In Business Since 2001 We accept Paypal
Home Article Directory
More from Bill Platt
"Bill Platt for Book Authors" Youtube Channel
Training for Book Authors
Other Resources for Book Authors & Publishers
FictionPlots.com (350+ Plots & counting)
Please Support Our Advertisers

 
D9 Hosting


Project Management Gone Wrong

Copyright (c) 2008-2023
(See This Article in its Original Format.)

The following are true stories of project management gone terribly wrong. Only the details and the names have been changed to protect the guilty. These stories were collected from colleagues who work on projects in large and small organizations in varying industries.

Project Management gone wrong #1: “Sam” was a web design freelancer who was hired by a multinational corporation to help them create a user-friendly web-based educational tool. Unfortunately, the details of the project changed frequently. Even the name of the project changed an unbelievable 6 times over the course of the project! Sam did his best to make each change as it reared its ugly head but he found that there were simply so many changes to be made that he quickly burned through the pre-determined budget trying to match existing content to the company’s inability to decide on anything; no money was spent on new content. The result? Sam delivered a project but it fell into disuse quickly. Sam didn’t have a good experience working with the company and the company was disappointed with the results so they never hired Sam again.

Project Management gone wrong #2: “Maria” worked in an IT department at a large organization. She was given a budget and assigned to complete a software conversion that would see some of the company’s data converted into a different format. As time went on, however, the budget was adjusted by the CFO who felt that she didn’t need as much money as she did. Later, a delay in the project caused by previously unforeseen conversion issues meant that she reached the end of her budget without completing the project. The CFO told her that no further funding was available. Maria moved on to other projects and the conversion that she hoped would be her key to a promotion was shelved indefinitely.

Project Management gone wrong #3: “Erika” was a freelance writer who was contracted by an organization to create new hire manuals. The project started, then faltered, as the Recruiting and Training manager decided to revamp the learning path of new hires. The project re-started, then faltered again as several managers in the client organization disagreed on the expected outcomes of the manuals. The project re-started, then faltered yet again, as the Director of Human Resources explored the possibility of revising the project to include other manuals as well. With every re-start, the budget burned up because Erika needed to get up to speed on the changes.


These 3 stories are true. They all took place within the past 6 months. They all happened to people I know.

If you look closely at the stories, you’ll note that each one experienced some problem related to the three elements of project management: scope, budget, and time. While each one had a primary issue (Sam’s was scope, Maria’s was budget, and Erika’s was time), every element is interrelated and one impacts the others.

What is needed here is strong project management. After all, each of these are indeed projects. But organizations simply pass the entire project to one person - an internal employee or an outsource professional - who is hired to do one thing (completed the work) but is actually expected to do two things (manage the project and complete the work).

Simply put, a project manager is needed as well. Project management requires a unique set of skills and talents and training that Sam and Maria and Erika (and others) may lack. These professionals were skilled in their area of expertise but were not as interested in doing the work of project management.

Project management requires skills in resource management, negotiation, customer service, creative problem solving, and there’s even some political savvy needed.

Ironically, project management seems like an additional layer in the hierarchy of a project but it is an essential layer that results in greater benefit than if the project management role was folded into the role of the person performing the work. A project manager...

  • Can keep all parties on track and keep the flow of information moving.
  • Acts as a conduit of communication to make sure all parties are talking about the same things.
  • Saves time and money by keeping projects moving and ensuring that budgets are spent wisely.

  • A project manager seems like an additional layer in the project but the result is the same as the equation 1+1=3. The very presence of a project manager adds value to a project by ensuring that the scope, budget, and time all work in unison so the project finishes successfully.

    A project that finishes successfully starts with a project manager. If you have a project - whether large or small - you can ensure its accurate and timely completion with someone shepherding it through the creation process. If you have a new initiative at work, or if your business has evolved and requires a solution, or if you’ve been tasked with creating internal or customer-facing content, don’t start with the creation of the work. Don’t “roll up your sleeves” and dive in. Don’t go looking for a freelancer. Start with a project manager. And that will be an investment into the successful completion of your project!




