Two keys to delivering large projects
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Delivering a massive project is not for the feint of heart. But we can increase our odds by learning from our past successes and failures.
My division is finishing a R15 million project this month that we’ve delivered on time, on spec and under budget.
We can learn from success and failure so I’m writing down two big lessons learnt before I forget them!
1. Thou shalt not underestimate
"The first step of any project is to grossly underestimate its complexity and difficulty." - Nicoll Hunt
Half of IT projects NEVER finish and the rest take TWICE as long as expected. Are you four times better than most leaders? No? Then you’re not immune to the typical challenges we have to overcome to deliver something significant.
Say it with me: “I’m a leader, not a magician.”
2. Thou shalt not mess with momentum
Momentum is a spongy concept. For me it means things are MOVING, and moving in the RIGHT DIRECTION.
It’s when you look at the project and think “Holy Batman, if we just keep going like this, we’re going to deliver this project!”
The emphasis here is on JUST KEEP GOING. The team has found a rhythm. The people are now your main focus. This is the time to encourage, appreciate and celebrate the wins.
You’ve found a good recipe but even small changes to roles and processes can reduce momentum. So don’t fix what isn’t broken! The iron is hot. Now is the time to forget everything else and strike, strike, strike.