An article at projecttimes.com offered some advice on how to prevent your project from ending badly.
Be aware of potential pitfalls
Common causes of projects not working include lack of communication, insufficient planning or poor risk management. Try to identify potential weak areas in advance and strive to avoid them.
Play to your strengths
Know what your team’s strong points are and use them to maximum effect. Discipline is also important: you yourself should set a good example.
Proper planning
Make sure the whole project is well thought through in advance. Don’t be dissuaded by comments about time being wasted. On the contrary: a carefully constructed plan is the very basis of a sound project.
Be reasonable
Don’t try to impress stakeholders by cutting corners. You need to set sensible targets and deadlines that can realistically be met.
Record keeping
You can’t rely solely on your memory or word of mouth. Write down everything relevant to the project so you have an accurate, up-to-date record of what is happening.
Communication
Be in regular contact with everyone involved in the project and tell they can contact you themselves whenever they consider it necessary. Small problems that are ignored can easily snowball into big ones.
Be prepared for anything
Even with the best possible planning, an unexpected hitch can occur at any stage. But a sound initial plan, supported by a well prepared team, means you will be capable of overcoming such difficulties.
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