The failure of an IT project can be very frustrating for everyone involved. What’s more, it often wastes a lot of money, time, and other valuable company resources. To minimize the risk of negative outcomes whenever you embark on an IT-related endeavor, make sure to avoid the following mistakes:
- Cutting too many costs
It’s normal to want to save money, but too much cost-cutting is a common reason why IT projects fail. With a small budget on hand, you’re forced to use cheap but subpar technology. You’re also pressed to hire people who do not possess the skill set or level of expertise needed for your venture. These often result in delays, low-quality outcomes, and even more expenses down the line.
- Not planning your IT project properly
No matter how small your project may be, just winging it increases your risk of failing in the end. Keep in mind that for your IT project to be considered successful, it’s not enough that you deliver a product or outcome — you should do so within the targeted budget and time frame.
Proper planning will help you anticipate hurdles and come up with solutions in advance, increasing your odds of success. Don’t begin your project without a clear goal in mind. Identify what steps you need to take toward that goal, what resources you’ll need, and which tasks go to which members of your team. You must also set a realistic deadline for the completion of each step, as well as for the entire project.
- Setting unclear boundaries
The ideal plan is both flexible and complete — it should allow for possible contingencies, but its goals and methods cannot be subject to continuous change throughout the project. Before you begin, lay down the scope of the project and make sure everyone agrees. Constantly taking in new ideas, even for the purpose of improvement, may lead to what is known as scope creep. This will only muddle your focus and make you more likely to fail.
- Using the wrong tools
The tools you choose can easily make or break your IT project. For instance, if you’re building a website, you obviously shouldn’t use Flash Player for your multimedia content, as Adobe ended support for the platform back in 2020.
This applies to people too. If you’re building an app for Android devices, tap employees who are knowledgeable in Java, C++, Kotlin, and other languages commonly used for Android apps. Putting the right people on the job ensures timely and high-quality outputs.
- Having too many people on board
“The boat that has two captains sinks,” says an Egyptian proverb. This is true for your project as well. Having more people than is necessary for the project can also lead to miscommunication and confusion, and will hike up the project’s cost. Too many developers, for example, may lead to issues with integrating different segments of code, unnecessarily lengthening the process and extending turnaround times.
- No participation from management
Just because the project is manned by the best people doesn’t mean management should be passive. Without management’s input, the technical team is left to make and follow their own decisions — and that can be a problem. The technical team should, of course, be left to do what they do best, but the higher-ups should be proactive about asking for progress reports. These reports help them ascertain if the project matches the company’s goals and its customers’ expectations.
- Following a very optimistic deadline
When setting deadlines, anticipate challenges you’re likely to encounter. Consider, too, your team’s capabilities and the resources available to you. An overly optimistic deadline might impress the bosses, but it places added pressure on the technical team. As a result, they may rush certain parts of the project or exhaust themselves into finishing well within schedule. In any case, these often lead to subpar outcomes and dissatisfied employees.
Seeing your IT project through to completion requires focus. At Quicktech, our experts will ensure that your IT system is optimized for security and efficiency, so that you can concentrate on your project’s success. Should you need tech support or recommendations, you can also trust our years of experience in tech.
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