What Is the Key to Delivering More Predictable Projects

Some weeks ago IPA published an article called “What Is the Key to Delivering More Predictable Projects”, and I finally got around to reading it. Many interesting points are raised in this article, but I wanted to pick on one point in particular: IPA says the industry has robust best practices (FEL, team integration, planning), yet their use is declining.

I think one of the key factors contributing to this paradox is that after a decade of companies downsizing and deprioritizing major capital project planning, controls and execution experience, critical knowledge of how to actually deliver complex projects is depleting. Many companies struggle to provide effective oversight, and some rely too heavily on contract terms, instead of active involvement in project management.

Bottom line is that weak controls at the early stages of a project tend to lock in poor outcomes later.