Project Obstacles

“What obstacles do project managers face to successful completion of an Information Technology project?”

Senior IT Leader/Director; Fortune 50 international firm

I'm sure it's different from organization to organization, project to project, but here are some of the obstacles I've run personally run into while directing projects ...
- No project charter
- Key resource leaves
- Tasks defined do not have a deliverable associated with them
- Poor initial estimates on tasks
- Vendors do not produce/deliver on time/budget
- Time is not tracked, so earned value cannot be calculated
- Inconsistent time reporting
- Insufficient resources available to complete tasks according to estimates
- Sufficient resources with insufficient skill sets to accomplish defined tasks
- No change control process to manage scope creep
- No/insufficient risk management planning
I'm sure there are plenty of others…”

MüTō Observation:

Some of these items speak to the complexity of process and the PM's inability to hold others accountable to it (both suppliers, and partners), others to the communication skills of the PM (or lack there of), and some to the motivation of team-mates on the project and the PM's inability to create an overwhelming sense of teamwork and common achievement towards success on a project.

I don't think I've ever been on a project that had just the right amount of resources, or time to accomplish the tasks, so I tend to expect that; and make due. And since the business is the business, its their prerogative to change their mind; (not sure if that's scope creep, or business first. ;)

Granted that creates an environment where the PM is greatly challenged by ALL of the things you mentioned, and then some, (as you said.)

Just imagine if the PM had an ability to communicate effectively (to EVERYONE on the project), or motivate his team so they were supercharged and equally eager to see the project to a successful completion. Imagine the PM being able to hold EVERYONE accountable, through a series of non-paper contracts, enabling him/her to be able to ascertain risk early, and overcome issues effectively/efficiently.

What if they could be just 10% better at all of that?