It is easy to find project failure statistics such as: only 2.5 percent of companies successfully complete 100 percent of their projects. Or companies typically go over a project budget by an average of 27 percent. Or the failure rate of projects with a budget of $1 million is 50 percent. What isn’t clear is if any of these failures included the effective execution of a steering committee engaged to help mitigate statistics like these. Have you ever been asked to create a steering committee in order to manage a key initiative or program? How big should it be? How will it make effective decisions? How do you gain strong participation? Here are seven keys to an effective steering committee
- Pick people who have proven themselves effective in a team environment.
- Ensure key organizations are represented understand the plan, description, purpose, and current scope of the initiative.
- Establish ground rules for operation, including budget targets and scope change limitations
- Meet only when necessary – with an intentional agenda and stated objectives
- Keep the size manageable. An effective number 5-7 individuals
- Establish agendas and distribute in advance
- Have a single project leader serve as the general liaison and the goto individual for information and coordination
Steering committees are a critical component for helping organizations deliver project success and meet challenges. What’s been your experience with a non-functioning steering committee?
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