Did the project deliver what actually made the difference?
Question of the week.
“The project ends. The impact continues—or it doesn’t.”
— PM Researcher
Did the project deliver what actually made the difference?
We often celebrate the successful completion of a project:
On time
On budget
On scope
All boxes checked.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth:
A finished project doesn’t guarantee real-world impact.
The project is the temporary effort.
The product is what lives on—software, a process, a service, an outcome.
You can execute the plan perfectly… and still miss the point.
Because the real test is this:
Did what you deliver create the change it was meant to?
Don’t confuse delivery with success.
Measure what happens after the ribbon is cut.
PM Researcher
While this statement is fundamentally correct, it can also be dangerously misunderstood. When initiating any project, it must be crystal clear that the project objectives will lead to the desired market success. If evidence emerges mid-project that success is unlikely, the project should be paused, objectives reassessed, and then restarted with revised targets and plan.
However, I have frequently observed that constant questioning of project targets becomes counterproductive, distracting teams from execution and leading to delays, postponements, and compromised product quality.