Common Mistakes In Engineering Project Management

I've asked dozens of project managers one simple question: “What scope gap mistake cost you the most money?” The result: 7 critical scope gaps every PM (from intern to executive) should know and avoid. Let’s dive in: ❌ Mistake 1: Electrical Assumptions Too often, PMs assume trade partners understand their scope boundaries. Who provides final power to the misc. HVAC equipment—the HVAC contractor or the electrician? Each thought the other would handle it. No one did. ❌ Mistake 2: Overlooking Specialized Requirements The GC realized standard paint wouldn’t hold up in the humid environment. The painter didn’t offer mold-resistant coatings, forcing a last-minute subcontractor hire. A good PM spots unique requirements early. A bad PM discovers them during execution. A legendary PM bakes them into buyout. ❌ Mistake 3: Equipment & Integration Gaps "Who connects medical equipment to utilities?" Seems simple. Until you're 3 weeks from commissioning with finger-pointing between MEP trades and equipment vendors. ❌ Mistake 4: Underground Coordination Gaps We all think the plumber will back fill their own trenches. Until they don’t. Who owns back fill & compaction after sewer and water piping is installed—the plumber or sitework contractor? ❌ Mistake 5: Automatic Doors & Security Confusion Auto doors seem straightforward—until you ask these questions: - Who runs power to the operator: electrical or doors? - Who installs low-voltage wiring for electrified hardware? - Who connects it to the security panel in IT closet—the security contractor or IT? ❌ Mistake 6: Fireproofing on Structural Steel Fireproofing steel beams is a code requirement, but who installs it? Does the structural steel contractor include fireproofing, or is it a separate trade? Assume wrong, and you’ll either overpay or delay the schedule. ❌ Mistake 7: The Caulking Confusion Caulking is required at door frames, floors, ceilings, and finishes. Who owns it? The flooring, painting, or wall protection trade? Miss it in buyout, and you’ll scramble to cover it later—at an extra cost. Here's the thing: Scope gaps ARE avoidable. These mistakes cost time, money, and trust. The best project managers don’t just “buy the work” during buyout. They also buy the behaviors that make a project successful. That's why I recorded everything I do behind-the-scenes to lead a seamless buyout. ✅ How to eliminate scope gaps ✅ How to structure a bulletproof buyout process ✅ How to prevent last-minute surprises 5,800+ PMs already received it. Want the full playbook? 📩 Read here: https://lnkd.in/g5SHiqJS What scope gaps have crushed your projects? Drop them below. ⬇️ In partnership with Roger.

I've seen it happen too many times... Projects that should have been successful end up struggling from day one because of avoidable mistakes made at the start. After years of rescuing troubled projects, I've identified these critical errors that derail projects before they begin: 🏃♀️➡️ Rushing past stakeholder alignment Many PMs are so eager to "get started" they skip proper stakeholder engagement. The project kick-off isn't just about presenting a plan—it's about confirming everyone shares the same vision. When stakeholders have different expectations, your project is already in trouble. ❓ Accepting vague requirements "We need a better workflow" isn't a requirement. Neither is "It should be more efficient." Accepting fuzzy requirements at the beginning guarantees scope creep later. Push for specificity early and often to make sure you have a firm definition of done. 🛠️ Underestimating resource needs I've never seen a project that needed fewer resources than initially planned. Be realistic about what you need—especially time commitments from busy team members. If you can't secure adequate resources, reconsider your timeline or deliverables. 📝 Skipping the communication plan How will updates be shared? Who needs what information? How often? What's the escalation path for issues? Without a clear communication framework, misunderstandings multiply and small problems grow unnoticed. These mistakes aren't just theoretical—I've made EVERY single one of them....AND I've spent countless hours correcting their impact! What's the biggest project initiation mistake you've encountered? I'd love to hear your experiences! #pmp #projectmanagement #projectleaders #programmanagement #projectmanagers #programmanagers #projectmanagementcareers #capm

Projects Fail at the Beginning, Not the End. Most projects don’t crash at the finish line. They were doomed from the start. Poor planning, unclear goals, and misaligned expectations set the stage for failure long before the first deadline is missed. Here are 9 early mistakes that silently kill projects: 1️⃣ No clear definition of success: → If you don’t define it, you can’t achieve it. → "Done" becomes a moving target. 2️⃣ Stakeholders aren’t truly aligned: → Assumptions replace agreements. → Hidden conflicts surface too late. 3️⃣ Planning skips the ‘what if’ scenarios: → Risks exist whether you plan for them or not. → Without contingencies, problems turn into crises. 4️⃣ Timelines are built on hope, not reality: → Over-optimism ignores complexity. → Pressure leads to burnout, not results. 5️⃣ Resources are assigned without capacity checks: → Availability ≠ capability. → Overloaded teams can’t deliver quality work. 6️⃣ Communication is left to chance: → Silence breeds confusion. → Unclear roles lead to duplicated or missed work. 7️⃣ Early warning signs are ignored: → Small issues snowball into major blockers. → Proactive problem-solving never happens. 8️⃣ Decisions are delayed or avoided: → Uncertainty kills momentum. → Teams hesitate instead of executing with confidence. 9️⃣ Leaders focus on output, not outcomes: → Activity ≠ progress. → Deliverables pile up, but value is missing. Projects fail where they begin. Set them up for success from day one. Agree?