How to predict project delays with 80% accuracy

I can usually predict project delays 3 months in advance. With startling accuracy. Here are some dead giveaways: Red flag #1: "We'll figure out the requirements as we go" Guaranteed 4-week delay. Red flag #2: "This is just a rough estimate" Add 50% to whatever timeline they give you. Red flag #3: "The stakeholder is traveling but we can start without them" Prepare for complete rework. Red flag #4: "We've done something similar before" No, you haven't. Add 6 weeks. Red flag #5: "We'll just use the existing system" That system doesn't do what you think it does. It's like a demented game of Chutes and Ladders. Most project managers see delays as surprises. I see them as symptoms. Symptoms of poor planning. Unclear requirements. Unrealistic expectations. The delays aren't the problem. The preparation is the problem. Want to avoid delays? Stop starting projects that aren't ready to start. Most "urgent" projects can wait 2 weeks for proper planning. Most projects that are "ready to go!" aren't ready at all.

I can usually predict project delays 3 months in advance. With startling accuracy. Here are some dead giveaways: Red flag #1: "We'll figure out the requirements as we go" Guaranteed 4-week delay. Red flag #2: "This is just a rough estimate" Add 50% to whatever timeline they give you. Red flag #3: "The stakeholder is traveling but we can start without them" Prepare for complete rework. Red flag #4: "We've done something similar before" No, you haven't. Add 6 weeks. Red flag #5: "We'll just use the existing system" That system doesn't do what you think it does. It's like a demented game of Chutes and Ladders. Most project managers see delays as surprises. I see them as symptoms. Symptoms of poor planning. Unclear requirements. Unrealistic expectations. The delays aren't the problem. The preparation is the problem. Want to avoid delays? Stop starting projects that aren't ready to start. Most "urgent" projects can wait 2 weeks for proper planning. Most projects that are "ready to go!" aren't ready at all.

I can usually predict project delays 3 months in advance. With startling accuracy. Here are some dead giveaways: Red flag #1: "We'll figure out the requirements as we go" Guaranteed 4-week delay. Red flag #2: "This is just a rough estimate" Add 50% to whatever timeline they give you. Red flag #3: "The stakeholder is traveling but we can start without them" Prepare for complete rework. Red flag #4: "We've done something similar before" No, you haven't. Add 6 weeks. Red flag #5: "We'll just use the existing system" That system doesn't do what you think it does. It's like a demented game of Chutes and Ladders. Most project managers see delays as surprises. I see them as symptoms. Symptoms of poor planning. Unclear requirements. Unrealistic expectations. The delays aren't the problem. The preparation is the problem. Want to avoid delays? Stop starting projects that aren't ready to start. Most "urgent" projects can wait 2 weeks for proper planning. Most projects that are "ready to go!" aren't ready at all.

I can usually predict project delays 3 months in advance. With startling accuracy. Here are some dead giveaways: Red flag #1: "We'll figure out the requirements as we go" Guaranteed 4-week delay. Red flag #2: "This is just a rough estimate" Add 50% to whatever timeline they give you. Red flag #3: "The stakeholder is traveling but we can start without them" Prepare for complete rework. Red flag #4: "We've done something similar before" No, you haven't. Add 6 weeks. Red flag #5: "We'll just use the existing system" That system doesn't do what you think it does. It's like a demented game of Chutes and Ladders. Most project managers see delays as surprises. I see them as symptoms. Symptoms of poor planning. Unclear requirements. Unrealistic expectations. The delays aren't the problem. The preparation is the problem. Want to avoid delays? Stop starting projects that aren't ready to start. Most "urgent" projects can wait 2 weeks for proper planning. Most projects that are "ready to go!" aren't ready at all.

I can usually predict project delays 3 months in advance. With startling accuracy. Here are some dead giveaways: Red flag #1: "We'll figure out the requirements as we go" Guaranteed 4-week delay. Red flag #2: "This is just a rough estimate" Add 50% to whatever timeline they give you. Red flag #3: "The stakeholder is traveling but we can start without them" Prepare for complete rework. Red flag #4: "We've done something similar before" No, you haven't. Add 6 weeks. Red flag #5: "We'll just use the existing system" That system doesn't do what you think it does. It's like a demented game of Chutes and Ladders. Most project managers see delays as surprises. I see them as symptoms. Symptoms of poor planning. Unclear requirements. Unrealistic expectations. The delays aren't the problem. The preparation is the problem. Want to avoid delays? Stop starting projects that aren't ready to start. Most "urgent" projects can wait 2 weeks for proper planning. Most projects that are "ready to go!" aren't ready at all.

I can usually predict project delays 3 months in advance. With startling accuracy. Here are some dead giveaways: Red flag #1: "We'll figure out the requirements as we go" Guaranteed 4-week delay. Red flag #2: "This is just a rough estimate" Add 50% to whatever timeline they give you. Red flag #3: "The stakeholder is traveling but we can start without them" Prepare for complete rework. Red flag #4: "We've done something similar before" No, you haven't. Add 6 weeks. Red flag #5: "We'll just use the existing system" That system doesn't do what you think it does. It's like a demented game of Chutes and Ladders. Most project managers see delays as surprises. I see them as symptoms. Symptoms of poor planning. Unclear requirements. Unrealistic expectations. The delays aren't the problem. The preparation is the problem. Want to avoid delays? Stop starting projects that aren't ready to start. Most "urgent" projects can wait 2 weeks for proper planning. Most projects that are "ready to go!" aren't ready at all.