project management dangers of over optimism

#PROJECT MANAGEMENT DANGERS OF OVER OPTIMISM FULL#

It is also an advantage later when project managers find out that a project is more difficult than expected: “they are so determined that they stick with the project, confront the issues, and unexpectedly stumble upon success,” explains Professor Ika. “Had he known all the difficulties they would have encountered, probably the project would have never been undertaken or completed,” says Professor Ika.īe creative and take risks, but learn form your mistakesĪn over-optimistic approach at the planning phase encourages people to take on the challenge and start a project. What followed may sound too familiar to project managers today: cost overruns and major delays turned the Rideau Canal project into a nightmare, but Colonel By succeeded after all. Soon his team discovered an unexpected challenge: they not only had to build locks but also water control dams. In 1826, Lieutenant Colonel John By, a member of the British Royal Engineers, started supervising the construction of a safe supply and communication route from Montreal to Kingston.īelieving he had chosen the fastest and most cost-efficient alternative, Colonel By proposed the construction of a slackwater canal system. The Rideau Canal in Ottawa may be today a UNESCO World Heritage site, but this engineering marvel almost became a project disaster.

#PROJECT MANAGEMENT DANGERS OF OVER OPTIMISM FULL#

The history of mega projects is full of such cases. In contrast, the optimistic ones are more likely to undertake the project, call their underrated creativity to the rescue when needed, and even succeed despite the odds. Some pessimistic decision-makers believe that projects that face too many obstacles shouldn’t have been undertaken from the start. In a recent study published in World Development, a leading journal in the area of international development, Telfer School of Management Professor Lavagnon Ika suggests that underestimating the challenges of a large project can be a “blessing in disguise.”

In reality, a large number of projects do not deliver on time, within budget, and to expectations, leading policy-makers to worry about under-estimation and over-optimism on the part of those who design and implement large projects in the public sector.

Although not completely surprising, this new chapter of the O-Train construction made headlines and initiated vivid discussions on social media. Earlier in 2018, OC Transpo announced that the light rail Confederation line, currently the largest infrastructure project in Ottawa, won’t be completed within the initial time frame.

Project management dangers of over optimism