The Art of Network Engineering Why Projects Fail
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Jan 14, 2026 Yvonne Sharp is an expert in managing the human side of technical projects, while Mike Bouchong advises engineers on bridging the gap between tech and business. They discuss why engineers often struggle to illustrate the business value of their work and emphasize that most project failures stem from people issues, not technical ones. Healthy escalation practices are highlighted alongside the importance of concise communication and ownership. Yvonne shares a light-hearted story about using cheesecake to build crucial networks, all underscoring the need for strong relationships in project success.
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Projects Fail From People And Process
- Most project failures stem from people, process, or organizational issues rather than technical faults.
- Clarifying goals, scope, and escalation paths prevents projects from drifting and failing.
Create One Guiding Project Statement
- Write a single guiding statement like "What are we partnering to achieve?" to align the team.
- Use that statement to check scope changes and require buy-in for any adjustments.
Bridge Information Asymmetry With Why
- Information asymmetry causes frustration when teams don't communicate the 'why' behind decisions.
- Sharing constraints and motivations reduces the sense that timelines are arbitrary.