Project Management

146 Project Management

thoughtful speculation. Figure 8-3 lists over 60 common prob-

lems encountered on projects. Consider using this or a similar

checklist when meeting

with your team.

List as many potential

problems as you can,

using brainstorming tech-

niques. Although you

don’t want to stifle creativ-

ity, try to keep the list to a

reasonable size (perhaps

30-50, depending on proj-

ect size and complexity).

Project Scope
Client adds scope or
features
Work cannot be
accurately defined
Scope is underestimated
Project objectives change
Project Schedule
Project duration
underestimated
End date shifts during
project
End date is unrealistic
Project approvals are late
Management reviews delay
project
Marketing
Unrealistic user
expectations
Market requirements shift
Price point changes
Sales volume goes down
Sales volume goes up
Material
Source(s) and availability
Poor integration w/
existing
Poor supplier reliability
Poor material reliability
Substandard quality
High price

Facilities and Equipment

__ Lack of availability

__ Poor reliability

__ Incompatibility w/ existing

__ Competing uses or users

__ Proprietary limitations

__ Poor flexibility/adaptability

__ Undesirable location

__ Space (lack of, wrong type)

Resources

__ Team members change

__ Funding, shifts or freezes

__ Uncertain costs/expenses

__ Unavailability of

__ Misaligned priorities

Organizational

__ Unclear roles/responsibilities

__ Poor delegation

__ Poor relationships among

units

__ Lack of proper coordination

__ Potential turf wars

__ Policy limitations

__ Poor communications

__ Line vs. staff issues

__ Reorganization issues

Personal

__ Vacations/illnesses

__ Family/other issues

__ Conflicting interests

__ Outside distractions

__ Ethics issues

__ Moral issues

People/Interpersonal

__ Performance/productivity

__ Interpersonal conflict

__ Development and growth

__ Poor motivation and attitudes

__ Poor skills fit

__ Health and safety issues

__ Diversity issues

External Influences

__ Weather, natural disasters

__ Government regulations

__ Health/Safety/OSHA

__ Patent, copyright issues

__ Cultural barriers

__ Political tensions

__ Economic trend shifts

__ Poor company image

__ Unfavorable legal position

Figure 8-3. Common problems encountered on projects

Consider Combinations

When you and your team are

trying to identify potential problems,

try not to think in just one “dimension”—

that is, one potential problem occurring in

isolation. Encour-age everyone to think of

likely (and lethal) combinations of problems.

Two specific problems may not represent

much of a threat when considered inde-

pendently, but together may spell disaster.