Without a defined end date that has been communicated to and agreed upon by stakeholders, a project stalls; discover why this is a crucial aspect of project management and a key item on your 10-point project checklist.
In this article, I explain how to set a realistic target date, even with limited resources, and what distinguishes a project from continuous improvement.
Do we really need an end date ?
Would you file your tax return if there were no deadline and no penalties for filing late?
Similarly, do you really think a project stands a chance of succeeding if you haven’t set an end date for it?
I have heard arguments like, “With no budget and limited resources, I don’t want to set an end date for this project : it would just add pressure on the teams.”
Here's where the mistake lies: Confusion and a lack of visibility also cause stress for teams.
If you find yourself in this situation, you can propose an end date and then assess its feasibility with stakeholders, then determine by how many days, weeks, or months it needs to be pushed back.
However, the rule is clear: without a target date, a project will not move forward.
You can even include meeting the deadline as a project objective - a requirement that is sometimes mandatory for regulatory projects.
Is it a project or is it continuous improvement ?
Another important point: if you find yourself in a situation where it is impossible to set an end date, then you are not talking about a project.
For example, the goal of "being healthy" will likely remain valid throughout your life. However, if you have a specific goal—such as "being healthy for a particular family event"—then you can turn it into a project and implement a precise action plan. But if you simply want to "be healthy" for the rest of your life, you will need to consistently carry out a set of regular actions. And that is not project management.
Let's sum-up :
- Have you clearly defined an end date for your project?
- Have you communicated it to those around you (we always come back to change management - I promise to talk about that soon!) ?
- Has it been approved by all stakeholders?
If the answer to all these questions is yes, you’re on the right track and can move on to check the other items on the project checklist.
If your answer is no, then... you know what you need to do 🙂
Do you need an outside perspective ?
That's exactly what I bring with the Project Audit : a quick diagnosis to identify what's missing and deliver you clear and actionable tasks to steer the project back on track.
👉 Discover more about the Project Audit
I hope this article has shed some light on the subject, and I look forward to seeing you soon as we continue exploring the other components of the project checklist!