Project Failure Source 9 - Adapting to Change

Note: This posting is a continuation to the topic posted on June 24th and relates to my project management workshop titled "10 Ways to Increase Your Project's Success". In this post I discuss one of the sources of project failure and how we may mitigate this risk to our projects.

Source 9 - Adapting to Change
The project variables (scope, schedule, budget) and the project environment are almost never consistent throughout the project. Almost every project will experience changes in organizational priorities, organizational processes, or changes to the initial project variables. In fact, the one thing we can count on as project managers is change occurring in our projects.

Effect on Project
Changes to the project environment often influence our ability to deliver the project scope and may also impact our ability to continue to hit the target date and stay within the project budget. These changes may make us alter our processes, transition new project team members, or completely redefine the project goals.

Actions Taken by the Project Manager

Project managers need to acknowledge change occurs and must be diligent in recognizing changes that influence the project. As potential changes are recognized, the project manager must be able to respond and develop plans to address the new changes. Keep in mind these changes may be challenges to the project such as budget cuts or requirement changes or these changes may be new opportunities such as scope expansion or new optimizations. The project manager must respond to change and guide the project through the changes by adjusting the project variables to accommodate the change. Also, the project manager must be sure to proactively communicate the influence new changes may have on the project and the new plans the project will apply to respond to the change. All of this can be accomplished through effective risk management techniques and tools.


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