Are weak project start-ups causing considerable inefficiencies?
- Jori Kosonen
- Sep 17
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 19
Effective project start is a critical success factor
According to international studies, initiating a project is one of the key pitfalls in business development. It's well known that it's worthwhile to invest in this phase — mistakes made early on tend to come back to haunt you later. Teams are often forced to jump onto a moving train with insufficient time, money or expertise for proper planning, organization and establishing practices. Standardizing practices can be particularly challenging when working with partners or clients. Also, communication and collaboration across different corporate cultures may not go according to plan.
For example, let's take a project that involves expert work. The estimated workload for the project is 3.6 person-years or 5,000 hours and the economic value is €400,000. We arrive at an estimate of unproductive work of 17% in hours of 850 hours / 0.61 person-years and the economic value is €68,000 wasted (at an hourly rate of €80). It would be in no one's interest to waste € 68,000 of expertise effort on work that does not generate added value! Scaling this scenario to 1000 hours, it already justifies the fact that starting projects is a critical success factor by this metric. The waste is directly reflected in the project's outcome.
We have both the experience and the powerful toolkit to help you succeed.
Organizing and professionally facilitating the project launch is the first, crucial step to the right direction. One of the keys to success is implementing a "kick-off process".
Proven tools for progress include:
retrospective-type learning and facilitation
creating methods and means to measure project performance
leadership sparring
improving team cohesion by effective influencing
self-direction of project teams
increased psychological and emotional security
creating a culture of continuous improvement
We act as change leaders and create a recipe for success for your project!
Jori Kosonen
CEO, Talent Network
Certified Executive Consultant and Coach
IPMA Project Excellence Award Assessor and Judge
Contact us, avoid pitfalls and waste. We will help your projects succeed!
jori.kosonen@talentnetwork.fi, tel. +358 50 5184790
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