Monitoring and Control (LOs: 5c)

The Importance of Soft Skills in Keeping Projects on Track

Discenza and Forman's research identified seven common issues that may cause project failure:

1. Lack of focus on business value
2. Lack of accountability for clear, measurable results
3. The wrong methodology was used
4. The customer only engaged upfront
5. Project leadership failed to engage and motivate the project team
6. Team members lacked access to the tools, techniques and subject matter experts required
7. Inconsistent project check-ins that lack qualitative and quantitative measures

The interpersonal skills of the project leader are critical to project success. Effective and timely communication is the underlying theme.