Systems engineering projects provide many challenging issues that need to be managed effectively.

The main obstacles to a succesful project are:

• Under-funding.

  • insufficient budget for management.

  • insufficient budget for training.

  • insufficient budget for manpower.

  • insufficient budget for materials.

  • insufficient budget of time.

• Insufficient research.

  • lack of prior or relevant knowledge in what will be required to complete a project on time and to budget.

  • lack of sufficient knowledge of likely threats or weaknesses that could hamper the project.

  • lack of sufficient knowledge of possible strengths or opportunities that could improve the chances of the project being successfully completed.

• Poor management.

  • lack of focus or lack of vision, direction or purpose.

  • lack of control over budgets.

  • lack of control over manpower.

  • lack of control over technology.

  • poor communication.

  • lack of trust.

These obstacles need to be overcome to optimise the chances of a successfull project.

Planning a path or lifecycle for the project allows a management plan to be adhered to.