“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill
This quote by Winston Churchill encapsulates the mindset of successful IT project managers, as research has shown that an acceptance of failure and a willingness to learn from it is crucial for success in the field (PMI, 2017). According to a study by the Project Management Institute, organizations that adopt a “failure is not an option” mentality actually have a lower project success rate, while those that embrace a “failure is an option” approach have a higher success rate (PMI, 2017).
Effective risk management is one of the key ways in which successful IT project managers handle failure differently from their less successful counterparts. They anticipate potential issues and have strategies in place to mitigate them, as outlined in the PMBOK Guide (PMI, 2017). Additionally, they closely monitor project progress and make adjustments as needed to ensure success (PMBOK Guide, 2017).
Another key trait of successful IT project managers is their ability to adapt to changing circumstances. They are flexible in the face of unexpected challenges and are willing to make difficult decisions when necessary, as emphasized in Agile methodologies (Highsmith, 2002). Furthermore, they possess a deep understanding of the technology and processes involved in the project and are able to effectively communicate with all stakeholders, as highlighted in studies by the Standish Group (Standish Group, 1994).
In the case of AI and digitalization projects, a strong background in these fields is crucial for success. According to a study by McKinsey (2018), organizations that successfully implement AI and digitalization projects have a strong understanding of the technology and its potential business applications.
Ultimately, successful IT project managers understand that failure is an opportunity to learn and improve. They use the lessons learned from past failures to inform future projects and are always looking for ways to improve their processes, as noted in research by the Harvard Business Review (Klein, 2017).
In conclusion, the courage to continue on in the face of failure is what sets successful IT project managers apart. They anticipate and mitigate risks, adapt to changing circumstances, possess a deep understanding of the technology and processes involved in the project, and use failure as an opportunity to learn and improve, as supported by various research studies in the field.
References:
Highsmith, J. (2002). Agile software development eXtreme programming.
Addison-Wesley Professional. Klein, G. (2017). Why some teams are better at handling failure.
Harvard Business Review. McKinsey (2018). Achieving success with AI and digitalization: The role of IT leaders.
McKinsey & Company PMI (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) Sixth Edition.
Project Management Institute. Standish Group (1994). Chaos report.