news 
Title: Why Some Projects Succeed, And Why Some Fail
Despite the ongoing debate between Agile and Waterfall methodologies, it’s essential to acknowledge that both approaches have failed for the same reasons. Insufficient sponsorship and resourcing are the primary drivers of project success or failure.
The 1990s saw a significant shift in the IT landscape. Project management software became mainstream, empowering workers to take on multiple tasks and assignments. This led to a leadership vacuum, which was filled with various methodologies attempting to overcome the inherent optionality of work. The result has been decades of failed projects and ineffective project management.
The problem lies not in the methodology itself but rather in the lack of proper sponsorship and resourcing. Many organizations struggle with too much work and not enough personnel, and their inability to deliver on projects is a direct result of insufficient sponsorship and resourcing.
In reality, both Agile and Waterfall approaches succeed or fail based on the same factors. The key to success lies not in choosing one methodology over the other but rather in ensuring proper sponsorship and resourcing.
This means that executives must take ownership of project forecasting, accountability for predicted outcomes, and personal responsibility for the experience of personnel doing the work. Genuine sponsors do not simply approve projects and hope for success; they are terrified of failure because it is a genuine career threat. This mindset change is crucial to resolving ambiguity and ensuring project delivery.
Organizations that have successfully delivered projects in recent years are those that have resolved ambiguity by providing clear requirements, designs, costs, benefits, and resourcing. These organizations did not invent new methodologies; they simply had real sponsors who ensured the success of their projects.
Ultimately, the answer lies not in methodology but rather in embracing sponsorship and resourcing.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2025/04/25/why-some-projects-succeed-and-why-some-fail/
