Your IT project is over budget and behind schedule. Which features should you cut?
When your IT project is over budget and behind schedule, it's crucial to make strategic cuts to get back on track. Consider these steps:
- Identify non-essential features: Focus on the core functionalities that deliver the most value to your users.
- Evaluate complexity vs. benefit: Remove features that are complex to implement but offer minimal benefit.
- Get stakeholder input: Engage with stakeholders to prioritize features that align with business goals.
Which features would you prioritize cutting in your IT project? Share your thoughts.
Your IT project is over budget and behind schedule. Which features should you cut?
When your IT project is over budget and behind schedule, it's crucial to make strategic cuts to get back on track. Consider these steps:
- Identify non-essential features: Focus on the core functionalities that deliver the most value to your users.
- Evaluate complexity vs. benefit: Remove features that are complex to implement but offer minimal benefit.
- Get stakeholder input: Engage with stakeholders to prioritize features that align with business goals.
Which features would you prioritize cutting in your IT project? Share your thoughts.
-
Quando um projeto de TI está acima do orçamento e atrasado, é essencial priorizar com estratégia. Primeiro, alinhe-se aos stakeholders para identificar os requisitos críticos para o negócio e os usuários. Utilize a abordagem MoSCoW (Must-have, Should-have, Could-have, Won’t-have) para classificar funcionalidades essenciais e cortar as menos impactantes. Avalie o impacto na experiência do usuário e na segurança antes de eliminar qualquer item. Considere soluções temporárias ou escalonamento por fases para manter o valor do projeto. Transparência na comunicação e ajustes ágeis garantirão que o projeto continue viável e eficiente. O mais importante: reduções precisam ser negociadas e consensuadas com os stakeholders!!
-
• Prioritize Core Functionality: Retain features that directly impact business objectives and user experience. • Cut Low-Impact Enhancements: Eliminate cosmetic or “nice-to-have” features that don’t drive immediate value. • Defer Customizations: Delay highly customized features that increase complexity without short-term benefits. • Streamline Integrations: Reduce non-critical third-party integrations that add time and cost to implementation. • Use Agile Phased Rollouts: Deliver essential features first and introduce additional ones in future iterations. • Leverage Automation: Identify areas where automation can replace manual processes to optimize costs.
-
Kill the Nice-to-Haves: If it’s not essential, it’s gone. Prioritize Core Functionality: What delivers the most value fast? Slash Customization: Stick to standard solutions, avoid complexity. Cut Scope, Not Quality: Deliver a lean but rock-solid product. Defer Add-Ons: Launch now, enhance later. Listen to Users: What do they actually need vs. what you assumed? Optimize Resources: Streamline team efforts, kill inefficiencies.
-
Every project would have defined objectives and must have needs . My aim would be to get back to the whiteboard 1) Relook what has deviated from the initial business case - Across Scope , People Cost , timelines ? 2) Based on the triple constraints- Relook which has contributed to cost overrun and reassess those components. 3) If scope deviation then realign with key decision maker of business to reprioritize the scope . 4) If Timelines, then find the upcoming critical path activities which can be shrunk with existing team by providing them with benefits( Increase in their variable pay tied to project KPI) 5)If people, then relook at your project organization and utilization of team members . 6) CR with the sponsor for acceptable reasons
-
When an IT project runs over budget and behind schedule, strategic cuts are key. Studies show that 45% of project features are rarely or never used, making non-essential features the first to go. Prioritize core functionalities that drive the most value and cut high-complexity, low-impact elements. Engaging stakeholders ensures alignment with business goals while keeping the project on track. Smart trimming isn’t about losing features—it’s about delivering impact efficiently.
Rate this article
More relevant reading
-
Product Road MappingHow do you prevent scope creep in your road map?
-
Business CoachingWhat's the best way to develop a problem-solving roadmap?
-
Operational PlanningWhat do you do if your operational deadlines seem impossible to meet?
-
StrategyYou're balancing short-term projects and long-term goals. How can you ensure they're in sync?