Uploaded byRittika Das
14 Project Management Lessons Learnt from an Unsuccessful Project
The document outlines 14 lessons learned from an unsuccessful project, highlighting the importance of clear communication and planning in project management. Key lessons include understanding contract details, setting clear scopes and expectations, and maintaining open communication with clients. It emphasizes the value of responsibility assignment, emotional intelligence, and having contingency plans to improve future project outcomes.
14 Project Management Lessons Learnt from an Unsuccessful Project
- 1. 5Project Management LessonsLearnt from an Unsuccessful Project
- 2.
- 3. We look forwardto the great opportunities they bring along, like
- 4. We look forwardto the great opportunities they bring along, like #1 working with clients & partners from new industries and verticals
- 5. We look forwardto the great opportunities they bring along, like #1 working with clients & partners from new industries and verticals #2 traveling to exotic client locations
- 6. We look forwardto the great opportunities they bring along, like #1 working with clients & partners from new industries and verticals #2 traveling to exotic client locations #3 learning new things
- 7. But in allthe excitement, we may miss out anticipating and planning for things that may go wrong on the project!
- 8. A couple ofthings gone out of place and we may find ourselves hitting a
- 9. A couple ofthings gone out of place and we may find ourselves hitting a DEAD END!
- 10. The eventual resultmay be a CHANGE in the strategic direction by the client, a REDUCED scope of work, or (the worst) an early TERMINATION of contract.
- 11.
- 12. THE IMPLICATION? The effortspent all along goes unpaid, creating a dent in the project profitability.
- 13. Sounds familiar toyou, right?
- 14. Project Managers, weFEEL your pain!
- 15. Being a partof a failed project can be indeed stressful!
- 16. Being a partof a failed project can be indeed stressful! However, the lessons learnt from it can help you to better PLAN and MANAGE the next one.
- 17. 14 Here are LESSONS LEARNT froma project that didn’t turn out to be successful
- 18. #1 - THECONTRACT IS YOUR PREAMBLE Spend time with your Sales team before the kick-off meeting to understand what was promised in it.
- 19. #2 - DISCUSSWHAT’S IN, WHAT’S OUT Start your kick-off meeting with the client by walking them through the scope, clearly stating what’s within and out of scope
- 20. #3 - SHARESLAs (SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT) AT THE ONSET If SLAs are not covered in the contract, share them with the client at the start to set the right expectation.
- 21. #4 - QUANTIFYEVERY DELIVERABLE Ensure that every deliverable/KPI has a quantifiable element assigned to it. Revisit items if they are qualitative or open to multiple interpretations. Termination Clause: The client has the right to terminate the contract if the results from the campaigns are not satisfactory. The client has the right to terminate the contract if the agency is unable to achieve the agreed campaign results for a continuous period of x months. Sample:
- 22. #5 - DON’TCOMMIT TO ITEMS THAT YOU AREN’T SURE OF Clients will demand for innumerable things throughout the project. Check with your internal teams first if you aren’t sure of a particular item.
- 23. #6 - AVOIDALWAYS SAYING “I WILL CHECK AND GET BACK” It’s okay to say that you’ll check a certain item with your team, but this cannot be a recurring statement. Prepare yourself for all possible questions.
- 24. #7 - MAKERESPONSIBILITY ASSIGNMENT MATRIX YOUR B.A.E Use Responsibility Assignment Matrix to clarify roles and responsibilities of all parties involved in the project, including that of the client. Responsible Approver Consulted Informed Media Plan Allen (Performance Marketing Consultant - Agency Side) Roe (Marketing Head - Client Side) - Tom (General Manager - Client Side) Creative Execution Koel (Associate Art Director - Agency Side) Hannah (Facebook POC) Sample:
- 25. #8 - CLIENTSFORGET WHAT YOU SAY BUT THEY REMEMBER HOW YOU MAKE THEM FEEL A friendly chat at the end of the meeting, sharing a piece of new info, or just showing empathy can help to build a the great relationship.
- 26. #9 - HAVEOPEN DISCUSSIONS DURING DIFFICULT TIMES Don’t shy away from having a discussion with client when things get difficult. Keep is candid yet professional, and propose steps for improvement.
- 27. #10 - MAINTAINA TIME, EFFORT & PROJECT PROFITABILITY TRACKER Ensure that your delivery team maintains a record of time & effort spent on the project to help you track the project profitability at every phase.
- 28. #11 - SETREGULAR ALIGNMENTS WITH DELIVERY TEAMS Set regular huddles with your delivery team to get updates on the project, discuss roadblocks and help them find solutions.
- 29. #12 - PEOPLELEAVE, PROCESSES STAY For every action, however small it may be, follow the established process to avoid confusions.
- 30. #13 - READBETWEEN THE LINES Not all clients will convey their displeasure in so many words. Watch out for cryptic messages, change in their tone or body language.
- 31. #14 - THOUGHTOF PLAN B? Though things may seem to go hunky-dory, it is always a good practice to think of all the things that could go wrong and prepare a backup plan. Plan A Plan B
- 32. “Remember the twobenefits of failure. First, if you do fail, you learn WHAT DOESN’T WORK; and second, the failure gives you the OPPORTUNITY TO TRY a new approach. ~ Roger Von Oech
- 33. Rittika Das Consultant -Analytics & Cloud LinkedIn: /rittika-das-bb8553a3 Get in touch with our consultants! hello@happymarketer.com
- 34.