Author: Rob Broadhead

  • Increase Project Success With This Checklist

    Increase Project Success With This Checklist

    In a previous post we looked at some of the reasons why projects fail.  Now it is time to start looking at ways to avoid those common reasons for failure.  Every project starts with a plan.  When the plan is detailed and well thought out it is more likely to lead to a successful project.  Let’s look at some key points a plan should address and a checklist to help ensure your plan addresses them.

     

    Set Expectations

    The most important goal for any project plan is to set expectations.  These need to be set for the project owner, the end users, and the implementation team.  Expectations form the basis for whether a project is a success or failure.  Therefore, providing details and communicating those expectations will ensure that everyone is on the same page.  This step alone will reduce the chance of projects running late, going over budget, and providing a useful solution.

    A sports team knows the rules of the game and thus can work together to win a match.  A project team that is agred on the expectations works the same way.  They can focus on the end goal rather than get bogged down by clarifying the rules of the game.

    (more…)

  • Why Projects Fail – Lack of Common Sense

    Why Projects Fail – Lack of Common Sense

    The failure rate of IT projects is a concern for any new project.  Unfortunately, this is a valid concern when you consider the failure rate is around 25% across all projects.  Small projects are more likely to succeed.  However, one in five is still likely to end in failure.

    The cost of failure can be substantial.  Although the dollar amount for small projects may be less, the impact to the business can still be crippling.  It is not uncommon for core business functions to rely on the success of these projects.

    Systems have gotten much more complicated and will continue to do so.  We have more users, more devices, more data, and more systems to integrate each year.  That adds up to more potential points of failure.  Thus, it is not likely that the failure numbers will get better.  On the other hand, a look into the reasons why projects fail reveals easy fixes.  When you distil the most common problems to their essence, the failure details are mistakes that would doom any endeavor.

    (more…)

  • Chip and Pin – Why Bother?

    Chip and Pin – Why Bother?

    If you work in retail or use a credit card, you have come across the latest technology: chip and pin.  In the U.S. this is a newer and less prevalent technology than it is in the rest of the world.  However, that does not diminish its importance.

    The more technical name for this technology is EMV (a shortened version of the card schemas: Europay, MasterCard, and Visa) but you can find usually find both phrases used in discussions about it.  You may wonder what good it is and why it matters.  If you are a company that accepts credit cards, this is a technology crucial to your future.  The sooner you embrace it, the better.

     

    Chip and Pin is More Secure

    Chip and pin cards are more secure than traditional card swipe solutions.  This is due to more built-in validation and verification.  Without getting too technical, the big difference is that traditional cards use only a card number and expiration date in a transaction.  The chip contains much more information that can be used to make it that much harder for hackers to fake a transaction.

    (more…)