What Makes a Project Successful?

March 9, 2023
Posted in Questions
09 Mar 2023
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March 9, 2023 Terkel

What Makes a Project Successful?

From asking for the input of others to executing a well-thought plan, here are nine answers to the question, “What do you believe makes a project successful?”

  • Having Extra Eyes on a Project
  • Staying Flexible
  • Changing Management
  • Making Clear Objectives
  • Communicating Effectively
  • Gaining Positive Feedback From the Public
  • Creating Fresh Ideas and Opportunities
  • Using Smart Goals to Drive Project Success
  • Mastering the Art of Planning

Having Extra Eyes on a Project

Getting multiple pairs of eyes on a project can help with its success. Sometimes a project needs more perspectives, insights, and opinions to tailor it to perfection, and asking for other people’s thoughts can help you reach that point.

While it can seem unnecessary to ask for other people’s opinions on a project that doesn’t involve them, sometimes that unbiased opinion is exactly what you need to make the project complete.

John BerryJohn Berry
CEO and Managing Partner, Berry Law

Staying Flexible

Define ‌the project clearly and allow room for an increase in cost; this will help you stay within the budget. Clients love it most when you have ticked every box in the client’s scope of work and you are under budget.

The success of every project relies on how well and carefully the team uses the budget while meeting quality standards. Carefully defining ‌ the project will ensure that. Any new requirement or change request exceeding the initial scope of the project should have an additional budget approved by the client.

We had a small project to customize a CRM for a vendor. We laid out ‌the project on the very first day and sent it to the client for approval. It turned out that there was a miscommunication, and the client wanted much more than that. Luckily, it was just the start, and we quickly negotiated with the client and got back on track in no time.

Antreas KoutisAntreas Koutis
Administrative Manager, Financer

Changing Management

No matter how promising a project may look on paper, it is meaningless if the people executing it cannot see its potential. Change management is an important part of any successful project, as it ensures that everyone agrees and moves in the same direction. Change management also helps to mitigate any resistance to new ideas or processes that may arise during the project.

To ensure successful project management, it is important to receive support from all parties involved. You can do this through training, communication, and facilitation. Change management also means being prepared to deal with setbacks and failures, as these are inevitable parts of any project.

Change management provides a framework for dealing with these challenges and helps ensure projects remain on track and continue to achieve their goals.

Matthew RamirezMatthew Ramirez
CEO, Paraphrase Tool

Making Clear Objectives

Projects are successful when they have clear and achievable objectives, proper planning and preparation, effective communication, and the right resources to get the job done. A great example of a successful project is the construction of the Shanghai Tower in China. They completed the project in 2015 after nearly six years of planning, design, and construction.

It stands as the world’s second-tallest skyscraper and features a distinctive glass façade with a double-skin exterior.

It is also the world’s most energy-efficient super-tall tower, with a cost of about $2.4 billion USD.

Aviad FaruzAviad Faruz
CEO, FARUZO

Communicating Effectively

One thing that can make a project successful is clear and effective communication among all stakeholders. This includes clear goals, roles, and responsibilities, as well as regular updates and progress reports.

An example of a successful project that exemplifies clear and effective communication is the Apollo 11 project. The Apollo 11 project was a U.S. spaceflight project that successfully landed the first two humans on the Moon on July 20, 1969.

NASA led the project and had a team of thousands of engineers, scientists, and technicians. The team had a straightforward goal to land humans on the moon and return them safely to Earth. The project was successful because of the clear communication among the team, the clear goals and objectives, the use of new technology, and the ability to work together to solve problems and overcome obstacles.

Will GillWill Gill
Event Entertainer, DJ Will Gill

Gaining Positive Feedback From the Public

The Antalya International Airport project in Turkey is a prime example of a successful project that garnered widespread positive feedback. Construction began in 2006 and they completed it the following year, with a capacity to serve 35 million passengers annually.

The project brought significant economic growth and job creation to the region and has since become one of the world’s busiest airports. Its modern design, convenience, and efficiency have made it a favorite among travelers, airport staff, and residents alike. Its connection to cities in Turkey and abroad also makes it a prime hub for both business and leisure travelers.

Dilruba ErkanDilruba Erkan
Consultant, Character Calculator

Creating Fresh Ideas and Opportunities

One of the major benefits of a successful project is collaborating with people to generate new ideas and opportunities. Fresh ideas can open up possibilities that had been unexplored or overlooked, allowing the team to innovate in ways they had not considered before.

I recently worked on a project with four partners, which created distinct processes and products to optimize efficiency and output. We developed some innovative ideas based on team input and problem-solving that we could implement into the business model, providing new solutions, resources, and further opportunities.

Looking back at this experience, I am proud of our accomplishments in collaborating while still getting tangible results.

Yemisi IyiladeYemisi Iyilade
Project Management Professional, Yemisi Iyilade

Using Smart Goals to Drive Project Success

One thing that makes a project successful is clear and measurable goals. A successful project should have well-defined objectives that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). This means that the project’s objectives should be clear, quantifiable, and achievable within a specific timeframe. Having clear and measurable goals helps to keep the project on track, ensures that everyone involved is working toward the same objectives, and makes it easier to measure progress and success.

An example of a successful project in my work was the implementation of a new customer relationship management system (CRM). The project was successful because it had clearly defined objectives that were actively managed throughout the project lifecycle to deliver the expected outcomes within the set timeframe and budget.

Will BakerWill Baker
Founder, Skirtings R Us

Mastering the Art of Planning

Proper planning is essential to achieving success in any endeavor, and this is especially true for artistic projects. My husband, Mike Fantuz, and I are both artists, and we understand the importance of taking a strategic approach to our exhibitions.

In our most recent two-person exhibition at the Ian Tan Gallery in Vancouver, we carefully considered the space, time constraints, and the overall theme of the exhibition. We wanted to create a cohesive body of work that was both impactful and well-executed.

To achieve this, we worked backward from our exhibition date, carefully scheduling each step of the process to ensure that we completed everything on time and to the highest standard. This approach has proven to be highly effective, and we will continue to use it as we prepare for our upcoming exhibitions this year.

Emilie FantuzEmilie Fantuz
Artist, Emilie Fantuz

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