Politics, Culture and Sabotage: Roadmap to Program Failure

Every project has opponents who try to manipulate that project for their own gain. This is a well-hidden truth. As most people who have been associated with executing strategy are aware, good projects intentionally gone bad is a reality. But no one wants to be associated with a failed or underperforming project, which is why the current state of projects is often portrayed in a better light than what is happening in reality. Shading the truth of a failing project is often done to maintain or gain more power, income, and respect. Yet the industry cannot run from reality. Based on 25 years of tracking data, only one third or fewer of projects are executed successfully. Could at least a percentage of failed and challenged projects be related to intentional sabotage, aided by enablers who shade the truth for their own gain? Little attention has been paid to the art of undermining and manipulating projects, yet millions of dollars are squandered annually due to project sabotage. If more attention is given to the motivation and methods of project saboteurs, the practice could be combatted, leading to significant cost savings and better results. Join William Ulrich as he welcomes guest Dion Kotteman to The North Star. Dion, a former CIO, will provide insights from the perspective of the project saboteur and explain how to deal with the manipulation of the truth and the influence this manipulation can have on projects. If you have a stake in any aspect of project success, you will not want to miss this episode of The North Star.