management ebooks - Construction Software - Articles - Firm directories - Forecasting and Trends of the building industry
-
Landlord Property Management Rental Guide
Looking to manage your own rental property? Use our beginners guide for landlords and rental property investors!