NiQsTeR

Latest trends. Tons of Opportunities for the information technology people. The union of the latest trends and the greatest opportunities this society offers for people. Those are the things came up to my mind when I read about our fourth exercise in Technopreneurship. If you see our society today new brands and models of mobile phones pops out in flash, huge IT companies are growing everywhere offering such great opportunities for people. When I thought making this essay, I find too simple but yet it is hard to take down because of the number of latest new things our society has. Lots of ideas came up to my mind that I end up blank. But still I will try to recover things up. So, what are my observations on about our latest trends not just in our country but worldwide as well? Actually there are a lot of things to look out for.

The information revolution is rapidly spreading and dominating our society. Everywhere we look and everything you touch have a touch of Information Technology on it. Aside from computers information technology is also present in our home appliances, mobile phones, even in simple image making, editing and logo designing can be done with the help of the latest technology in our society. But first let me just define what are these terms all about.

TRENDS

What is hot and what is not? What is cool and what is old-fashioned? Trends can be defined as the latest kinds of everything that is being used on this period of time. And sometimes it could be defined as a direction of inclination in which things are headed to. It could also be a tendency of a movement of something. I find trends as what is “in” and what is “out” of the era, a popular taste at a given time. A trend can obviously be noticed because you can see it everywhere. It could be in the sense of fashion, architecture, even in the way the people speak and most especially in the technology we have today. You see, if you try to observe from our history, lots of changes happened and it is inevitable. And we are now on the 21st century, new trends are coming especially in information technology which we know changes its trends rapidly and in a flash. If we talk about information technology trends as of today, you could cite hi-tech gadgets as one. I could still remember how we use VHS players before and using VHS tapes for viewing some old videos, then from VHS we have the VCD (or the Video Compact Disc) players and us CDs to watch videos and play music, form VCDs we o now to the DVD (or the Digital Video Disc) players which have the DVDs that could store up to 24 movies in one disc. For computers, we have the Pentium computers but now we have i7 for Intel which is way faster than the old processors. We also have some new laptops that are very cool like Apple’s MacBook Air, Sony Vaio and whole lot more, and for Christmas, I want a MacBook, hehehe. LCD (or the Liquid Crystal Display) and LED (or the Light Emitting Diode) televisions are the latest TV that more people are using now we also have it as desktop computer monitors. For me, one of the things I find fast in changing its trends is mobile devices. I could still remember using Nokia 3310 and it was the coolest phone that time, it was like everyone is dying to have one of it but now we have Apple’s iPhone, Samsung’s Galaxy S or popularly known as that Android phone also LG’s Optimus which I also know as an Android phone. In the communication world, I could still remember sending snail mails that take 3 days before the recipient receives it but now we EMAIL or the Electronic Mail that takes up a second to be sent to the receiver. And if you could observe, internet surfing can now be done using just your mobile phones and you now do not have to go to the internet cafes or open up your computers to send emails or check your inboxes. Internet connection evolved as well, before we have the DIAL-UP connections to DSL or the Digital Subscriber Line or also we have the BROADBAND which is way faster than dial-ups. We also have the plug-it devices for laptops and desktops too, actually I am using one now, and it has the same speed as DSL and it is very handy especially for outgoers because you can bring it anywhere. Aside from those connections, the latest among them is the WI-FI connection or the Wireless Local Area Network is used by most of the people nowadays especially laptop users and for now, even mobile devices also have wifi connectivity too. For job-seekers, you could now look for jobs by just sitting in-front of your computers and just wait for the employers to contact you, online jobs are also available for freelancers like some of my friends who love to stay at home and too lazy to look for work outside.

You see, everything changes easily. And because humans are always asking for more, these things I could maybe outdated already. People are so much into thinking how we could improve our lives and make our works easier and efficient.

OPPORTUNITIES

What is an opportunity? For me, it’s a favorable circumstance that could maybe help you and you could benefit from it. It is like giving you a chance to do something that benefits you. As I have observed lately, opportunities are everywhere, can be easily seen especially if your eyes are open and the willingness to achieve your goals is there. Even if you just sit in-front of you computer the whole day, you could still see a lot of opportunities there. What more if you are to explore more in the cyber world, numerous of opportunities are spreading.

