It is striking that many projects follow a similar pattern: large sums of money are invested, yet the expected output fails to materialize. The result is dissatisfaction—and the project is considered a failure. From our perspective, several recurring reasons contribute to this:
- project management led by the software provider
- nominated (not voluntary) project leadership
- insufficient input from end users
- Lack of support from management
1. Project management led by the software provider
What may seem reasonable at first can quickly become a problem. A project manager appointed by the software provider is rarely objective. The provider operates with a profit motive—and if the client requests something, it is implemented, even when it may not be meaningful. This increases the project scope, which in turn increases commissions. Critical questioning often falls short: Why is a certain function needed? Why must a process run in a specific way? This perspective is frequently missing.
2. Nominated project leadership
When project leadership is assigned rather than chosen, identification with the project is often lacking. Motivation and engagement remain low, and the project becomes a side task. As a result, there is no time to truly understand the bigger picture. Without genuine commitment, failure is almost inevitable.
3. Insufficient input from end users
No project can succeed without input from those who will ultimately work with the solution. End users know best which functions and processes matter. If their contribution is missing—whether due to lack of time or lack of interest—even the best project management cannot compensate.
4. Lack of support from management
Although this point appears last, it is crucial. Without support from leadership, no project can succeed in the long term. Management sets values, priorities, and resources. Without this backing, the foundation for sustainable success is missing.
In the end, it becomes clear: it is often the seemingly small details that cause projects to falter—but these very details determine whether a project succeeds or fails.