    About The Author: Shop Amazon - Top Gift Ideas
    Heather Villa's professional philosophy is that her role in the success of others will ultimately bring about her own success. Whether she is working from an advanced accounting or challenging marketing angle, offering guidance in development, organization, supervision, or administration, Heather makes sure that her clients get accurate answers from a professional that they can depend on. As CEO of IAC Professionals (http://www.iacprofessionals.com), Heather instituted a company-wide philosophy of professional and personal integrity, and IAC soared. Would you like to find out how Heather Villa can help drive your business toward greater success? http://www.hireheathervilla.com

    VOTE ON THIS ARTICLE
    Needs Work >> 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 << Excellent Article

    Tell our authors what you think about their article.



    Top-Level Category: Business Offline Articles

    10 Most Recent Articles Written by Heather Villa, CMA, MBA, MSM

    Finance: More Than Number Crunchers
    Written by: Heather Villa, CMA, MBA, MSM | Distributed: 2009-03-10 | Word Count: 678 | Page Views: 2389 | Votes: 9 | Rating: 0.78
    In businesses I've observed, Finance departments often face silent derision or disrespect. Part of it is an us-versus-them mentality that comes out of the front office staff who feel their jobs are more difficult because they deal with customers (compared to Finance, who deal with numbers).

    Business Opportunities Are Made Better with Outsourcing
    Written by: Heather Villa, CMA, MBA, MSM | Distributed: 2009-03-05 | Word Count: 545 | Page Views: 2545 | Votes: 10 | Rating: 1.90
    Mary saw it coming. The economy had dramatically impacted the company she worked for and there were several of pink slips handed out on Friday afternoon - her job had been axed, along with several of her coworkers. What now?

    How To Develop Organizational Culture With Outsource Staff?
    Written by: Heather Villa, CMA, MBA, MSM | Distributed: 2009-03-03 | Word Count: 524 | Page Views: 4603 | Votes: 12 | Rating: 2.75
    Today's businesses - even small ones - are complex organizations made up of in-house and outsourced or virtual assistance staff. The in-house staff might meet in a single office location, but the outsourced staff could be anywhere. It's a good business decision to outsource:

    Embracing the Recession
    Written by: Heather Villa, CMA, MBA, MSM | Distributed: 2008-11-25 | Word Count: 682 | Page Views: 3937 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 3.00
    We live in uncertain economic times. Every time we turn on the news we hear of another company that is going under or another company that is laying off thousands of its workforce or another company that has had to respond to a lack of shareholder confidence with kneejerk reactions. People just don't want to watch the news anymore!

    All of Author's Articles on this site:

    Most Recent "Business Offline" Articles

    How To Build a Strong and Powerful Business During a Recession
    Written by: Trey McMartin | Distributed: 2011-11-10 | Word Count: 987 | Page Views: 6606 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 0.83
    During a recession, most business owners pull the reins on advertising budgets, fearful of what tomorrow might bring... Those who remain fearful have forgotten what made them the success they are today... They have forgotten that they have a God-given talent to overcome the incredible obstacles in their paths.

    SEO Lessons from Local Businesses
    Written by: Trey McMartin | Distributed: 2011-11-09 | Word Count: 945 | Page Views: 6694 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 0.40
    More than once in the six years that I have been providing SEO services for websites, I have had the opportunity to discuss with individual business owners their search engine optimization needs. Now and again, I run across an individual business owner who is quick to say that SEO is absolutely worthless. When confronted with such an absolute statement, I like to press for details. It has been my experience that people who speak in negative absolutes will have a horror story to share.

    Where Will FDA Target Next? What IVD Manufacturers Should Know Before Their Next FDA Audit
    Written by: Norm Howe | Distributed: 2011-09-12 | Word Count: 706 | Page Views: 537
    Medical device manufacturers are always interested in knowing what FDA's next area of focus will be. Well, if you're an In Vitro Diagnostic manufacturer you might review your measurement systems.

