COMMON CHALLENGES IN B2B PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Managing a project is similar to solving a Rubik’s cube in that you need to keep a number of aspects of the project in mind at all times, as well as a number of different outcomes and how long the path to completion will take. With projects, some struggles are more common than others, including issues regarding scope, communication, and more.

Here are some of the most common project management challenges and how to overcome them.

SCOPE CREEP CHALLENGES 

Scope creep is a natural and expected phenomenon for any project.  There are times when it can be beneficial but mostly the cons outweigh the pros. 52% of project teams reported facing scope creep in 2017 and the trend is continuing upwards.  Clients who don’t precisely know what they want and have vague requirements are one of the biggest project management challenges for both managers and the project team.

How to deal with it:

During the planning phase of a project, proactive communication with clients can assist you in obtaining their precise requirements and understanding their expectations. Additionally, planning your resource and talent usage accurately is also key.  It’s also important to not take up ad-hoc change requests during project execution as this can result in delays and added costs.  Maintain the original strategy.

BUDGET RESTRICTION AND CHANGES IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT

The budget also increases when the scope of a project begins to expand. Budget management can pose a big challenge for project managers.

For example, let’s say a project manager on the marketing team discovers that to promote a new product, she’ll need to increase her online advertising spend from what she initially planned.  If the campaign is necessary, the manager may request more funds or stretch what she has to work with.

Project managers must plan their budgets accurately and ensure that projects remain within budget.  To stay within the agreed-upon budget, they should implement effective cost management strategies.

 

HOW TO DEAL WITH BUDGET RESTRISTION AND CHANGES 

• Regularly monitor and update the budget, keep a close eye on expenses and compare them to the planned budget to identify potential overruns early and take corrective action.  
• Implement change control processes, establish a formal procedure for reviewing and approving any changes to the project scope or budget.  This helps prevent scope creep and uncontrolled spending.
• Communicate transparently, keep stakeholders informed about budget constraints and any necessary adjustments.  Clear communication helps manage stakeholder expectations and build trust.
• Use contingency funds wisely, if you’ve included a contingency reserve in your budget, use it judiciously to address unexpected costs or changes.

 

LACK OF COMMUNICATION

Effective communication in project management is extremely important for a successful project.  You need to have timely and transparent methods of communication to ensure that all stakeholders are involved in the process.  Deloitte states that 32 percent of professionals believe that communication is the biggest issue of project management.

Miscommunication is also dangerous for project teams because it affects their teamwork.  It can cause conflicts among team members and can potentially delay the project. 

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT 

Project managers often rely on various collaborative and project management software available in the market in order to ensure that everyone stays updated.  Project collaboration tools not only make it easier for managers to carry on their duties but also ensure greater transparency in projects and accountability within the team.  This is made possible by features like @mentions, priority assignment capabilities, and contextual comments. Additionally, regular, short stand-up meetings a few times weekly can go a long way in preventing miscommunication.

LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY

A project team performs really well when every member feels responsible and tries to fulfill the role assigned to them.  Lack of accountability on the part of team members can sink an entire project.

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT 

Effective project managers assign responsibilities to team members and direct the team toward the common goal of successfully completing their project.  Having a project tool that allows responsibilities to be assigned and tracked is key to fostering accountability.  Additionally, having regular check-ins within the team also fosters accountability.

UNREALISTIC DEADLINES 

Having an unrealistic deadline is another project management challenge that can severely affect the quality of the end product.  Any effective project manager knows the capability of the project team and negotiates the project timeline by prioritizing deadlines and project tasks.

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT 

The measure of work completed in a single sprint, velocity, is decided collectively in agile project management with input from all stakeholders. This is carried out during the project’s planning stage. Further, frequent monitoring of deadlines by the project manager is a must.

This ensures that any increase in scope (scope creep) during the execution of the project is either avoided or timelines modified as required.

In addition, it is very important to use tools that help you to maintain focus and track of your project team.