Project managers are some of the most resilient and hard-working bunch. They will keep at it until nothing else can be done to deliver the perfect product. But sometimes this isn’t enough, and there are telltale signs of this. It is a project manager’s job to identify the problems and tackle them head-on. Carefully dismantling each problem so that the project is completed can be a tedious task, but alas, some projects are doomed to fail.
It is almost impossible for both the Project Manager and organization to tell what would be the ideal time to let go of the project. This is a serious decision that needs careful deliberation and thought before it is executed.
Here are a few signs that the patient (Your project) is not going to make it.
1. No Interest or Support
Usually, when the stakeholders and users express a lot of interest in the product, they want to see that project be completed on time and effectively. If the opposite is the case, then there is a very big chance that they have already made up their mind about the project being a failure.
If this was the case from the start, then it is best to divert your resources to something else. If your project has strayed from its original direction, then try to bring it back on track.
2. Organizational Goals
A project can seem exciting and wonderful, but if it does not lineup with the company’s ideals and morals, then it is something that you should avoid or cancel as soon as possible. A good example would be an Ad that runs on TV, which is very artistically pleasing but does nothing to sell the product.
This can also happen to projects that have more bells and whistles attached to them than a Christmas tree. Such projects lose their original goal and salvaging them is not worthwhile.
3. Rocky Performance
Sometimes a project is plagued with performance issues. It could be due to poor planning or just weak foundations. You should pull the plug on these projects as soon as possible and save everyone’s time, money and effort. Canceling a project is an expensive decision and you should be able to justify the cancellation. Explain to others in clear terms why the project will end up costing them much more time and money for an abysmal product.
