Even when a project is on time, on budget, and within scope (although achieving all three is rare), it may still fall short of success.
Why?
Many projects lack a critical foundational element: alignment. Even the best project management teams could struggle if alignment isn’t there to guide everyone involved. It isn’t just about keeping tasks organized, but to make sure that every person on the team knows what problem they are solving, what success looks like, and why the project matters.
The Missing Link: Alignment
In the Deeper Clarity Method, alignment at the start of a project is more than a nice-to-have; it’s essential. It begins with clearly identifying the problem your team or business is addressing and defining what success looks like. Extra credit if everyone involved can articulate these points.
Complex projects often require multiple teams working together over extended periods – sometimes months, if not years! During this time, team members may join or leave the project, making it harder to maintain focus and engagement. That’s why it’s important that every team member is crystal clear on:
- The problem they are solving.
- The impact they want to create for customers.
- A shared understanding of success.
Extra note on point 3 : What success looks like may evolve as new information and insights are revealed. When everyone understands the project’s overarching goals and purpose, they can pivot with intention rather than confusion.
Aligning Roles
Then, there is also aligning roles and responsibilities – especially in projects involving multiple teams or external partners.
When someone joins a new company or project team, they often go through an onboarding process. This onboarding process may not always include a clear explanation of the roles and responsibilities of other teams. For example, who is responsible for communicating with stakeholders? Who ensures that customer insights are integrated into deliverables? Misunderstandings about who is doing what can lead to inefficiencies, missed deadlines, and frustration.
The Solution
One way to get alignment within the team is to create an Alignment Brief – a living document that acts as the single source of truth for the team. An Alignment Brief should include:
- The problem statement: What are we solving?
- The definition of success: What does success look like for this project?
- Roles and responsibilities: Who is doing what?
- Any other critical information needed to keep the team on track.
This document should be updated intentionally as the project progresses, incorporating new insights and changes in scope or direction.
An Ongoing Effort
Keep in mind, alignment isn’t a one-time exercise; it’s an ongoing effort that holds the success of any project. By prioritizing clarity on the problem, impact, success, and roles, teams can stay focused and adaptable, no matter how many moving parts they’re juggling.
If you want to increase the chances of your project succeeding—not just in terms of timelines and budgets but in delivering meaningful outcomes—start with alignment. Use tools like the Alignment Brief to bring your team together and keep them moving forward with purpose.
_____
RELATED BLOGS
- The Power of Clear Success Metrics in Innovation Project Management
- How to Coordinate Your Business and Development Teams
- Deeper Clarity Method vs. Focus Groups: A Comparative Analysis
Ready to bring more clarity to your next project?
Contact us today to find out how we can help you achieve alignment in your organization!