KEY FACTORS THAT
DETERMINE
PROJECT SUCCESS
AND FAILURE
Introduction
Project management remains an essential
element in ensuring that a project is
organized through the process of:
Conception and initiation
Definition and planning
Launch or execution
Performance and control
Project close
The The project management processes therefore include the following functions that are
aimed at ensuring that different resources are developed that meet the goals of an
organization:
- Project Conception and Planning:
In this, the idea of a project is conceptualized and examined to determine if its proponents
have the capacity to benefit an organization. In this phase, the element of decision making is
applied in determining if the project can be realistically completed. - Definition and Planning
A projects plan projects the scope of the project in a well written and outlined format that
determines the manner in which the project is performed. A team is therefore introduced in
this phase that considers the priorities of the project, its budges and schedule in order to
determine the resources required. - Launch and Execution:
The projects resources and tasks are distributed through an approach that the teams are
informed of their responsibilities. This remains the important time where the projects
related information is considered. - Performance and Control:
The project managers in this phase take comparisons of the projects status and progress in
relation to the actualized plan as resources are incorporated into planning the scheduled
work. This phase therefore requires the managers to adjust to the schedules of the project
with the aim of keeping the project on track.
Project Closure:
This phase therefore analyses the projects tasks that have been completed with the clients
appending their approvals on the outcomes. An evaluative approach is therefore employed
to highlight the project’s success and learn from the history of the project.
In integrating the functions of a projProblem
Statementect within an organization it is essential to
coIn integrating the functions of a project
within an organization it is essential to
consider the factors that impact the
outcomes of such projects that include:
The changing environmental factors that
rise due to project based work
2. The factors that emerge in relation to
the management of projects
TThe changing environmental factors that rise due to project based work
It is essential to consider the fact that project management approaches rise due several
challenging aspects such as the environmental factors and opportunities that arise from the
developments in technology, the changes in different environmental regulations, the
dynamics of market conditions and lastly the shifting boundaries of knowledge.
On the other hand, it is empirical to also consider that the drive towards the development
of short termed project cycles, inter organizational relationships, and the involvements of
the customers in determining the projects approaches in meeting their needs also remain
an element that contribute to the influx of project based work (Cecez-Kecmanovic, Kautz, &
Abrahall, 2014).. Several business factions are also carried out on environments that are
filled with competition and uncertainty, a need that is met with the development of projects
that suit the market needs.
- The factors that emerge in relation to the management of projects
In consideration of the factors that emerge in project management, there is a need for
project managers to consider the rationale behind the management of projects and the key
elements that need to be achieved by a developed project (Cecez-Kecmanovic, Kautz, &
Abrahall, 2014).. This therefore leads an organizations management to consider the
effective approaches that would be employed in addressing the need of a project. Through
the development of an effective project management approach, organizations are therefore
in a position to develop successful projects.
Project Management
Approaches
A project management approach is an element that eA project
management approach is an element that enables
an organization to achieve its goals effectively
thus addressing its constraints and situations.
These approaches therefore include;
Traditional approach
Critical chain approach
Extreme project approach
Event chain project approachnab
Traditional Approach
- The traditional approach to project management asTraditional
Approach
The traditional approach to project management assumes that the scope of a project and its
goals remain constant until a project is completed. This therefore ensures that the project
manager identifies and plans for a project based on this approach. - Critical Chain Approach;
This approach ensures that there is at least a single constraint that is likely to hinder a
project in achieving its goals through the utilization of complex processes and large numbers
of cross functional teams. This approach therefore requires that the project managers make
use of mathematical and behavioral sciences in predicting and analyzing a project in order
to remove the constraints.
- Extreme Project Approach:
This approach remains suitable for projects that deal with dynamic situations that may
include the changing of the customers’ requirements. In most cases, it may be challenging
to obtain clarity over the requirements of a project considering the fact that a project is in
many occasions guided by the changes in the market.
4.Event Chain Project Management Approach:
In this approach, a single constraint within a project has the capacity to
create several constraints that may affect the management of a project.
sumes that the scope of Research
Question:a project and its goals remain constant
until a project is completed. This therefore eIn determining the
proponents of project management, the following research
methods will be considered;
1.The factors that determine the success factors and failure of
a project within the manufacturing industry.
2.Approaches that can be developed to measure the success
factors and failures of a project
3.Approaches that can be used in achieving success in
projects
4.Appropriate methods of implementing a project within the
functions of an organization
nsures tFactors that
Determine the
Success of a
Projecthat the project manager identifies
and plans for a project based on this approach.
- The following factors are essential in
determining the success of a project;
- A right team in place
- Appropriate Planning
- Open Communication
- Careful Risk Management
- Strong Project Closure
- The Right PeopThe Right People In Place;
It is significant to note that the success of a project depends on the development of the
right team. This therefore requires a collective approach that involves the staffs, expert
resources, suppliers and stakeholders and the managers all who need to be part of a
dynamic team in the development and implementation of a project (Shahu, Pundir, &
Ganapathy 2012). The team therefore needs to be committed to their job functions and
need to share the vision of a project in order to strive for success. - Appropriate Planning
A comprehensive and detailed planning approach remains an essential element in the
development and completion of a project. This therefore requires the joint efforts of the
stakeholders who need to be included in the planning process in order to determine the
approaches that need to be taken to ensure the projects succeeds (Stanciu, & Tinca, 2013).
