David Ackah
Texila’s School of Business Management (SOBM) | Texila American University
Email: drackah@ipmp.edu.gh | drdavidackah@gmail.com
Abstract
The distinction between project management failure and project failure sounds like one of the best definitions of project failure/success concepts, the overemphasis of the goal of the project to the client’s long-term strategic plan is subject to further debate. It can be argued that not all projects’ goals are directly linked to the long-term strategic plans of the companies. Some projects are carried out by companies as a ‘force’ on them from external forces which might not necessarily be part of the company’s long-term strategic plan. For instance, if a company is forced by government regulators or environmental activists to assist its immediate environment, it has to embark on a project that might not necessarily bring any long-term benefits. In this case, the company could have embarked on a different project which could have served it better than such ‘forced’ project. One may argue that it will still serve the long-term goal of survival as the company has to meet its social responsibility in order to survive. However, this argument could be defeated by asserting that the company will not actually benefit in real terms, as the benefits will only be directed towards other stakeholders at the expense of the parent company. Such projects could even be detrimental to a company’s progress and profits.
Keywords: Project Failure, Project Management Failure, & Abandonment
