Common digital project risks
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The document lists several common risks for creative digital projects, along with suggested mitigations for each risk. Some of the key risks mentioned include ineffective change management if the organization resists changes, too many stakeholders muddying the artistic direction, differing departmental requirements delaying launch or increasing costs, and project resources being reallocated to higher priority projects. Suggested mitigations for many of the risks focus on early planning, communication, understanding workflows and needs, and testing with customers.
Common digital project risks
- 1. @dickyadams A few common risks and mitigations for creative digital projects* Not an exhaustive list, but a simple guide
- 2. @dickyadams Ineffective or low impact change management Organisation resistant to change including key delivery departments – significant new processes and structures in place that may cause short term resistance Mitigation: Educate, Inform and communicate; above all else, listen
- 3. @dickyadams Too many committee decisions Artistic direction becomes muddied due to too many stakeholders Mitigation: In the end something that is creative needs creative direction. Identify who does that straight from the go and define their influence and make it clear to everyone, that they are the final arbiter.
- 4. @dickyadams Differing departmental requirements Will delay launch and cause unsatisfied internal customers; following changes will cost more money. Mitigation: try to understand what they actually need not what they say they need.
- 5. @dickyadams Project resources may be reallocated for other (higher) priority projects Resources are currently committed to this project. Losing a resource would severely delay project. Mitigation: Plan ahead and understand the rhythm of the business, where key events happen
- 6. @dickyadams Departmental Capacity Too much to do, day-to-day tasks getting the way; not enough people or time and this project getting the way of BAU Mitigation: Understand workflows and demands, identify potential bottlenecks
- 7. @dickyadams Inputs from departments will not be available when required Internal processes and workflows aren’t up to producing content on time. Mitigation: Identify potential bottlenecks in workflows, communicate what you want and by when
- 8. @dickyadams Recruitment and Resources Can you find the right people in time to do the job? Do you have budget to go further to find them? Mitigation: Identify early and start recruiting early, use your networks
- 9. @dickyadams Data Issues Data migration may result in loss of customer data. Customer data is key for day to day business operations. Mitigation: Whatever you make, data has to be at the heart from step 1.
- 10. @dickyadams Internal Customers find new workflows and processes problematic Badly affects workflows Mitigation: Early training; tell the story of why you have to change and how that will feel
- 11. @dickyadams Audiences may be resistant to new product Customer feedback to be instrumental in design, but not all customers will like the changes. May result in bad publicity or customer satisfaction issues. Mitigation: Test at every stage, even if its small groups of customers
- 12. @dickyadams Impact on Sales Your new product causes drop in sales Mitigation: Be prepared to monitor from day one and then iterate quickly. Launch is not a stop it’s a start
- 13. @dickyadams Sign off delays Missed deadlines Mitigation: Define sign off dates clearly in plan up front and communicate it. If they still don’t do it, nag, sit outside doors and demand sign off and name and shame.