When creating a project plan you set a timeline with an agreed start and finish date, define interim targets and often establish a project team.
Although these can be important steps in succeeding with your change effort the fact you have described a ‘project’ is the issue. Projects by definition are temporary and will end. Stakeholders decide whether to buy in based on the specified time and effort requested by the project team. The reason this change effort fails is because ownership of the change sits with the project team and so often ends as the project ends.
You know you have this problem when you hear.. “just remind me what you wanted me to do for you”
TOP TIP: Avoid using the word project. Instead design a programme of change with the people that will be involved when it is ‘normal business’
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