This presentation comes to you from International Project Management Day 2013 - the annual global virtual summit from IIL that brings together business and technology leaders from around the world to discuss the latest trends and methods in business, leadership and communications. To view the accompanying video keynotes and presentations connect to the event here bit.ly/1blJSkE or purchase the DVD collection http://bit.ly/1fZ9Yc0

1. Project Disasters, Lessons Learned, and
Leadership Opportunities
The Experience of Project Failures Drives Positive Leadership Strategies
Dr. Harold Kerzner & Frank P. Saladis, PMP
©2013 International Institute for Learning, Inc., All rights reserved.

2. Some Projects Will Fail

3. Categories of Success and Failure
Complete
Success
Partial
Success
Partial
Failure
Complete
Failure

4. Strategies for Success from the Failures of the Past
Positive Leadership Opportunities from
Lessons Learned

5. Learning From Failure is Important
Project failure can be painful but the lessons learned are invaluable if they
are acted upon!
The goal is really not to “fail fast” nor to justify or minimize the effects of
failure.
The goal is to succeed, and sometimes failure is part of the process.

6. Postulates of Lessons Learned
Failures, for many reasons, are underreported
Every project failure carries with it at least one practical lesson
At the detailed level, each project failure is unique
It is difficult to draw general conclusions from one failure
Studying multiple failures leads to higher level generalizations that can
provide us with real learning opportunities

7. The Cost of Project Failure
NYC 911
Airbus A380
Boston Big Dig
Mars Orbiter and Lander
Columbia Shuttle
Denver Airport Baggage System
Lessons learned: Although we do not plan for failure, we must be sure
that our business can survive the failure of a project.

8. Projects and Leadership Failure
US GOV Defense Project: One Billion Dollars Spent – No results
The reasons:
Lack of a master schedule
Acquisition strategy changes
Infrastructure changes mid-project that caused delays
Bickering and conflicts between contractors
Lack of one accountable leader who would be given and exercise the authority
to enforce any organizational changes necessary for project implementation
and success.

9. What We Expect From Leaders
Vision – sets goals high, but not unreachable
Entrepreneur, takes risks
An eagle eye in issues of finances and people
Communicates relentlessly – keeping the team / employees informed,
Maintains the big picture view,
Stays connected with key stakeholders
Thinks strategically – 6 moves ahead
Use of experience (lessons learned)

10. Feedback
Feedback is essential for consistent and effective leadership
Having many decision-making experiences is not enough
Candid feedback on the impact of decisions at any leadership level should
be expected and encouraged
Stakeholder interests are addressed more effectively by receiving feedback
from multiple sources

11. Self Reflect
Review your past (successes and challenges)
True leaders contemplate on their experiences
They put a lot of thinking into what others say about them
Constantly looking for ways to improve
Organizations create a learning culture by challenging leaders to self
reflect about how to do better next time

12. What We All Should Learn
Understand your stakeholders
Ensure Constant communications
Share what you know
Define success and business value from the client’s and the performing
organization viewpoint
Some projects should be stopped before they become disasters
Be honest about failure, no cover-ups
Look for root causes and solutions, not blame

13. Positive Leadership
7 Capacities
Authenticity – credibility, confidence
Purpose – have a direction, are driven
Sponsorship – defining what is important
Resilience – Bouncing back after a disappointment
Community Building
Reason – wise decisions, seize opportunity, minimize threats
Gratitude – appreciating the contributions of others

14. International Project Management Day
Thinking Positive
Project managers make a difference
Keep learning and share what you learn
Troubled projects will occur – Be prepared
Carefully consider risks and your decisions
Utilize positive leadership
You are indispensible to business
Thank You!

15. Questions?

16. Intelligence – Integrity – Innovation
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