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Measuring Project Success 

Measuring Project Success Beyond Time and Budget

While on-time and on-budget delivery represents the most basic success metric, few projects meet both criteria. Relying solely on these measures would classify most implementations as failures.

Below is a comprehensive set of criteria that provides a more complete framework for evaluating project outcomes.

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COTS Project Success Indicators

Delivery Performance

  • Project completed on schedule and within approved budget

  • Scope managed effectively with minimal approved changes

Business Value Realization

  • Key business outcomes and objectives achieved as defined in business case

  • Critical functional requirements satisfied with strong solution fit

  • Measurable ROI realized within expected timeframe

User Experience & Adoption

  • High user adoption rates and sustained engagement

  • Strong user satisfaction scores and positive feedback

  • Minimal resistance to change; effective change management

Technical Implementation

  • Limited customizations; maximum use of out-of-box functionality

  • Seamless integration with existing enterprise systems

  • Clean, accurate data migration with validated integrity

Operational Stability

  • Smooth production cutover with minimal disruption

  • Few defects or issues in production environment

  • Low demand for post-implementation support

  • Effective knowledge transfer to internal teams

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COTS Project Failure Warning Signs

Schedule & Budget Overruns

  • Missed milestones and delayed go-live dates

  • Significant budget overruns driven by:

    • Underestimated implementation complexity

    • Uncontrolled scope creep

    • Excessive change orders and contract amendments

Business Value Gaps

  • Strategic business outcomes not achieved

  • Critical functional gaps requiring workarounds

  • Poor alignment between solution capabilities and business needs

  • ROI targets not met

User Resistance

  • Low adoption rates and user avoidance behaviors

  • Widespread user dissatisfaction and complaints

  • Continued reliance on legacy systems or shadow IT solutions

Technical Challenges

  • Extensive customizations undermining upgrade path

  • Poor integration causing data silos and manual processes

  • Failed, incomplete, or inaccurate data conversions

  • Data quality and integrity issues

Operational Issues

  • Problematic production cutover with significant business disruption

  • High volume of critical defects and system instabilities

  • Ongoing production support requiring both vendor and internal resources

  • Lack of internal capability to support and maintain the system

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