Failure and Blame: Learn to Avoid Project Failure

Project Failure is one of the favorite topics for project managers. From pub conversations to the outrageously-priced Standish Report, we love to discuss and read about failed projects.

We think that, by learning about them, we can avoid repeating the errors of the past. But perhaps Hegel was right:

'History teaches us that mankind learns nothing from history.'

I am never one to be fatalistic
Accepting we can do nothing is not in my nature. And I don't believe it is in the nature of any true Project Manager. We take on big, complex, risky endeavors. And we do so with the confidence we can deliver.

So, I choose to learn about the causes of failure.

Failure is not the same as blame
Regular readers of my articles will recognize one of my favorite quotes. It comes from the movie, Papillon. The character, Leon Dega (played by Dustin Hoffman) says:
'Blame is for God and small children'

Resorting to blame when your project goes badly is immature. Childish.
• It's not my fault
• It's the team
• I didn't have enough time
• or budget
• My stakeholders got in the way
• My sponsor was out of control
• I didn't have the training
• It was just bad luck

Those are all excuses. Each one can be addressed by one thing: good project management.

And I don't mean the 'I have the certificate to prove it' type of good project management. I mean practicing the craft of project management well. That, by the way, is why my project management courses are designed as they are: to focus on day-to-day delivery skills.

So, stop blaming and start learning
I have made a detailed study of the causes of Project Failure. And I have published my work for you in a short video course (16 videos / 100 minutes), called How to Avoid Project Failure. Take a look at the details and apply Coupon Code HAPF20YOUTUBE at checkout to get 20% off.

Or, use coupon SUCCESS20YOUTUBE for 20% off our Project Success Bundle that combines How to Avoid Project Failure with our Project Definition Kit.

In How to Avoid Project Failure, I identify:
1. 10 Points of Project Failure which will alert you to where you need to focus your attention. So you can be seen as a strategically-minded Project Manager.
2. 61 Primary Reasons for Project Failure that will alert you to specific actions you can set up and take. So you can take preventative actions to stay in control of your project.
3. Over 100 Sources of Project Risk that will help you jump-start your risk identification process and reduce workload. So you can start your project efficiently and effectively with a solid risk register.

Recommended Videos
Carefully curated video recommendations for you:

A while back, I asked Project Managers in a couple of forums what material things you need to have, to do your job as a Project Manager. They responded magnificently. I compiled their answers into a Kit list.
Note that the links are affiliated.

#Project #ProjectManagement #AvoidProjectFailure

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Failure is inevitable if you are working on new and interesting projects. Blame is a choice. Learn the reasons for failure and decide to put blame to one side.