Planning therefore helps team members to meet their goals and deadlines, a factor that
keeps the projects team on track and the stakeholders aware of the progress of the project. - Open Communication:
As determined by Cao & Swierczek (2010), an open approach to communication within a
team remains an essential element in achieving the goals of a project. When working under
specific schedules, it is significant that the teams remain well informed. In any case a
problem is identified, a detailed approach to communication need to be employed in
rectifying the problems (pp.567). Communication should in this case be directed towards
the internal elements of an organization that ensures the proponents of the project are
communicated to the teams. - Careful Risk Management;
It is essential for the project managers to consider the element of risk management during
the planning process of a project. Through this, the managers are in a position to develop a
risk log with the aim of planning for the risks that a project may face (Cecez-Kecmanovic,
Kautz, & Abrahall, 2014). This would additionally require that the stakeholders are included
in the development of a risk log. This therefore gives the organization the confidence of
resolving issues when problems arise during the projects period. - Strong Project Closure;
In the event that a project does not have a strong closing approach then it is probable that it
will continue to consume the resources of an organization (Cerpa, & Verner, 2009). This
therefore requires that the project team remains firm in ensuring that the customers and all
the success factors have been achieved by a project. The confirmations on the projects
delivery, release and testing also need to be considered before its closure.
le In
Measuring The Success
Factors And Of A Project
In measuring the success factors of a project, it
is essential to consider ;
The stakeholder and customer satisfaction
The projects achievements in meeting its
business objectives
A projects end-user adoption
The project benefits to its stakeholders
The Stakeholders and Customers Satisfaction;
- bThe Stakeholders and Customers Satisfaction;
In this, the project management determines in the project satisfied the needs of the clients
(Fabricius, & Büttgen, 2015). In the event the management team of an organization discover
that the parties are satisfied, the gives a sign that the project was successful. - The projects achievements in meeting its business objectives
In this, the management of an organization analyzes the projects functions and whether this
meets their needs. This would require that feedback is received from the end users who
make use of the results of a project (Fabricius, & Büttgen, 2015). In the event that the
project meets its objectives, then this depicts the fact that the goals of the project are clear - Projects End User Adoption
A research is therefore conducted with the management team of a project to establish if the
consumers are making use of the results of the project and if not then there is a need to
make changes aimed at enhancing the results. Projects that are successful therefore have a
high-end user adoption coupled with the frequency in use of the results of the project.
The Projects Benefit to its Stakeholders:
A successful project realizes its benefits and meets the needs and targets of its stakeholders.
In an event that the objectives of a project are met and its benefits are not realized, then
there is a need to consider reviewing the objectives of the project in order to ensure its
results can be tangible (Joslin, & Müller, 2015).
ricius, & Büttgen, 2015). In the event the management team of an
organiApproaches That Can Be
Used In Achieving Success
In Projects
zatioIn managing a successful project, it is
essential to consider certain factors such as:
Leadership
Project Management approaches
Change Management
Team work in achieving the goals of a
project
Leadership
- In makiLeadership
In making the right decisions on the implementation of a project, there is a need of an
effective leadership team (Hwang & Lim, 2013). Through this, the leadership team if put on
the same page in making collective decisions on the right projects that need to be
implemented and the approaches that need to be developed in achieving the goals of the
project.
- Project Management approaches
This requires the formulation of an effective methodology that incorporates the
management in strategizing an approach of achieving the goals of the project (Hyväri, 2006).
Communication therefore plays a significant role in this process. The goal of project
management therefore remains in ensuring the project becomes competitive. - Change Management:
Change management remains an essential element I focusing on the implementation of
appropriate projects through the use of people who will be its end users. The success of a
project therefore remains in its acceptance and adoption by its users (Joslin, & Müller,
2015). This therefore requires that the people who carry out change management to
encourage employees to also purchase and foster acceptance of the results of a project. - Team Work
Through an effective team, a project is in a position to achieve its goals and objectives
within an organization. This requires that appropriate communicational approaches are
developed within the team members.
Methods Of
Implementing A
Project Within The
Functions Of An
Organization
ng the right decisions on the implementation of a project, there is a neIn
the development of an effective approach in implementing a project
within the functions of an organization, there is a need to:
Develops a set of missions and visions of the organizations that are
aligned to the organizations functions.
visons and missions are communicated effectively and roles defined for
each and every team
resources are directed towards the achievement of an organizations
vision and mission
Training of the human personnel to ensure
The element of project management remain
Conclusion
s an essential factor in ensuring that a project is oThe element of project
management remains an essential factor in
ensuring that a project is organized through a
process of controlling, planning, organizing
and measuring different resources with the
aim of achieving its objectives. It is therefore
essential to consider that the success or
failure of a project is determined by an
effective application of project management
approaches.
References List
Allen, M., Alleyne, D., Farmer, C., McRae, A., & Turner, C. (2014). A
Framework for Project Success. Journal of Information Technology &
Economic Development, 5(2), 1-17.
Besteiro, É. C., de Souza Pinto, J., & Novaski, O. (2015). Success Factors in
Project Management. Business Management Dynamics, 4(9), 19-34.
Cao Hao, T., & Swierczek, F. W. (2010). Critical success factors in project
management: implication from Vietnam. Asia Pacific Business Review, 16(4),
567-589. doi:10.1080/13602380903322957
Cecez-Kecmanovic, D., Kautz, K., & Abrahall, R. (2014). Reframing Success
and Failure of Information Systems: A Performative Perspective. Mis Quarterly,
38(2), 561-588.
Cerpa, N., & Verner, J. M. (2009). Why Did Your Project Fail?.
Communications Of The ACM, 52(12), 130-134.
