---
title: TOP Thinking on | Project Success
description: Project Success | For more than three decades, we have been challenging the orthodox thinking about strategy and project execution in our TOP Thinking blog.
---
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# TOP Thinking on
#### [Degrees Of Failure Of Success?](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/degrees-of-failure-of-success)
Whether we seek full success or allow degrees of success of failure determines the results we deliver. Allowing 'degrees of success' thinking is sloppy thinking
#### [Delivering 'To Specification' v 'Implementation'](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/delivering-to-specification-v-implementation)
Effective project implementation delivers results. Delivery to specification delivers an output. The business wants results. Here's the differences
#### ["What Will This Do For The Profit?"](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/what-will-this-do-for-the-profit)
The first question you ask of a proposed project will impact its success. Ask, "What will this do for the profit?" and you've changed the conversation.
#### [When Does A Project 'Fail'?](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/when-does-a-project-fail)
Project failure is relative; most projects fail in part, 40% of projects fail overall in terms of net value delivered. This is avoidable if you use a value perspective.
#### [What To Do When You Don't Have The Staff For Your Projects](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/what-to-do-when-you-dont-have-the-staff-for-your-projects)
Organizations believe they don't have the staff required for them to be fully involved in and lead projects. But this limitation can be easily overcome
#### ["Not Interested"](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/software-vendors-are-not-interested-in-delivering-value)
Software companies may promise the world but are fundamentally not interested in helping you realize the benefits available from their software. Beware.
#### [If It's Broke, DON'T Fix It!](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/if-its-broke-dont-fix-it)
The lack of project success shows project delivery process are broke. They need to be fixed. Start by defining a new set of project success measures
#### [Project Success Starts By Defining Your 'Desired Business Outcomes'](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/project-success-starts-with-defining-your-desired-business-outcomes)
Your clear, specific, and measurable 'desired business outcomes' should be drafted at the very start and should then drive every aspect of your project. But sadly, few projects identify them...
#### [How To Burst The "Project Bubble"](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/how-to-burst-the-project-bubble)
Business managers can tend to lose sight of their business context and goals when on projects. To combat this you need to change the measures of success
#### [Time For Projects To Move Out Of The 'Iron Age'](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/time-for-projects-to-move-out-of-the-iron-age)
It is time to replace the Iron Triangle measures with the TOP Value Triangle measures as the basis for increasing project success
#### [How Reframing The 'Iron Triangle' Can Change The Game](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/the-need-to-reframe-the-iron-triangle)
The orthodox Iron Triangle inadvertently encourages the scope and specification to be the first element compromised. When you reframe the Triangle you can see why that's wrong.
#### [Why Brand-Name Consultants Won't Deliver Value](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/why-brand-name-consultants-wont-deliver-value)
The major brand-name consultancies are not set up or intending to deliver measurable value to their clients. Here's why and what you can do about it.
#### [10 Ways The Iron Triangle Measures Can Destroy Project Success](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/10-ways-the-iron-triangle-measures-can-destroy-project-success)
The orthodox project success measures of 'on time, on budget' are not benign; they are dangerous as they encourage the destruction of value
#### [Why 'Effective Implementation' Is Critical To Project Success](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/why-effective-implementation-is-critical-to-project-success)
Projects delivered to specification can still fail at the implementation stage. Only effective implementation ensures project success
#### [The Absurdity Of The Triple Constraint Measures Of Project Success](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/the-absurdity-of-the-triple-constraint-measures-of-project-success)
The orthodox measures of project success are, when you really think about it, absurd. They measure inputs not outputs but what you want is outputs.
#### [Forget Stakeholder Management, Focus On The Project Owners](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/forget-stakeholder-management-focus-on-the-project-owners)
Stakeholder management ignores the fact that the business areas impact, management and sponsor are the owners and investors
#### [The absurdity Of The Triple Constraint Project Success Measures](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/the-absurdity-of-the-triple-constraint-project-success-measures)
When you think about it, measuring project success using the Triple Constraint or Iron Triangle is absurd. They measure completely the wrong dimensions
#### [The Triple Constraint Measures Of Project Success Are Dangerous](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/the-triple-constraint-measures-of-project-success-are-dangerous)
The standard Triple Constraint or Iron Triangle measures of project success actually cause expensive to the business problems and should be replaced
#### [What Are Your Measures Of Project Success?](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/what-are-your-measures-of-project-success)
How you measure project success determines if your projects deliver successfully in business terms
#### [How To Define True Project Success For Your Projects 2](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/how-to-define-true-project-success-for-your-projects-2)
Project success requires you to know all of the activities required, your path dependencies and your benefits' up-to-date value. Do you know this for your project?
#### [How To Define True Project Success For Your Projects 1](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/how-to-define-true-project-success-for-your-projects-1)
The TOP Value Equation equips you to define and deliver true project success that maximizes the business value realized
#### [The True Cost Of Project Failure](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/the-true-cost-of-project-failure)
Lack of project success incurs massive costs - both visible and invisible. No organization can afford such failure.
#### [Four Principal Areas Of Control To Ensure Project Success](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/four-principal-areas-of-control-to-ensure-project-success)
You cannot track project success through orthodox project reporting, there are four critical areas that need to be tracked and measured to ensure the success of your project
#### [The 7 Prerequisites To Delivering Successful Projects](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/the-7-prerequisites-to-delivering-successful-projects)
Here are 7 prerequisites that you need to have in place for successful projects. You should check each project today against the checklist provided.
