9 Essential Factors for Harmonious Collaboration and Success

This piece delves into nine factors that can contribute to a discordant relationship with your IT contractor, potentially causing your IT project to falter. In the beginning, businesses and IT experts work together to boost efficiency, performance, and minimize expenses. However, issues arise when miscommunications or disagreements develop, leading to a divide between the two sides.

Here, we've gathered a list of nine typical hurdles faced during IT projects, accompanied by solutions inspired by the experiences of real-life project managers.

Dubious Cost Estimates

Unusually low or high prices warrant caution. An undervalued cost might signify that the contractor failed to account for certain aspects when calculating the project's worth.

Solution: Make sure the pricing is rational and comprehensible. Although price plays a significant role in selecting an IT provider, it shouldn't be the only criterion. Pick a few providers based on their track record and portfolio, then use the price to make the final decision.

Fixating on Trivialities

Both parties may become excessively preoccupied with small details, hindering progress and exhausting the budget and time.

Solution: Concentrate on the project's most critical elements before tending to the finer points. Approach the project like an artist creating a masterpiece – begin with bold strokes and add intricate details later.

Insufficient Interaction

Inadequate communication between IT and business representatives can result in discontent and confusion.

Solution: Participate in the project without assuming an IT team member's responsibilities. Customer-provider communication is one of the three crucial success factors, as stated in The Standish Group's CHAOS Manifesto report.

Indistinct Guidelines

Unclear or excessively detailed specifications can squander the customer's time and assets.

Solution: Find the right balance. Specifications should be all-encompassing enough for the IT company to complete the gaps and initiate the project. Customer engagement and seeking an analyst's advice can help create fitting specifications.

Constant Alterations

Continually changing specifications can dishearten the project team and yield an unsatisfactory end product.

Solution: Opt for an IT company that utilizes an adaptable methodology, permitting modifications at any project phase.

Extended Wait Times

Long intervals between the project's inception and product delivery can breed uncertainty and disappointment.

Solution: Choose regular and prompt deliveries, allowing you to examine and approve the project's advancement.

Unrealistic Timeframes

Unattainable deadlines imposed by the customer due to "political decisions" can result in project collapse.

Solution: Set and adhere to a specific time and budget, prioritizing the development of vital functionalities.

Inflexible Costing

A fixed price for the entire project can lead to inaccurate assessments and increased expenses.

Solution: Contemplate modular pricing, evaluating each system module independently, or adopt a flexible methodology, dividing costs by iterations.

Vague Objectives

A murky understanding of the project's aims and objectives can impede the development team's efficacy.

Solution: Engage with the project, particularly during the initial stages, and elucidate the system's significance for the company or community.

To cultivate a successful IT project, regard your outsourcing provider or IT department as a partner committed to a positive result. Maintain engagement in the project, pose inquiries, and remain receptive to expert guidance. With proper collaboration, both parties can attain their mutual goals.