    Online Fax - 10 Reasons To Get An Online Fax Service
    Written by: Titus Hoskins | Distributed: 2011-09-12 | Word Count: 560 | Page Views: 542
    Online faxing is the new more modern way to fax. If you or your company is not using an online fax service, here are 10 good reasons why you should get it.

    Best Effort Essential for the Job Interview
    Written by: Barbara Wulf MS, ACC, CPCC | Distributed: 2011-07-30 | Word Count: 676 | Page Views: 632
    Interviewing will determine if you are the right person for the job. These tips will help you make the job interview a success.

    Go Green With Your Career Search
    Written by: Barbara Wulf MS, ACC, CPCC | Distributed: 2011-07-28 | Word Count: 636 | Page Views: 5459 | Votes: 4 | Rating: 0.50
    Many of the qualities of green living, like recycling and sustainability, can apply to a career search, even if the career is not directly associated with green industries.

    ReCareer in the Second-half of Life
    Written by: Barbara Wulf MS, ACC, CPCC | Distributed: 2011-07-26 | Word Count: 525 | Page Views: 5459 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 1.20
    Many of us worked the first half of our life to "fit" the job description. ReCareering is about finding the right fit, being selective, being creative, being fulfilled and being intentional about how you spend your time.

    Up in the Air
    Written by: Barbara Wulf MS, ACC, CPCC | Distributed: 2011-07-24 | Word Count: 678 | Page Views: 598
    When looking for work or changing careers, go beyond researching on the internet and reading articles. Find out how you can learn from the art of listening and having a conversation.

    Salon and Spa Owners: Which Monk Are You?
    Written by: Dan Lok | Distributed: 2011-07-05 | Word Count: 477 | Page Views: 6239 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 1.00
    Too many salon and spa owners are carrying around a lot hurts, regrets, guilt, past failures and fears about the future. But no one is forcing you to carry these emotional rocks, so put that sack down!

    The Single Most Profitable Day You Spend on Your Spa or Salon!
    Written by: Dan Lok | Distributed: 2011-06-30 | Word Count: 470 | Page Views: 6566 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 0.20
    Salon and spa owners need to combine their marketing plan with marketing systems. A marketing calendar plans out strategies for a year, and is instrumental to the success of your spa or salon.

    Most Viewed "Business Offline" Articles

    How To Write A 300 Page Book In Four Months
    Written by: Mark Silver | Distributed: 2008-07-15 | Word Count: 821 | Page Views: 40103 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 1.38
    There's a lot of hoopla about becoming an author of your very own business book. The promise of fame and fortune is very alluring. Yet your book remains perpetually 'about to be' written. Meanwhile your business has ground to a halt. Hmmm... might there be a better way to get a book written?

    The Best Marketing Book I've Ever Read (You'll Be Surprised)
    Written by: Judy Murdoch | Distributed: 2007-05-09 | Word Count: 1522 | Page Views: 37233 | Votes: 17 | Rating: 3.18
    From time to time someone asks me to recommend marketing books. Here's one of my favorite marketing books that always surprises people. Curious? Read on.

    The Bizarre History Of The HOLLYWOOD Sign
    Written by: Morris Timlen | Distributed: 2008-11-05 | Word Count: 1211 | Page Views: 34804 | Votes: 30 | Rating: 2.70
    The most famous sign in the history of mankind is the one that graces the side of the hill above Hollywood, California. As famous a landmark as the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio De Janeiro, the Eiffel Tower in Paris France, the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, The Church of the Savior on Blood in Saint Petersburg Russia, and the Statue Of Liberty in New York City, the Hollywood sign is known around the world as the symbol of the American movie industry.

    What Does It Take To Be A Successful Salesman?
    Written by: Casey Moher | Distributed: 2008-08-05 | Word Count: 930 | Page Views: 27441 | Votes: 84 | Rating: 3.17
    In the course of my average workweek, I meet people who tell me that they have no sales experience, and very literally, many will tell me that they could not sell if their lives depended on it. Do you fit into this mold? Do you seriously believe that you can sell me on the idea that you cannot sell things?

