40 years, 9 patterns: Why projects struggle – and how to break the cycle

 

Projects don’t fail overnight.

They fail in patterns that we can see coming – and prevent.

 

After nearly 40 years of leading construction, plant, and mill projects worldwide, I’ve seen the same pitfalls appear time and time again.

 

1️⃣ Ignoring the human factor

2️⃣ Undefined scope

3️⃣ Misaligned stakeholders

4️⃣ Poor communication

5️⃣ Weak front-end engineering

6️⃣ Unrealistic budgets and schedules

7️⃣ Incomplete or inaccurate documentation

8️⃣ Low productivity

9️⃣ Poor contractor management

 

The cost went beyond overruns and delays.

👉 It was wasted potential.

👉 It was exhausted teams.

👉 It was leaders losing trust in their own organizations.

 

That’s why I founded PM&C:

Not to add bureaucracy.

But to bring the clarity, alignment, and leadership that keep projects moving forward – efficiently, safely, and reliably.

 

And when people, processes, and purpose move in sync, this is what happens:

✅ Projects finish on time and on budget.

✅ Teams walk away feeling proud, not drained.

✅ Executives gain confidence, not surprises.

 

❓From your experience, what’s the single biggest factor that makes or breaks a project?

 

👉 Projects deserve more than just completion.

They deserve success.

PM&C is your partner from start to success.