When a Project is Off Track

In my last newsletter, I introduced the concept of project rescue. But how do you know if your project is veering off course? While no two projects are exactly the same, there are telltale signs that signal trouble ahead. Recognising these early warning signs gives you a chance to intervene before things spiral out of control. 

Let’s break these warning signs down into three key categories: people, process, and technology. By keeping a close eye on each of these, project sponsors and teams can act quickly to course correct. 

People Warning Signs 

Projects live and die by the strength of their people. If your team is struggling, the project will too.  

• Low morale and disengagement: Is your team showing signs of burnout or frustration? Low morale is a common indicator that something’s wrong. When employees feel disengaged, their productivity drops, leading to delays and subpar work. According to a Gallup study, disengaged teams are 18% less productive, which directly impacts project timelines. 
• Lack of clear leadership: Projects without leadership tend to flounder. If decision-making is unclear or there’s a constant shift in roles and accountability, it’s a red flag. PMI research shows that poor leadership is a leading cause in 32% of failed projects. 
• Poor communication: Miscommunication can lead to costly mistakes and misaligned efforts. If team members and stakeholders aren’t on the same page, this can result in duplicate work, missed deadlines, and confusion about project objectives. 

Process Warning Signs 

The structure and governance behind your project are just as important as the people. When processes are weak, the project’s foundation begins to crumble. 

• Scope creep: One of the most common process-related warning signs is scope creep. As the project grows beyond its initial boundaries, resources get stretched, and timelines become unrealistic. A KPMG study found that 70% of projects suffer from scope creep, leading to cost overruns of 15% or more. 
• Inadequate governance: Projects with weak governance structures struggle to stay on track. Without proper oversight and regular check-ins, key risks and issues go unnoticed, and the project may lack the support it needs from senior responsible officers. 
• Ineffective risk management: Risks are a part of every project, but failing to actively manage them is a recipe for disaster. Unforeseen challenges can derail a project if they aren’t properly addressed in advance. 

Technology Warning Signs 

The integration of technology is often a key component of business transformation projects, but it can also be a source of major disruptions if not properly managed. 

• Technical debt: If your project is relying on outdated or makeshift systems, it can slow down progress. Technical debt, or shortcuts taken in the past, needs to be addressed for the project to move forward efficiently. 
• Technology misalignment: When the technology doesn’t align with the business’s needs, the project loses focus. This can cause delays and wasted resources as teams scramble to implement solutions that don’t deliver value. 
• Inadequate testing: Lack of thorough testing during development stages leads to bugs and performance issues that are harder to fix later on. This can cause significant delays, particularly as rework becomes necessary. 

In my next newsletter, I’ll dive into how to get a project back on track once these warning signs are identified.