    The Future of the Office Photocopier Industry
    Written by: Jennifer Robinson | Distributed: 2010-07-29 | Word Count: 635 | Page Views: 15827 | Votes: 39 | Rating: 2.00
    Since Xerox first invented and sold the first commercial photocopy machine companies and organisations have paid for use of the machine on a cost per copy basis. This has traditionally included full maintainance and toner supplied under a service agreement. In-fact the office photocopier is unique in the fact its one of the only pieces of equipment that comes without a warranty from new. But photocopier expert Online Connect UK claim all that is about to change.

    Never Write A 'Thank You' Letter Again
    Written by: Perry Maisin | Distributed: 2008-08-12 | Word Count: 971 | Page Views: 14879 | Votes: 22 | Rating: 2.09
    When I was in graduate school, I had a friend who interviewed at fortune 500 companies and succeeded at landing a great job. One day, I saw him sitting in the student union with a stack of cards. The cards said 'thank you'. He opened each card and signed his name. The inside of the card was blank. I asked him what he was doing and he told me that it was important to send a 'thank you' to every person you interviewed with. He believed that that was the difference between getting the job and being passed over.

    Selecting Between a 401(k) And 403(b) For a Nonprofit
    Written by: Daniel Lamaute | Distributed: 2007-10-11 | Word Count: 333 | Page Views: 14542 | Votes: 22 | Rating: 2.27
    Newly released IRS regulations impose several new requirements and fiduciary responsibilities on employers with 403(b) plans. While the regulations generally don't take effect until January 1, 2009, there are some provisions that apply sooner.

    Conducting Effective Career Aspiration Discussions with Employees
    Written by: Andria L. Corso | Distributed: 2010-03-10 | Word Count: 690 | Page Views: 13561 | Votes: 12 | Rating: 1.33
    Enhance your talent management and development programs through conducting career aspiration discussions with your employees. Find out where they want to grow their career to determine if it matches your business needs. This will enable you to differentiate your employee development to grow the future leaders of your company.

    Top Ten Personal Habits
    Written by: Laurel Vespi | Distributed: 2009-09-08 | Word Count: 427 | Page Views: 13261 | Votes: 12 | Rating: 2.08
    Successful people have a regular routine of daily or weekly habits that reinforce the things that are most important to them. By practicing a set of personal success habits, they maintain a positive outlook, keep focused on their priorities, have more energy, and a greater sense of satisfaction with life.

    Pitch A No-Hitter With Baseball-Themed Flower Gifts
    Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF | Distributed: 2007-12-25 | Word Count: 413 | Page Views: 11777 | Votes: 27 | Rating: 1.74
    Want to send a gift to the baseball fan in your life that's sure to knock one out of the park? Send flowers with a baseball theme! Everyone loves flowers and when you personalize them to include the recipient's favorite hobbies, like baseball, they're sure to make an even greater impression.

    Highest Ranked "Business Offline" Articles

    Equal Opportunity Pizza Ordering
    Written by: Rudy Vener | Distributed: 2007-10-19 | Word Count: 629 | Page Views: 5322 | Votes: 10 | Rating: 3.60
    With online ordering, your menu and restaurant suddenly become accessible to both the deaf and blind customers in your community.

    Lone Wolf --- Lead Wolf: The Evolution of Leadership
    Written by: Rick Johnson | Distributed: 2006-07-20 | Word Count: 1826 | Page Views: 4398 | Votes: 19 | Rating: 3.47
    Family owned organizations, both small and large, with succession issues, family preparation and second and third generation leadership issues have been subjected to the evolution of leadership. These organizations are often founded by an aggressive, highly talented entrepreneur. Many of the principles of leadership that helped build the success that the organization enjoyed in the past is not the type of leadership that will maintain that success through generations of ownership.

