The reasons for project failure are legion, but it is possible to preemptively resolve them. It is difficult to get an accurate figure of how many projects fail; at the most alarmist, it is as high as 70%, but the Project Management Institute (PMI) currently gives a figure of around 14%. Why do projects fail, and why are these figures so high?

This webinar will seek to answer these questions by offering a general overview of project failure, and then focusing on specific causes of project failure, including a lack of strategic alignment, scope creep, poor risk management, the lack of overall situational awareness, and what is potentially the most dangerous, failures in communication.

We will cover both inadvertent and willful miscommunication, and the various types and effects of each. It will become evident that effective communication, or lack thereof, can be a “make or break” variable when it comes to preventing project failure. Strategies to ensure project success, such as the PMBOK Process, will also be explained. Real-life examples, such as the Tay Rail Bridge Collapse of 1879, will be addressed in order to place relevant concepts into context, and emphasize the importance of guarding against project failure, as well as the disastrous effects that seemingly minor missteps can have upon the engineer’s career, as well the public that they are obligated to protect.

Failure is a risk that can potentially devastate the engineer’s work, no matter the ingenuity or talent of the engineers involved. Therefore, developing a plan to maximize the chances of success is imperative.

• • 1. You don’t have to leave your office. The entire training session is conducted from the convenience of your desk or meeting room.
    2. No fancy technology required. A computer or smart phone with a good Internet connection is all the equipment you need. Just log in and start learning.
    3. No wasted time. Our compact, one–hour sessions fit into the busiest of schedules. In no time, you’re back on the job using the wealth of relevant information you gained.
    4. Earn PDH credit. Webinars earn PDH credit for engineers in all states, unless noted otherwise in the literature for a specific webinar.  For more details, check your state requirements.
    5. You have nothing to lose. Noon Pi webinars are offered to engineers free of charge!