Laying the Groundwork: Preparing for IT Projects.

Are we really prepared for the journey ahead?

When companies are in a rush to deploy new technologies, they must first consider what capacities and capabilities they have.

A concerning 70% to 80% of IT projects fail to meet their goals [1]. While it’s commonly believed that technical skills are the main issue, operational and business factors play a bigger role. This statistic highlights the importance of preparation: assessing readiness can help avoid typical pitfalls.

In this article, we’ll explore common IT project traps and what leaders should consider before adopting new technology to avoid falling into them. Our goal isn’t to hold back innovation but to share insights that have helped us make smarter, less risky decisions.

The Anatomy of IT Project Failures

When it comes to IT project failures, they’re not just about unfinished projects. Failure can take many forms—missed deadlines, budget overruns, scope changes, unmet goals, or overall poor performance. In essence, failure is any road that doesn’t lead to project success or gets there by wasting excessive resources unnecessarily.

But why do these failures occur? Let’s dive into the core reasons behind cost overruns, as identified by IT executives:

Undoubtedly, technical skills are only a small part of the equation. Many projects start with technical checks in place yet face challenges due to operational issues that appear on the road ahead. The question remains: can we identify these risks early on and mitigate them from the outset? Absolutely. Let’s explore how.

Preliminary Checklist: Assessing Readiness Before Starting IT Projects

Before diving into new tech projects, we guide our clients through a few essential steps. We’ve found that this approach creates a solid barrier between our projects and failure. At each phase, we ask targeted questions to identify any potential setbacks. This way, we can decide if we’re ready to move forward with the project or if there are issues we need to resolve first.

1. Teaching

   Effective training can make or break the success of new tech within a team. Training should not only instruct employees on how to use the technology but also help them understand its benefits. Resistance to change is natural, so training programs should be tailored to fit into daily routines. This helps the team build the necessary skills and truly understand what the new technology can do for them.

   

2. Capacity

   When introducing new technology, it’s essential to identify who will operate it. For current employees, we must consider what tasks they’ll stop doing and assess the impact of reassigning those duties. If the team is already at full capacity, we must identify the extra hands we’ll need.

   

3. Maintenance

   In the excitement of new tech, long-term costs—like maintenance—can be easily overlooked. Initial performance may be impressive, but maintenance expenses can add up over time. It’s crucial to budget for these costs from the start to avoid surprises down the line.

   

4. Time

   Implementing new technology can feel like a daunting task, especially when time equals money. Setting a clear timeline for deployment is key to managing expectations. Consider the total cost of when an affordable technology takes months to become operational. Remember, reaching full operation doesn’t always mean instant value; some technologies might take time to deliver benefits.

   

5. Service

   New technology should enhance your production line or improve customer satisfaction. It’s important to evaluate its impact on our company and customers. If it’s not delivering genuine benefits, it might be worth reframing the project.

   

Successfully embarking on an IT project requires preparation that goes beyond technical skills. By focusing on training, capacity, maintenance, time, and service impact, we can identify and address potential challenges early on. This holistic approach greatly reduces the risk of project failure.

Avoiding common pitfalls ensures new technology implementations are not only innovative but also sustainable and beneficial in the long term. Remember, the key to success lies in asking the right questions and making informed decisions from the very start.

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1. Dhall, Bhopi, and Saurajit Kanungo. “Success In Digital Transformation: When To Call Time Out.” Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023.
2. Balka, Kerstin, Breanna Heslin, and Sina Risse-Tenk. “Unlocking the Potential of Public-Sector IT Projects.” McKinsey & Company, 5 July 2022.
3. Taylor, Hannah. “IT Project Management Statistics.” Runn.io, 22 November 2023.