Have you been to Ortigas in Manila? Well, I have not. Hehe. But I have seen some pictures of my friends when we had our field trip there. I have seen gigantic buildings and amazing sights, it was like they were on another country. As I was watching, I could sense that there are a lot of opportunities for people because of the fast changes and the evolution of technology in our society. Even here on Davao, IT companies are arising everywhere, like Concentrix and Sutherland. They give great opportunities for people, fresh graduate or even undergraduate can work there. Before the information revolution, I could still remember how people especially newly graduated students suffer from being unemployed and looking for jobs. If I am to review everything I have learned in Technopreneurship, there are still a lot of things to be discovered, a lot of opportunities to conquer and things to be explored. Every one of us is talented and skillful, if we are going to use these, I know for sure that we are going to succeed in whatever career that we will take.

CONVERGENCE
Just so you know, this word is not anymore new to me, but, a very big BUT, the meaning of it is still unclear to me. I tried to look for definitions online and this is what I got, from Wikipedia, “Convergence can refer to previously separate technologies such as voice (and telephony features), data (and productivity applications), and video that now share resources and interact with each other, synergistically creating new efficiencies.” So basically, convergence is about different things that meet, interact or converge. For example, let us say the PSITS event or the Philippine Society of Information Technology Students, once a year we hold an event where IT students from different schools gather to create great camaraderie and friendship among others, which is called convergence. There are a lot of types of convergence, it could be in by means of medical, math, technology, and a lot more. But since we are talking about the IT convergence and the trends and opportunities it has, we will just cite some points on what will happen if IT trends and IT opportunities combine.

There are a lot of things that are involved in this convergence (this is from Wikipedia):

THE INTERNET

The most popular medium in mass communication at this era. Everyone and everything is n the internet. People, places, things, and events you can find them on the internet. Even the latest headlines on the news are available over the net. Want some research samples? There are a lot of it spreading over the cyber world. Business and communication is best on this medium. In business, putting up your online store can also be done here, E-bay can be one good example, E-bay is now one of the best sites that offer stuff with great security. I also have some friends who sell their stuff over the internet like t-shirts, accessories and even gadgets too, whether it is second hand or brand new. Try to put your company online, it will be a huge blast, since people are into surfing so much, it is a good chance to boost up you company’s advertising schemes in order to be known and be popular. In communication, the internet is also the leading medium. After cellular phones, the internet became the hub of every people. If you try to contact someone, you could find the information over the net. If you want to announce something, everybody on the internet will know. Even reunions happen on the internet too. That how important and valuable the internet is.

MESSAGING CONVERGENCE

Messaging including SMS, MMS and EMAIL are some of the factors that contribute to the convergence of the IT trends and opportunities. You see, SMS and MMS can be done on mobile phones right? So since, mobile trends are fast evolving, even emailing can be done on it too.

HOME NETWORK

Since internet is worldwide, you could be in any place while just sitting. Being able to meet other people from other countries is a great thing too. Being able to develop my communication skills by talking to foreigners is very important to me. Being able to earn money while playing is fun in a way that there no pressure and I can still do whatever I want whenever I want to. Being able to have fun while talking to some old friends from the past is a hug thing to me. That is why I am very thankful to the technology.

THE CONVERGENCE

So what is this “Trends and Opportunities in Convergence” all about? So if we are going to analyze everything, it is where the latest trends and the opportunities it offers that meets together to set something and to help the society to improve. It has been a long time since this convergence began but only a few people in our country responded to it and noticed it. With the help of these latest trends and the opportunities it offers, people can live and earn money the easiest way. I also have a friend who earns at least 15,000 pesos a month by just writing an article and updating his blog. I got envious when I heard about it so I tried to do my own thing as well. I know have my own blog but still I am in the b\newbie stage. I also have some friends who earn money by just making logo designs which they can sell it to their foreign clients and earn dollars. With a simple help from these trends and the hi-tech things we have right now, everything is smooth-sailing and progressive.

Having IT trends and opportunities to converge brought new life to our society. It has greatly improved our ways of living especially those who went for several sufferings just to survive. Even high school graduate people can live the life they want to even though they do not have any degree attained.

What is meaning? How can I make one in my life? How can I put something meaningful with what I am doing? Do I love what I am doing? Is this what I really want? Do I have a great career waiting for me in the future? Can I be successful?

