No matter what the nature, complexity or duration of the project is, the probability of failure cannot be eliminated. The good news is that the chances of failure can be reduced significantly.
Now you may ask how this is possible. Well, all you need to is to avoid the following pitfalls while making your project schedule:
- Not Stating the Purpose
Whenever a project is undertaken, it is for a reason. It could be to capture a new market, do a marketing campaign or raise funds. You cannot initiate a project with an absurd goal or decide the purpose as it progresses. Defining a specific purpose gives direction and timeline to the project. A purpose is your guiding light when the things begin to go off track during the project.
- Not Doing Adequate Information Gathering
Before you begin any project, you need to gather information, understand the client expectations and get insight into the feasibility of your project. So, get a list of requirements from your client. Or else, you could end up accommodating unplanned and surprise requests during the execution of the project, which could delay the completion and also increase the cost.
- Not Hiring Right Team
People are at the heart of every task. If they are committed and motivated, the project can be accomplished successfully. Even the slightest slack at their end can prove to be a costly mistake for the project. So, choose people who are experienced and have adequate qualifications to execute the project. They should have attended at least some kind of project management certification courses.
- Not Communicating
The legendary American businessman and automobile executive Lee Iacocca said, “You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can’t get them across, your ideas won’t get you anywhere.” There can’t be more truth in his statement. If you fail to communicate the purpose, expectations and timeline of the project to the team, there can be inevitable delays and unwanted loopholes.
- Not Being Flexible
While planning up to the last detail is the pre-requisite of any project, there is still one per cent chance that there could be a setback. Either the client has changed the requirements, labour has gone on strike, or there is an economic factor that halts the progress of the project. So, when you prepare the project schedule, keep a window open for emergencies or unpleasant shockers.
- Not Gathering Resources
How are you going to execute the project if you don’t have manpower, funds, materials or equipment? Resource planning is a crucial aspect of the project schedule. So, make the right estimate for every resource that will go into the project.
If you are a project manager, it would be a good idea to do an advanced project management course to get to the bottom of every aspect of the project schedule.