10 Project Management Challenges and How to Conquer Them

Last Updated October 5, 2021

Project managers have a duty to balance the elements of a complex project – time, money, scope and people – which exposes them to an array of unexpected obstacles to overcome. To help put things in perspective, here is an overview of ten project management challenges and solutions for conquering them.

1. Undefined Goals

One of the most common challenges in project management is identifying project goals. When goals are not clearly identified, the whole project and team can suffer. When upper management cannot agree to or support undefined goals, the project in question typically has little chance of succeeding. The project manager must ask the right questions to establish and communicate clear goals from the outset.

2. Scope Creep

Scope creep occurs when project management allows the project’s scope to extend beyond its original objectives. Clients and supervisors may ask for changes to a project, and it takes a strong project manager to evaluate each request and decide how and if to implement it, while communicating the effects on budget and deadlines to all stakeholders.

3. Inadequate Skills for the Project

A project sometimes requires skills that the project’s contributors do not possess. Project management training can help a project leader determine the needed competencies, assess the available workers and recommend training, outsourcing or hiring additional staff.

4. Lack of Accountability

A project manager’s leadership qualities can shine when each member of the team takes responsibility for his or her role in achieving project success. Conversely, a lack of accountability can bring a project to a complete halt. Finger-pointing and avoiding blame are unproductive, but all-too-common project management challenges. Learning to direct teams toward a common goal is an important aspect of project management training.

5. Improper Risk Management

Learning to deal with and plan for risk is another important piece of project management training. Risk management is typically a desirable project manager trait because projects rarely go exactly to plan. To execute their job, project managers must ather input, develop trust and know which parts of a project are most likely to veer off course.

6. Ambiguous Contingency Plans

It’s important for project managers to know what direction to take in pre-defined “what-if” scenarios. If contingencies are not identified, the entire project can become mired in an unexpected set of problems. Asking others to identify potential problem areas can lead to a smooth and successful project.

7. Poor Communication

Poor communication can lead to significant project management problems. Project managers must provide direction at every step of the project, so each team member knows what’s expected. Effective communication to everyone involved in the project is crucial to its successful completion. Through project management training, team members can improve their communication skills.

8. Impossible Deadlines

A successful project manager knows that repeatedly asking a team for the impossible can quickly result in declining morale and productivity. The odds of successfully completing a project under unreasonable deadlines are generally not feasible expectations.

9. Resource Deprivation

In order for a project to be run efficiently and effectively, management must provide sufficient resources. Project management training shows how to define needs and obtain approval upfront, and helps project managers assign and prioritize resources throughout the duration of a project.

10. Lack of Stakeholder Engagement

A disinterested team member, client, CEO or vendor can destroy a project. A skilled project manager communicates openly and encourages feedback at every step to create greater engagement among participants.

Project Management Training Pays Off

Effective project management skills can be learned and developed with quality project management training. It’s important to honestly evaluate your skills and work to improve those lacking. Continuing education is typically the first step toward overcoming the project management challenges you’ll likely face throughout your career.

Project managers can learn best practices through training programs offered online. Professionals can explore critical project management topics in Villanova’s Certificate in Applied Project Management program. Students can also prepare for industry certification exams which can lead to expanded career opportunities and successful project implementation.