Here’s How Businesses Can Avoid Project Delays

Available data shows that almost every business entity has encountered project delays at some point since operations commenced. According to statistics, erroneous time estimates account for 25% of project delays in most businesses. However, this happens more when aspects of the project fail to be automated. With a bit more caution, experts say, these holdups can become a thing of the past. So, if you are a company looking for ways to avoid delays in your projects, these pointers may help lead the way.

• Set realistic goals for your projects

Unrealistic project goals can play a significant part in why your project delays. For many businesses, the focus is to beat the competition and maximize profit. While on this tangent, it becomes tempting for these establishments to set ambitious goals to please clients. Unfortunately, the common result of such plans is a delay. For example, a startup that aims to make high profits in its first three years may experience many setbacks. 

The reason is that 90% of business startups make desirable profits by the fifth year of operation. The closest a startup can get is to break even in its second and third years. Unrealistic goals can look good on paper but, in reality, may not be ideal for your business’s operations. Therefore, a safer option would be to do the exact opposite – set realistic goals. It helps to be guided by the knowledge that things won’t always go according to plan. 

• Schedule carefully

Went time estimates are known to be responsible for 25% of delays. Therefore, it is advisable to employ careful scheduling and realistic timelines to prevent them. This involves more than putting dates in your usual timetable or roster. Instead, it involves creating a comprehensive document that indicates each project stage and when it must be completed. The success of the next stage of one project will depend on how thorough the previous task was carried out. Additionally, each process relies heavily on the timely completion of the other to ensure that the project is completed on time. 

For example, if an individual fails to complete their schedule within the timelines, it can have a ripple effect on the entire project. Fortunately, many tools are available for successful project management, and it is advisable to include some extra time within the schedule for possible setbacks. With the help of project scheduling tools, this challenge can be surmounted. According to business expert Hussain al Nowais, project delays incur additional costs, which entrepreneurs want to avoid.

• Assess project risks

A business establishment that embarks on a project without assessing risks is more likely to fail. According to indeed.com, risk mitigation strategies are non-negotiable when starting projects. It can be likened to a soldier going to war without armor and weapons. Risk assessment allows you to forecast and preempt possible interruptions that can throw the project into disarray. Your business project will be better positioned to withstand problems that may arise and more likely to yield desired results.