All this time in our Technopreneurship we are being asked about our passion and what do we want to happen in our lives in the future. I could still think about how I am going to change my life, how I am going to do a 180 degrees turn against my past mind set. I have been thinking about this ever since I have enrolled in this program. Did I make the right choice? Will I be happy on this path I took? Ever since grade school, I already have plans in my life; what course I will take; which path I should take. When I was still young, it was always been my hobby scanning my father’s architectural magazines; I love scanning his portfolios and I love looking at his blue prints of huge buildings. When I grew I bit older, I started to love drawing, designing structures of establishments; it has been my first love designing buildings. I have joined several art workshops and earned awards. At that moment, I have already known what I my heart wants. But sudden twist came into my life. Due to unexpected events, I had no other choice but to take up Bachelor of Science in Information Technology rather than Bachelor of Science in Architecture or Civil Engineering. I had to do a forceful maneuver to move on. It was quite hard for me; it was like taking away my toys; I became heartbroken. But I had nothing to do but to continue and prove to my self that I am versatile. I can do whatever it is that I am asked to do. I was just doing this because I have to not because I want to. Ever since Sir Randy became our facilitator, he keeps on instilling in our minds to know what we want as early as now. He shares things that really motivate us in reaching the summit of success. But since being on this program is not really the thing that I want, how am I going to be successful?

So I was thinking that I have already spent 3 years on this program, there is no turning back. All I did was to accept and to think of something that would make me love this course. Now, I am thinking about what I can do to myself with this path I chose. How can I be successful? How can I make myself happy? How can be useful to my family? How can I be useful in my community? As I go on with this program Sir Randy, a realization suddenly came and made me think that with this course and with my hidden skills, I can make a “thing” that would answer all of my questions. At first, I was able to determine what I love, what I do not love and the things that I can do. I was also able to determine what my purposes are, for me, for my family, for my community and for the whole world. Sir Randy even asked us to think of a techno business, which was sort of new to me.

Since we are still on the “making of a business” node, Sir Randy shown to us a video of a certain guy. That guy was Mr. Guy Kawasaki; he was once an Apple fellow and the director of Garage Technology Ventures, a venture capitalist firm. So what was the video all about? What was he talking about? Everything he said talks about how to make a meaning on entrepreneurship. Why do we have to make a meaning and how important it is to have a meaning on everything that we do. Many people on our generation want money on the easiest and the quickest way they can.

He strongly believes that the essence of entrepreneurship is to make meaning; “if you make meaning, you will probably make money; but you set out to make money, you will probably not make meaning and you won’t make money”. I was struck by what he said. Is making meaning that important in earning money? Since when does “meaning” became a way in making money? I agreed on what he said, if you really think about it, the belief he stated was sensible. People nowadays are into making money. Who else doesn’t? And then they tend to forget about what are his purposes why he came up with such company or business. We make businesses just for our own benefits and not thinking how our business could help others and the community as well.

Mr. Guy Kawasaki stated that there are three main ways to make a “meaning” to your career: increase the quality of life, right a wrong, and prevent the end of something good.

Increase the quality of life

Think of something that would greatly help and increase the quality of life not just for you but for the people around you. When starting a business think of something worthy as your inspiration and think of something big that could be your greatest motivation. As what Mr. Guy Kawasaki said, when they were making the Mac computers, they were motivated not because of the money they are going to earn but because they wanted to unleash the creativity and the skills of the Mac users, the people behind Mac were motivated by thinking how they are going to change people’s lives. It is not that hard to do, right? Instead of thinking how we can get money, let us think on how we are going to change people’s ways of living; let us think of something that will put a big mark on the industry, a legacy that we can be proud of. Through this, we will be genuinely happy and contented for sure. It is great seeing the smiles of people because of what you did for them.

Right a wrong

Observe Philippines for example, if you are a pessimistic person, you will see this country as dirty, not organize and chaotic. And as a starting-up technopreneur, it will be best to think of something that would greatly help this country. Fix something that you think is wrong. Like corruption, abuses, and such; think of something that could end all those. It would not be easy since big people are behind all of the bad things happening but start with small things and slowly pull up and let people hear your heart. And when you find something to end it, it would helpful not just for yourself but for the community where you are at as well. Isn’t it great if you will be one the people who will contribute to the end of crimes in your country? You will be an instant super hero. But yet the essence of helping is the main key for you to achieve the thing that you want.

Prevent the end of something good

Despite all the bad things happening around us, I know we could still see something good beyond all of these. If your will search deeper, you will be able to see things that are amazing and just waiting for us to be seen. If you can see something good, something great, something very useful, do not change it, instead, make something that would improve it and enhance it. Use everything that you think is the best in order to improve yourself as well. Use every resource you could have to start or improve your business. For example, there are still hidden paradise here in the Philippines for sure, instead of invading them and destroy, make something out of it like putting up a resort or a museum that showcases the greatness of our country, in that way, you will be promoting country’s tourism and yet make money out of it.

