When we are operating in environments that are subject to change and uncertainty, in complex or chaotic scenarios, this brings about a number of challenges, for projects, for teams, organisations, to their ways or working.

Many organisations during the pandemic have had to pivot and change their businesses, from mature and well-defined business processes, simple development and delivery of products and services, into complex new scenarios, whether that’s new products or services, new delivery models, or new markets, existing processes and ways of working are no longer fit for purpose, or no longer work for new products or ways of working.

Teams working in changing and uncertain environments often face these common challenges:

• Lack of visibility & clarity across the team, organisation, stakeholders
• Existing processes and ways of working not effective or efficient
• Blocks & bottlenecks in workflow, delivery, improvements
• Slow or deferred decision making
• Difficulty with estimation, prioritisation & planning of activities
• Capacity & capabilities gaps
• Fast changing environment
• Moving goalposts & scope creep
• Starting projects but not finishing them
• Impossible to plan everything upfront – Big upfront planning
• Committing but not acting
• Running late & over budget
• Overload
• Balancing day to day with change
• Lack of reflection / follow up
• Poor communication channels
• Lack of transparency, view of progress
• Lack of trust, breakdown of rapport and relationships
• Lack of collaboration
• Impact of remote working
• Low morale

Pause for Thought

Do you recognise any of these challenges?

Which particularly do you recognise, and where?