If you want to avoid an unsuccessful project launch you should avoid the most frequent causes of a failure which unfortunately are still often repeated. In particular the incorrect assumption that everyone understands the project goals and knows what they have to do. Also ignoring issues and overlooking problems in the false hope that they will go away themselves.
Does everyone know what they have to do?
If you do not make the objectives and roles clear right from the start then you will have to repeat the process in detail which could have been done easily if you had done it in advance. Clarifying objectives and roles should therefore be part of the project plan and should be done before the actual launch. All the people taking part need to know what they are supposed to be doing in the project and why it has value and meaning. Where does the new project come in their list of priorities? What conflicts could arise and how can they be resolved? What form of communication will be used? This applies both to employees and also to customers and other parties involved.
Do you know how to ask?
Neither the project leader nor the people participating in it have to know the answers to every question but they should know how to ask so that the biggest problems can be avoided. So before you launch the project ask what impact your project might have on other parts of the organisation. Ask whether you have all the necessary resources and how any deficit can be resolved. Ask how the individual tasks are connected and how they can be completed on time.
Do you ignore problems?
Admit to yourself how often you know about a particular problem that has already occurred or will occur soon but you prefer to quietly hope that it will resolve itself. Experience clearly shows that the sooner you begin to deal with problems with your project, the greater the chances are that their impact will be minimal. Make sure your team is brave and beware indifference.
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