Symptoms: Executive management feels that the execution of critical IT projects is problematic. Frequently, this is caused by serial project failures, characterized as the inability to bring projects in on time, with the promised functions delivered, and within budget. The old IT Director’s adage, “You can have (the system) quick, cheap, or right, pick any two.” often holds the seeds of management’s frustration when one parameter deviates wildly from expectations.

Fixes: Because the causes of frustration can be many, there are no “quick fixes”. Often, the most important first step is to intervene with Senior Management to discover root causes of the difficulties. In many instances, the biggest cause is communications failure. Few IT managers are also good at communicating with anyone not in the technology fraternity. Communications to peers and upward to Senior Management are critical to establishing performance expectations for IT, and to developing understanding. Individuals who feel that they are “uninformed”, either purposely or inadvertently, are right to feel frustrated with progress.

Most Commonly Experienced by: CEO, Executive Staff

Relevant Services: Management: Interim CIO / vCIO & Project Management