Why Projects Fail – The Need to “Do the Right Project” and “Do the Project Right”

Systems Thinking has become very topical for project professionals leading to its inclusion in BOK 8 and the recent APM guide to picking the right projects. This session will introduce some Systems Thinking concepts and illustrate them in practice with case studies. This event was held on 29 January 2026.

Systems thinking is both a mindset and a toolset that project professionals benefit from using, particularly in complex projects where emergence (changes to needs and requirements during the project) is probable.

Trying to stick to the baseline plan in complex projects can lead to massive delays and cost overruns while delivering much reduced benefits – systems thinking helps refocus on delivering the target benefits at the expense of adherence to the original plan.

We introduced key reasons that the wrong project i.e. one that will not solve the problem or move it elsewhere, is chosen. We explained how systems thinking helps prevent this and illustrate this with case studies. We gave a brief overview of areas where thinking systemically helps the project lead to keep the project focus on delivering the target benefits while avoiding unexpected disbenefits and side-effects. We introduced the new APM Guide to “Doing the Right Project”.

Speakers:

Anca Popa MBA ChPP, Principal P3M Consultant, Costain Group plc

Anca is a large-scale Business Change and P3M Consultant with 20 years’ experience in multimillion-pound transformation programmes within highly technical and stakeholder diverse environments. Anca is an active member of Systems Thinking and Enabling Change Interest Networks, where she promotes the integration of Systems Thinking, Change Management and Transactional Analysis within Project and Programme Management practice to increase benefits realisation. Anca currently works for Costain.

Cesar Rendora CEng FICE ChPP FAPM, Senior Project Manager, Jacobs

Cesar is a practicing senior project manager and chartered civil engineer. Cesar has 40 years’ experience in managing the delivery of major infrastructure projects both in the UK and overseas. These projects cover a broad range of business sectors spanning railways, highways, bridges, buildings, mixed-use development, airports, ports and utility infrastructures. Cesar has been an active member of APM Systems Thinking SIG/IN for over five years and recently became the Deputy Leader of Systems Thinking Interest Network. Cesar currently works for Jacobs.

The speakers have very kindly allowed their presented material to be made available for viewing. The slides on Slideshare are now available in our APM resources area and also embedded below for reference.