Whether you are just starting out in the field of project management or have a lot of expertise, you’ll agree that being a project manager is not simple. 

You must constantly stay on your feet by understanding project management fundamentals and making sure the project stays within all the agreed-upon project constraints, like: 

• Time 
• Project scope 
• Budget 

Companies continue to lose millions of dollars yearly and struggle to address the challenges and concerns that come with project management despite the availability of multiple resources, project management tools, training materials, and flexible strategies. 

According to a report published in the Harvard Business Review , one out of every 6 projects spend more than 200 percent of the budgeted price, and about 70 percent of IT projects encounter project delays. It is the role of project managers to prevent this, but they encounter numerous problems in doing so. 

We’ve created a list of the top nine difficulties that project managers confront, along with suggestions on how to deal with them when they appear. 

1. Scope Creep

Scope creep an expected and natural part of any project. There are situations when it can be beneficial, but mostly the cons outweigh the pros. In 2017, 52% of project teams reported scope creep, and this tendency is expected to continue. Clients who don’t precisely know what they want and have vague requirements are one of the biggest project management challenges for both managers and the project team. 

How to deal with it:

• Proactively engage with clients during project planning to clarify expectations and requirements.
• Carefully plan resource utilization and avoid major change requests during project execution.
• Stay committed to your original project plan.

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2. Lack of Communication

Effective communication in project management is critical to the success of the project. You must have timely and transparent communication systems in place to guarantee that all stakeholders are participating in the process, and they are aware of the latest project updates. According to Deloitte, 32% of professionals say that communication is the most challenging aspect of project management. 

Miscommunication can easily become a costly threat for project teams: it conflicts with teamwork, creates potential disagreements, and further delays the project, thus requiring additional time and assets. 

How to deal with it:

• Leverage collaborative project management software to keep everyone in the loop.
• Schedule regular short meetings to maintain transparency and prevent miscommunication.

3. Lack of Clear Goals and Success Criteria

Clarity is one of the most important requirements for project completion, and it lack causes various project management challenges. According to one survey, approximately 39% of projects fail because of a lack of a project strategy and a clearly stated project goal. 

A project manager must find a method for quantifying project progress by establishing project milestones and quality assurance. In addition to assisting your team’s success, having a defined set of objectives will assist project managers in defending their vision in front of top management and clients. 

How to deal with it:

• Implement goal-setting techniques like ‘SMART’ to establish clear objectives.
• Ensure that once set, project goals are communicated clearly to the team.

4. Budgeting Issues

Most managers consider financial issues to be one of the biggest obstacles to good project management. According to a 2017 study, 49.5% of manufacturing managers point out cost as the most difficult project management obstacle. A manager can avoid frequent project problems and aim for better and faster results by managing costs effectively. 

How to deal with it:

• Utilize competent project scheduling tools and budgeting techniques.
• Plan project scope with budget constraints in mind, and include provisions for unforeseen events.

5. The Crucial Role of Individual Skills within Teams

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and the performance of project teams is strongly dependent on their individual skill levels. As a project manager, you can provide the ideal environment, but if your team lacks the skills needed to solve the problem, your project will fail. This is a huge project management issue that can only be solved with appropriate experience and planning. 

How to deal with it:

• Assess and align team skills with project needs.
• Encourage collaboration and skill development to enhance overall team performance.

6. Inadequate Risk Management

In project management, having the foresight to identify probable ‘what if’ scenarios and create emergency plans is critical. Because projects rarely evolve exactly as planned due to the wide range of factors involved, these variables might create an unlimited number of possibilities. 

How to deal with it:

• Identify and measure potential project risks regularly.
• Develop backup plans and establish an emergency strategy.

7. Responsibility Failure

A project team works successfully when each member feels responsible and strives to accomplish the task that has been given to them. Team members’ lack of responsibility may destroy a whole project. 

How to deal with it:

• Delegate tasks and foster team accountability using project management tools.
• Conduct regular team check-ins to promote responsibility.

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8. Dealing with Limited Stakeholder Engagement

In project management, it’s crucial that everyone involved understands the project and shares the same vision. If a client or stakeholders aren’t actively engaged, it can lead to issues later. That’s why it’s important to listen to your customers’ feedback and keep them in the loop throughout the project. 

How to Handle It:

• Provide stakeholders access to your project management tool.
• Schedule regular meetings to discuss concerns or changes throughout the project.

9. Managing Unrealistic Deadlines

Facing impossible deadlines is a common project management challenge that can seriously impact the project’s outcome. An effective project manager understands the capabilities of the project team and negotiates project timelines by setting priorities for tasks and deadlines. 

How to Handle It:

• Involve the entire team in determining project velocity during the planning phase.
• Monitor deadlines consistently to adjust timelines if needed, preventing scope creep.

With PPM Core, You Can Overcome Project Management Difficulties 

Are you dealing with project management difficulties? There’s no need to look any further! PPM Core Cloud Software is here to change the way you manage projects and portfolios. Our all-in-one platform simplifies project tracking, improves collaboration, and improves project completion. Discover the power of PPM Core and open a new world of possibilities. 

Optimize Project Management: With its user-friendly interface, PPM Core optimizes project management, freeing you from the stress of constantly checking your team’s progress.  

Comprehensive Project Views: Gain a comprehensive picture of your projects with several visualization options, including “Completed,” “In-Progress,” and “Not Started” stages for project status clarity. 

Decision-Making Based on Data: Access powerful reports that give useful insights for educated decision-making and keep your projects on pace. 

Task Management That Works: Put an end to missing deadlines. As tasks near their due dates, PPM Core provides you with visibility to address every task in a timely manner.  

But wait, there’s more! PPM Core includes even more capabilities and benefits to help you navigate your project management journey. Book a demo today to experience the ease of use and power of PPM Core Cloud Software!