A few common risks and mitigations for creative digital projects

1. @dickyadams
A few common risks
and mitigations for
creative digital
projects*
Not an exhaustive list, but a simple guide

2. @dickyadams
Ineffective or low
impact change
management
Organisation resistant to change including key delivery
departments – significant new processes and
structures in place that may cause short term
resistance
Mitigation: Educate, Inform and communicate; above all else, listen

3. @dickyadams
Too many committee
decisions
Artistic direction becomes muddied due to too many
stakeholders
Mitigation: In the end something that is creative needs creative direction. Identify
who does that straight from the go and define their influence and make it clear to
everyone, that they are the final arbiter.

4. @dickyadams
Differing departmental
requirements
Will delay launch and cause unsatisfied internal
customers; following changes will cost more money.
Mitigation: try to understand what they actually need not what they say they need.

5. @dickyadams
Project resources may
be reallocated for other
(higher) priority projects
Resources are currently committed to this project.
Losing a resource would severely delay project.
Mitigation: Plan ahead and understand the rhythm of the business, where key events happen

6. @dickyadams
Departmental Capacity
Too much to do, day-to-day tasks getting the way; not
enough people or time and this project getting the way
of BAU
Mitigation: Understand workflows and demands, identify potential bottlenecks

7. @dickyadams
Inputs from departments
will not be available when
required
Internal processes and workflows aren’t up to
producing content on time.
Mitigation: Identify potential bottlenecks in workflows, communicate what you want and by when

8. @dickyadams
Recruitment and
Resources
Can you find the right people in time to do the job? Do
you have budget to go further to find them?
Mitigation: Identify early and start recruiting early, use your networks

9. @dickyadams
Data Issues
Data migration may result in loss of customer data.
Customer data is key for day to day business
operations.
Mitigation: Whatever you make, data has to be at the heart from step 1.

10. @dickyadams
Internal Customers find
new workflows and
processes problematic
Badly affects workflows
Mitigation: Early training; tell the story of why you have to change and how that will feel

11. @dickyadams
Audiences may be
resistant to new
product
Customer feedback to be instrumental in design, but
not all customers will like the changes. May result in
bad publicity or customer satisfaction issues.
Mitigation: Test at every stage, even if its small groups of customers

12. @dickyadams
Impact on Sales
Your new product causes drop in sales
Mitigation: Be prepared to monitor from day one and then iterate quickly. Launch is
not a stop it’s a start

13. @dickyadams
Sign off delays
Missed deadlines
Mitigation: Define sign off dates clearly in plan up front and communicate it. If they
still don’t do it, nag, sit outside doors and demand sign off and name and shame.