Mr. Guy Kawasaki highly recommended to at least have one of these three ways if you plan to put up a business or an organization. If you do not have any, take time to think all over again. Having these three ways could help you make a meaning in your business. Through this, you will not grow tired in working on your business since you know that you are doing it because you know you are helping others while you are earning as well.

For me as person, I have also set my own ways on how I am going to make meaning in my own very ways and experiences. So these are: to know what I want, to set my goals, to set my scope, and to determine my purpose.

SET: WHT I WANT

This was one of our activities during Techno 1, it was to determine what we love, what are we best at, and what our irritants are. I was also able to assess myself of what I really wanted to do with my life. Fortunately, I was able to find one that caught my interest and attention. It is not easy seeking for your love and your wants, although its easy when we talk about material things but when it comes to real things in the real world, it would a little harder. So it is really important to determine what you love, what you want and what your interests earlier.

SET: GOALS

Setting up your goals would help us find our paths and never get lost. Setting up goals serves as our map in our journey to our finish line which is the success of our business. These goals will also serve as our reminders and motivation. Every time we see our goals we will be reminded to be more persevered and determined. Every time we see these goals we will be able to know where we are heading and be guided.

SET: SCOPE

Just like in our Programming Management subject, it is really important to determine the scope of your business. In order not to over-do everything, determining the scope of your business will greatly help you in terms of management in time and in cost.

SET: PURPOSE

Knowing your purpose is just the same as setting some goals but it is way more deeper. Knowing what you can do in order to fulfill your purpose is a great achievement already. Having purpose in life also serves as our guide not just in your business but in your life as well. Since I told you that it is way deeper, your purpose should come from your heart and not just from your mind through paper. Fulfilling the purpose of you business is just the same with fulfilling half of your purpose in life. That is why determining your purpose and fulfilling them is a necessity and it is also a key to eternal and guanine happiness.

These are just my own list to make my own meaning. Different people have different perspective in life, which is why we have to look on both sides in order to avoid misconceptions and misunderstandings. I also highly recommend to apply Mr. Guy Kawasaki’s ways to find meaning, it is very easy to understand and very easy to apply. Its message is very clear and meaningful as what I have said. Apply at least one will help you find your own meaning and having the real happiness would be very easy.

WHAT I LEARNED?

Money is not everything. Meaning is everything. We cannot have money all the time but we can make meaning with every move we make and every breath we take. When you already found your meaning on things that you do, then you are doing the right thing and you are on the right path. I know sometimes we tend to get lost on the track but having a certain meaning could help you get back and move on.

We were given a task to walk around and look for a technopreneur idea. Well, I think I have also thought of one during technopreneurship 1, and it was about an online artist agency. Now, I want to think of something that I am interested to nowadays. It is really hard to think of something at first especially when you are already satisfied with what you have right now. Since I love doing something, anything under the sun, I want think of something that I will be able to put out on hands someday. As I have confessed in my past proposal, I am not a business-minded person.

Almost everything nowadays, automatic, and more people are now living and depending on the cyber world. Career people are always in a hurry and with the help of the internet and hi-tech gadgets; it makes their work easier and faster. I am referring to event organizers specifically. I could see that their ways of living are always in a rush. There a lot of things to take care of and it is not easy organizing things and being reprimanded by your bosses. That is why I have made this kind of business in order to help them for their work to become easier and faster. At first I have thought of an online shop, but online shops are so 2009. And I do not think I will be able to make gadgets. But since it is just an idea why not make it fantastic.

