Project management techniques have been vital to the success of many different business and industrial domains in recent years. A report by GoStudy Consulting suggests that the demand for project management in Ireland has been increasing at a rapid pace of 22% per year.
While the benefits have been iterated in multiple places including project management course prospectuses, not a lot has been written about the challenges.
The way we run business projects in corporate environments has been evolving over the last few years. As business environments and goals become more complex, it is getting more difficult to run things the way we used to.
Sticking to old project management techniques instead of updating them can greatly impact the performance of your organisation and its resources. As per data published in a Project Management Institute study in 2020, 11.4% of business investments are wasted due to faulty project management policies.
Poor project performance can be a culmination of multiple factors—lack of comprehensive planning, unrealistic budgeting or even inconsistent methodologies.
Breaking down these reasons can allow us to categorise them into three primary categories—communication-related issues, people-related issues and process-related issues.
The first step to overcoming project management challenges is to understand them in-depth. Let’s visit some of the most common project management challenges managers face in 2022.
Lack of communication or miscommunication
More often than imagined, business projects go haywire because the associated stakeholders aren’t on the same page. Miscommunications, misinterpretations and poor communication can derail or delay your project goals.
Unless you can provide clear instructions regarding the project and communicate its objects effectively, people won’t know what to do.
This issue can be remedied easily through a proper communication structure. Such a structure will outline the appropriate communication methods and the language that should be used to remove ambiguity regarding the project.
Absence of clear project goals that align with business objectives
Many business projects also fail when there is no coherence about why the projects are being undertaken and what they are expected to achieve. Failing to decide and communicate proper goals for a project can also impact the budget and resource allocation, ultimately hampering the project’s execution.
The best way to overcome this problem is to have a pre-work business case or proposal in place before you start working on the project. The proposal can help you outline the business value of the project along with its short-term and long-term impact.
This can also help you convince senior stakeholders that your project aligns with the organisational goals which might increase the budget for the project.
- Scope creep
Scope creep is a regular occurrence in many projects especially when clients are unsure of what they want. Scope creep refers to a scenario when the scope and the goals of the project are expanded without any prior notice or intimation.
While it can be frustrating to deal with new, unrealistic demands or requirements, there are plenty of ways to overcome scope creep in your project. You can communicate with your clients and convince them about the impact of last-minute changes or additions. You can also remind them periodically about the original plan when new changes are suggested.
- Lack of accountability among team members
Every team member usually has an integral part in a project and its outcome. However, problems can arise if some team members aren’t invested in the success of the project.
Lack of accountability among your team members can create a ripple effect, which can bring down the productivity of the entire group. It can also affect multiple phases of your project workflow and slow down its progress.
That’s why it is important to make each member aware of their roles and responsibilities at the outset. Regular encouragement and appreciation can also motivate them to be accountable for their personal responsibilities.
- Unplanned deadlines and fallacies
An overly ambitious and optimistic timeline and unrealistic expectations for a project can derail it even before it starts.
Unrealistic project deadlines can be the result of poor planning, lack of accuracy in estimating project goals and an unspoken pressure from leadership to obtain fast results.
To remove these fallacies, you should ask for input from the people involved in the project and get a realistic idea of the time required to complete it. As a project manager, you should also be able to stand your ground if and when other stakeholders ask to shorten the project deadlines.
Here are some other challenges that project managers face on a regular basis in their jobs:
- Unrealistic budgeting process and goals.
- Skill gaps among team members.
- Improper resource allocation.
- Lack of or inadequate management of common risks.
On top of these challenges, you might also face unnecessary engagement from stakeholders and the absence of the required project management tools.
You can easily learn how to overcome these kinds of issues through a well-structured project management diploma. Such a programme will help you understand the latest project management practices like Agile and hone your ability to handle large projects and resources.
The IBAT College Dublin offers a relevant Diploma in Project Management that can be useful for you. This project management course in Dublin is a Project Management Professional (PMP) credential that is industry-recognised across the globe.
The online format of this project management course in Ireland allows you to study from your home and save money on accommodation and transport. The course is also a great way to upgrade your skills if you are a working professional.
Click here to enrol in the project management course at IBAT College Dublin today!