Defeat the status quo: how to run the perfect digital project

Does this sound like you? 

So what happens next?• You’ve convinced the company it’s time

for a redesign. • You’ve got the budget. • Maybe you’ve even selected a tech

platform? • You’ve convinced them to try agile. • You’ve set the scope and deadline. • You’ve assembled a great team (internal

or external). • Everything is looking good.

6-months later…• You’re behind schedule. • It’s more expensive than anticipated. • You’re getting heat from above. • Scope is growing. • Quality is slipping. • Team moral is low. • When you finally launch, it’s not the

success everybody anticipated.

Nightmare!!!

Don’t worry, we’ve all been there.

So what the f**k happened?

Doing it is the difficult bit.

So let’s jump back to the start.• You’ve convinced the company it’s time

for a redesign. • You’ve got the budget. • Maybe you’ve even selected a tech

platform? • You’ve convinced them to try agile. • You’ve set the scope and deadline. • You’ve assembled a great team (internal

or external). • Everything is looking good. Already too late!

is the definition of insanity.

Doing the same thingover and over againand expecting different results

defining the problemIf I had one hour to save the world

and five minutes finding the solution.

I would spend fi$y-five minutes

Problem: We over-soldthe project from theoutset.

Problem: Humans are terrible at estimating future outcomes.

Solution: Become product ratherthan project centric.

Problem: We estimated at thepoint in the project when weknew the least.

Problem: We didn’t have theright people estimating.

Solution: A good scoping phase

Problem: Technology is surprisingly opinionated. 

Problem: Selecting your technology platform too early can paint youinto a corner.  

Solution: Design from theoutside in.

Problem: Agile isn’t a cure-all.

Solution: Try being agile (with a lowercase “a”)

Problem: Scope creep.

Solution: A kick-ass product manager with real authority.

Problem: Organisational silos.

Solution: Product teams andcross functional pairing. 

Problem: A talented butinexperienced team.

Solution: Get external help(and perspective).

Problem: You select an agencybased on a pitch.

Solution: Try working with the agency first

Design is a culture problem

It’s very difficultfor one person

to changea whole culture

Thanks for your time.

Any questions?

Learn more about our story at clearleft.com/timeline