Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) Practice Exam

What is a common cause for project failures?

1. Exceeding the project budget

2. Perfectly meeting all objectives

3. Deliverables produced without purpose

4. Efficient time management

The correct answer is: Deliverables produced without purpose

A common cause for project failures is indeed the production of deliverables without a clear purpose. This situation often arises when project goals and the needs of the stakeholders are not well-defined, leading to a scenario where the team may produce outputs that do not align with the overall objectives of the project. When deliverables are developed without understanding their intended impact or benefit, they can result in wasted resources, time, and efforts, as they fail to contribute meaningfully to the project's objectives or the organization’s strategic goals. This disconnect can lead to stakeholder dissatisfaction and project abandonment, highlighting the critical importance of ensuring that all project outputs serve a well-defined purpose. On the other hand, while exceeding the project budget can lead to financial issues, it is not a cause in itself for project failure if the deliverables were still aligned with objectives. Meeting all objectives perfectly may also not result in success if those objectives were misguided or overly ambitious. Efficient time management can contribute to project success and is generally viewed positively.