During the last technopreneurship, I was able to think of a business which was called Cyber Artists Center. If I will be given a chance, I will still try to implement it because it is my passion; performing. So, what is Cyber Artists Center all about? It is where I hold different artists like bands, singers, dancers and even emcees. Since I am into performing as well, I would like to have it this way. Where we all get to benefit, we get to earn money and at the same time fulfill our dreams of becoming performers not just in our locality but the whole wide world as well. But this idea does not stop inside the cyber world; I have plans on creating my own company in live action. Where I get to train and help lots of amateurs yet talented people. I know for a fact that talented people are scattered everywhere, especially on the cyber world. If you would try searching on Youtube, you will see millions of videos where talented people perform. I could see that they are really doing their best on getting the people’s attention so they can show what they have got. I know what they are feeling because I, myself too is in the state where I want to show to others that I am not just an ordinary girl, hence, I have something to show to others as well. And I know that some of them are desperate to create a name in the industry. But before engaging to that gigantic world, they have to undergo a process in order to prepare them. As I have seen those talented people, I have thought of helping some of them getting the life that they want to; living the kind of life that they are passionate about. We earn while we have fun. So this is how my business will run: I will hold an open audition for possible artists that I will be managing. Let them submit an audition video. With the videos, I will choose some of it to be posted and promoted. I will put up a gallery-like website where I will promote different artists. If the clients want singers, dancers, bands and emcees, they will just scan to the page where their chosen performers will be posted. Together with the artists, are the said videos for a preview. After they have picked their choice, they will have to contact the manager which will be me. After negotiations, I may then contact the said artist or the performer and give them the event that they will be handling; the kind of event, the date, the location and the number of hours that they will be performing.

So that was my first techno idea, last meeting, we were asked again to walk around and think of another technopreneur creation or idea. On my past essays, I always give emphasis to my passion which is music. And when I say music, I really find it hard to think of something that would become a great technopreneur discovery. So the first thing, I love music so much. I love singing whether it is a Filipino song, English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. I love it. Now I always listen to different kind of music. And I love singing with it. Now my problem is sometimes I cannot sing with it, especially songs in other languages. That is why I came up with an idea of certain device or an mp3 player that automatically searches for lyrics in roman form because other languages have their own alphabets, so I thought of a device that automatically converts a certain alphabet to roman characters in order for me to be able to read it. I am not quite sure if this has already existing but I want to be particular that the device is only an mp3 player and plays only mp3 format files. It would be a convenient for me, as well as other music lovers out there.

The next techno idea I have though of is a device that tells if a mother dog is about to give birth. I had a past experience before where I have dog which was pregnant. But we were not able to monitor how she gave birth; the sad and crucial part for me was she ate two of her puppies. She had 6 but only four survived. I really felt sad because I also have this weak point when it comes to animals specifically to dogs. Now, I have another dog who is about to give birth soon, and I want to see her give birth to her puppies and of course, to avoid what had happened before, I want take good care of her puppies. Since she is my favorite dog, I want to be on her side when she is in pain. So what would this device do? It is a choker for dogs or dog tags to be specific. It would send a text message when the dog’s tummy starts to contract and if it is time for her to give birth. In such way, I will be aware of my dog’s situation and I will be there to witness and support her during the special day of her life.

The next thing I had in mind is a portable ultrasound. So why did I come up with this idea? My mom always talks about his huge tummy and tells us about the pain she is feeling sometimes. We often see the doctor for her checkups and it costs way too much and sometimes it takes too much time when we are on queue. Now in order to save money, I wanted to create a device for an ultrasound that stores up the images on it. Instead of queuing for how many hours, we will just have to show the results to her doctor and just have a consultation. In that way we will be able to save money and time. This will also be applicable for pets, like dogs so that we will be able to determine the number of puppies that we will be expecting in the future. And we will be able to know if they are pregnant again and stuff like that. It will be really helpful, for us pet lovers and for the veterinarian use as well.

Another idea I had, actually this was my idea even before I was enrolled in technopreneurship. I wanted to create a customer counter inside any fast food chains. So how did I come up with such idea? Well, it always happens to us whenever we go to any fast food chains or restaurants, especially during kunch breaks and snack time, where lots of people are queing and lots of people are already eating. I want to make a device that tells whether there is still vacant tables inside or if we should better look for another restaurant. Queing is no joke, the thing when you have to fall in line and end up wasting your time standing and waiting for vacant tables with a tray full of food. So this device will be placed outside the restaurant, when we see a red light, it simply means that the establishment is full and we will have to look for another. In that case, we will be able to save time and avoid ulcer.

