3 common reasons why projects fail:
- Poor-quality data. The data used to assess the project is inadequate or just plain wrong. A project team may pick up an idea and run with it before critically evaluating the desired outcomes and alternatives.
- Optimismbias.Peoplearetoooptimisticaboutwhatcanbeachievedwiththeresources and deadlines available. The focus is on the benefits the project will achieve rather than what it will take to deliver the project.
- Strategic misrepresentation (deception). There may be incentives to make the project look good on paper in order to get the project approved or to win the contract. So people may deliberately provide unrealistic cost estimates and delivery timetables.
Of the three reasons why projects go so wrong, which reason do you think is the most difficult to prevent? Explain your answer.