Why Traditional IT Project Management Is Holding You Back

First of all, Good Morning!

Do you feel like being stuck in the trap of traditional IT project management? You know the drill—scope, time, budget. Check, check, check. But after all that effort, why does it still feel like something’s missing?

Here’s the hard truth we had to learn: Traditional project management is great for keeping things on track, but it’s terrible at fostering innovation. It focuses on satisfying internal stakeholders (ever heard of the HIPPO effect) rather than creating real value for your customers. This leads to a culture where playing it safe is the norm—and innovation takes a backseat.

But here’s how you can flip the script:

1. Think Beyond the Budget: Stop obsessing over man-days and start focusing on the business impact of your work. How are your initiatives improving user experience, driving revenue, or enhancing customer satisfaction?

2. Challenge the Norm: Push your teams to deliver more than just what’s expected. Encourage them to think about how they can create value beyond the initial scope.

3. Reward Innovation, Not Just Execution: Align your incentives with business metrics that matter. Recognize and reward efforts that contribute to growth, not just those that check a box.

It’s time to re-imagine how we approach IT projects. Follow us or check out our book All Hands on Tech (currently in draft mode)

Wishing you a great start into the week and maybe the one or the other topic to reflect on.

Sophie & Matthias