    Get the Balance Right
    Written by: Rich Thawley | Distributed: 2009-01-28 | Word Count: 638 | Page Views: 3932 | Votes: 15 | Rating: 3.33
    Do you build your business around your family or your family around your business? The choice is yours.

    Delegate Or Die: 6 Steps For Business Growth
    Written by: Rick Sloboda | Distributed: 2007-05-08 | Word Count: 366 | Page Views: 3657 | Votes: 24 | Rating: 3.29
    To achieve business growth, you need to focus on your strengths and hire others to take care of the rest. Unfortunately, entrepreneurs often fail to employ this fundamental business growth strategy. Here are six steps to help you delegate successfully.

    Whose Restaurant Can You Find Online?
    Written by: Rudy Vener | Distributed: 2007-07-09 | Word Count: 640 | Page Views: 5031 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 3.29
    What is so significant about Pizza Hut's latest TV commercial?

    Why Businesses Need Receivable Factoring In Cash Flow Management
    Written by: Toby Seibert | Distributed: 2007-08-08 | Word Count: 866 | Page Views: 7292 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 3.29
    In today's business environment, many businesses need to fine-tune the process of getting paid on invoices, in order to improve their cash on hand. Improving cash flow can be an ongoing challenge for businesses of all sizes, and it is an issue that must be addressed to ensure the long-term viability of the business.

    Boost Retention And Referrals In Your Insurance Agency
    Written by: Stephanie Cunningham | Distributed: 2007-10-23 | Word Count: 707 | Page Views: 2617 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 3.29
    If you have ever stayed at a nice hotel, then you have probably seen the hotel's Concierge. The role of the Concierge is to assist guests with information and service to enhance their stay. What would happen if you took the idea of the Concierge and applied it to the way you service your agency clients?

    Business School for Non-Business Minds: Got a NAICS Number?
    Written by: Melissa Mashtonio | Distributed: 2008-04-15 | Word Count: 423 | Page Views: 5147 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 3.29
    I’m a journalist. I spent a lot of my career in the news business. As my career has progressed, I’ve spent time at small and large companies, and I have sat through dozens of business meetings wondering what the heck the “money” people are talking about. They used acronyms as if they were a foreign language.

    The Problem With Swiping Sales Copy
    Written by: Scott Bywater | Distributed: 2009-12-03 | Word Count: 480 | Page Views: 5098 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 3.29
    This is what people miss when they try to simply "swipe" sales copy from another advertisement.

    Why 'Closing' Is Not The Most Important Part Of Making A Sale
    Written by: Scott Bywater | Distributed: 2006-08-29 | Word Count: 553 | Page Views: 6321 | Votes: 31 | Rating: 3.26
    If you ever thought that 'closing' was the single most important key to sales success, then pay close attention, because what I'm about to share may surprise you. Let me explain:











    Download an eBook today
     
    Directory Navigation
    Locate By Category:

    ALL Categories
    Arts & Crafts
    Arts & Entertainment
    Automotive
    Business - Offline
    Business - Online
    Career
    Computers
    Education
    Family
    Finance
    Food & Drink
    Health & Wellness
    Home & Garden
    Humor
    Internet
    Nature & Pets
    Real Estate
    Religion
    Self Improvement
    Shopping
    Society
    Sports & Recreation
    Technology
    Travel & Leisure
    Uncategorized
    World Events
    Writing & Speaking

    Change Number of Results:
    50 - 100 - 200 - 500
    Article Reprint Rights
    Creative Commons License

    This work is
    licensed under a
    Creative Commons
    License


    You are not required to show the creative commons license notice when you reprint this work.
    Article Statistics
    Word Count: 864

    Total Views: 6554

    Article Rating: 1.18 of 5
    Votes Cast: 11

    More Articles By Author:



    Last Distribution Date:
    2008-12-04 11:12:00

    Internal ID: #6428





    All Articles are Copyright © 2001-2023 of the Defined Authors.

    All other material and images on this site are:
    Copyright © 2001-2023, ThePhantomWriters.com