There are a lot of technopreneur ideas out there waiting to be discovered, they are waiting for us to thnk about them if only we are open enough for changes and for great ideas to come in. Now,as a reminder for us to be able to catch great ideas, we should be patient; this is must not just for me but to all as well. In the techno world, you will not succeed instantly. Success in this kind of world is not reached just as easy as winning a raffle draw. Everything comes into a process. And this process may take long if you will just going to watch everything and do nothing. And not everything that put up will end up the way you wanted it to be. That is why I should possess great patience in order to succeed. The next thing is to be persevered; this is also a must have in every aspects of our lives. In any career that we are taking, we should pour our very best in order to succeed. Like what I have said, you cannot get anything by watching, you should do a thing in order to catch something. Even in our studies, we should be persevered in order to get good grades. Studying is one way; you will not be able to understand anything if you will just depend on what your teacher has taught you, you should learn how to understand your lessons in your own way. Striving hard is one factor that will be helpful for humans to survive in this world. That is why everyone must possess such characteristic. If everyone will have it, I am sure that there will be no more hungry people living in this country. The next thing is to be determined; this is very common among people like us. We tend to become determined enough to know what we want and to get what our hearts shout for. Being determined will give us directions on where we should go, leading to our greatest dreams. Next is be creative. Every each of us has this artistic skills hidden inside. We just have to let it and let it give us motivation and direction. You see, these are just some. We could be creative enough and unique if we do not close our hearts and our minds for great ideas to come. And through this, wewill be able to create something and contribute to the betterment and advancement of the world.

Starting and thinking of great ideas may be hard, it was hard for me at first too since I am not that creative when it comes to creative stuffs. I struggle a lot since I am not that into techie gadgets although I am fond of using some, I cannot see myself making one. Even thinking how to make the physical components of any device makes me scared since I do not know how to be crafty. Maybe because I just do not know myself that much. I know I could do something but maybe it is just not the time. I am hoping soon enough, I will be able to craete one greate invention.

Why do projects fail?

The second activity we did on our Project Management course was to determine what causes a certain project to fail. If I am to enumerate all the factors why projects fail, it would take us a day to determine all of it. Since we are now in our junior year in college, tons of projects and paper works are approaching. That is why it will be better if we could at least determine those factors and try to avoid all of those in order to accomplish any projects that may come.

To start off, I want to know when projects will be considered as failed. So a project is considered a failure when it has not delivered what was required, in line with expectations. So in order to succeed we must be able to reach and fulfill the project’s requirements, whether it would be in cost, quality and time. There are a lot of steps in a project’s procedure to follow. These steps will serve as the guidelines in order to achieve the success of the project.
As what I have defined on the previous article, projects can be in any form and on different projects, there will different factors that contribute to its failure.

These reasons are random and could occur on different kinds of projects:

• The wrong business requirements have been addressed

If your project is set up to deliver the "wrong thing," it may be considered a failure even if everything is delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality. This seems harsh. But if your project doesn't deliver what the organization really needs, this will inevitably negatively affect how it's perceived. This is why it's so important to conduct a thorough business requirements analysis.

Now, make sure to check everything before submitting or sending something like a project. This could be considered a huge issue, even though everything went smoothly but the project did not come out as expected, everything will be useless and it causes waste of money as well.

• The environment changes

If the business's needs change, then your business case can become outdated before you've actually completed the project.

Changes in the environment could be one of the factors, you can never tell what the company needs as time goes by and you need to review all over again about the needs of the company or organization.

• Lack of financial support

This is one of the most common factors that make a certain project at school fail. Not all students can afford the things that will be needed to support a certain project. Although there are alternatives, money is still considered as one important requirement.

This is one of the most common factors that affect the process of a particular project. When a certain budget is not enough to support a certain projects everything will be out of hand. The progress of the project will be temporarily stopped and it will greatly affect the given timeframe.

• Time management

This is also one common factor in failing in a certain project, like in my case, I am enrolled in several subjects and sometimes I find it hard to manage my time when all of the subjects teachers give tons of projects in one time, and end up failing in one project. Every student suffers on the same issue.

Since making a project is given a certain timeframe, we should be able to manage it. Finishing on time marks a big check on the objectives. I know that everyone has it, the issue of managing time. It is very difficult especially when you are into some extra curricular activities. I can tell that because I myself have issues like this before. But now I try to cut some extra activities and focus on some important ones.

• Poorly Managed

Lack of management from the head could be one of the factors as well. Even though you have the best workers in town, if you have poor management, everything will be a sort of trash, chaos and unorganized project.

The project is poorly managed. The issue of having poor managerial skills is an issue as well. When a certain manager cannot take responsibility of running the people under a particular project is a difficult problem to solve. Having a good manager is a must in order to achieve and obtain the objectives of a certain project.