#### [The 10 Measures Of Project Success](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/the-10-measures-of-project-success)
The measures of project success abound, but there are 10 key measures of success that matter to the business.
#### [Project Completion Is Not 'Project Success'](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/project-completion-is-not-project-success)
Project completion does not equal project success. Project success is a different measure that orthodox methodologies do not support. A new approach is needed.
#### [We Need To Talk About 'Benefits'](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/we-need-to-talk-about-benefits)
The obstacles to the successful implementation of benefits management come in all shapes and sizes, but boil down to three root causes.
#### [What Are "Critical Success Factors"?](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/critical-success-factors)
Critical Success Factors are prerequisites to the success of the project, not the most important measures of success.
#### [Can You Choose Your Project Measures Of Success?](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/can-choose-your-project-measures-of-success)
Many projects are using the wrong measures of success. Yet, there is only one true measure of success which is simple to understand.
#### [Business Outcomes — The Holy Grail For Projects](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/business-outcomes-the-holy-grail)
The definition of your desired business outcomes is the 'holy grail 'of projects that every manager needs to understand.
#### [The Choice Between Measuring Project Success By Inputs Or Outputs](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/the-choice-between-measuring-project-success-by-inputs-or-outputs)
The success of most projects is measured by time and cost - the inputs. Success should instead be measured by what comes out of the project.
#### [“Why ‘Transformation Programs’ Fail”](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/why-transformation-programs-fail)
Transformation programs demand that the organization has the necessary 'capability' to successfully deliver them. Most organization's are deficient.
#### [The Need To Be Cruel With Projects To Ensure Success](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/the-need-to-be-cruel-with-projects-to-ensure-success)
Too many projects deliver compromises that adversely impact business operations for years. This is a waste and the opposite to success.
#### [Functional Architectures Are Not Processes](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/functional-architectures-are-processes)
Functional, technical, and strategic "architectures" do not process charts. They do not necessarily help to improve the business.
#### [Projects Don’t Deliver Outcomes Or Benefits Only Outputs | Myth 6](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/projects-dont-deliver-outcomes-or-benefits-only-outputs-myth-6)
The idea of projects not being responsible for benefits is false and needs to be rejected.
#### [International Recognition For TOP By Gartner](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/international-recognition)
TOP's international recognition by Gartner as a 2011 Cool Vendor
#### [The 8 Self Evident Value Delivery Truths #4 Don't Start What You Can't Finish](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/the-8-self-evident-value-delivery-truths-4)
Assessing if you can deliver successful projects that are strategically relevant is the key to project success.
#### [‘Doing’ Versus ‘Delivering’ Project Measures Of Success](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/doing-versus-delivering-project-measures-of-success)
The true measure of project performance and success is delivering and achieving our desired outcomes; not doing and completing tasks. We need to change our project measures of success.
#### [Are Your Investments Losing More Money Than You Think?](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/are-your-investments-losing-more-money-than-you-think)
Most project investments are losing far more money than appears. Maybe double or more. The actual waste is massive. Learn why.
#### [Critical Insights 6 - What is True Project Success?](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/critical-insights-6-what-is-true-project-success)
Critical Insights (6) Project “Success” has three dimensions
[**](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/project-success/page/2)
### TOPics
- [Benefits Management (29)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/benefits-management)
- [Business Case (24)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/business-case)
- [Business Simplification (5)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/business-simplification)
- [Capability Development (38)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/capability-development)
- [Capital Investment (24)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/capital-investment)
- [Change Management (17)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/change-management)
- [Consultants (1)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/consultants)
- [Costs and Waste (16)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/costs-and-waste)
- [Engineered Thinking/Ideas/Innovation (8)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/engineered-thinking-ideas-innovation)
- [Fifteen Critical Insights (15)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/fifteen-critical-insights)
- [Idea / Project Initiation (3)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/idea-project-initiation)
- [Mental Models, Beliefs and Myths (18)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/mental-models-beliefs-and-myths)
- [Outcomes Thinking (10)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/outcomes-thinking)
- [Path Dependency (10)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/path-dependency)
- [Prioritization (13)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/prioritization)
- [Process Management (11)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/process-management)
- [Productivity Improvement (7)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/productivity-improvement)
- [Program / Project delivery (40)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/program-project-delivery)
- [Project Controls (52)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/project-controls)
- [Project Governance (90)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/project-governance)
- [Project Management (4)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/project-management)
- [Project Success (46)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/project-success)
- [Project Validation (2)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/project-validation)
- [Risk Management (5)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/risk-management)
- [Scope Management (5)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/scope-management)
- [Standards/Frameworks/Methods (14)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/standards-frameworks-methods)
- [Strategic Project Portfolio Management (16)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/strategic-project-portfolio-management)
- [Strategy Execution (39)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/strategy-execution)
- [The TOP Four Lenses (1)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/the-top-four-lenses)
- [TOP compared to orthodox approaches (7)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/top-compared-to-orthodox-approaches)
- [Value Delivery (83)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/value-delivery)
- [Value Equation (60)](https://blog.totallyoptimizedprojects.com/top-thinking/topic/value-equation)
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