• Undefined objectives and goals

This is when we do things in a rush. Projects may fail due to lack of planning and proper citing of goals and objectives. Projects fail when we do not meet the objectives given. So it is a must to plan everything before making a GO in a project.

When starting a particular business we should be aware of the objectives and goals of it. We should be aware on what things to do and why we are doing the things that we do. Sometimes having lack of awareness about the thing to be achieved can lead us to nowhere. Having clear list of goals and objects gives us directions on which path we should take for a smooth journey.

• Poor communication

Sometimes the issue is because of the miscommunication of the team members of the project. Sometimes the ideas of the members clashes with others and causes chaos within the group and end up ruining everything that has been planned for the project.

Misunderstanding and miscommunication between people is a bad thing; this causes bad arguments and disorganized team. With a chaotic team, do you think we will still be able to make a great project, or are we still be able to make a project? That should be the question to be asked in order to avoid stupidity and pathetic acts within team under a particular project.

• Too much pressure

Now, who loves pressure? No one, right? And being too much pressured can keep us thinking the right things to do. We panic, forget everything and end up in a disorganized situation. We are scared of pressure, I agree to that. I even curse it because it keeps me out of focused and makes me crazy.

Instead of being afraid of it, why not make it as a motivation? Use the pressure given to you as a tool in order for you to think great ideas in a short period of time. Adrenaline rush, I may say. I could hear some of my peers that they can think straight when they can feel the adrenaline rush over their body. Great ideas come, especially things that they did not expect that will be thinking.

• We depend on others

We wait for other to make a move. We grow too dependent on others and forget to have our own initiative. We tend follow on the shadows of other people. We let them control them influence us and tend to change our focus and points of view which sometimes causes the unexpected changes in the project.

This is a bad thing, I may say. Just like in school. We tend to forget about making our assignments and just wait for others and copy from them. When there are group activities we tend to rely on their ideas and forget that we also have mouths to speak and that we could add some ideas for the group. It happened to me before. I do not make my own assignments and I just copy from others, but I already learned my lesson and I try to make my own assignments and make my own moves through my own initiative.

• Bad decisions

Sometimes everything under the projects will go to trash with just a simple one bad decision. Even a simple wrong turn can cause chaos and tangled scenarios.

Let us face it, sometimes we make bad decisions over things and end up regretting. Let us keep in mind that making decisions is a huge responsibility to make, and we are the ones who will take the consequences on making it. We should be responsible enough and try to think thing thoroughly before coming into a decision.

• Stakeholder conflict

A certain company can sometimes end up in chaos due to arguments within the stockholders themselves. Because of the want to be on top sometimes, they forgot to think that there projects that will be affected because of their works.
I cannot relate to this but I am sure that this is one of the issues why some huge projects fail.

• Poorly defined roles and responsibilities

People on their places does not know what are their responsibilities and their roles as what they have as a title. Sometimes they tend to forget why they are given the title as manager or any higher ranks which sometimes causes disorganization and chaos.

When we are given a certain position, we should be responsible for it. Let us not forget that there people behind us that seeks for our guidance and directions. So we should be matured enough to be committed and responsible.

• Quality Control issues

Delivering bad products to the customer is a quick way to fail. Quantity and speed is nothing without the best quality a person could offer. Quality is indeed the best way to gain more clients and be successful in any projects you will be handling.

• Selecting the Wrong Project Manager

This is just the same with being poorly managed. Having great follower is such a waste if the person they are following is not really worth it. It difficult to have such great manager with great leadership skills that is why we tend to look for someone who only looks like a good manager but never really does the best way to improve or to help the people and the company he is serving.

• Setting priorities

This is one common problem within a certain projects specially when there are more things that are bothering the project manager. Still everything depends on the manager.

• Hidden Agendas Can Compromise Progress

This is a particularly difficult problem to identify and overcome. We all have unexpressed thoughts and concerns. We all have egos to protect. A good project manager with a high level of emotional intelligence will use their intuition to identify any unsaid needs and draw out any hidden agendas without alienating or threatening anyone.

• Unexpected changes in the project

This is one thing that is unavoidable when under a certain project. It is going to be wasteful, in terms of money, materials and time. Even though we follow certain procedure or plan, changes are still possible to occur and ruin everything, especially when the monitoring team is weak and not rally doing their jobs.

• Change of Scope

As what I have stated above, we cannot avoid changes. It is the only permanent in this world. And we cannot avoid the fact that the scope or the boundaries of our projects tend to change.

• Less effort have been given to the project

Everything that you make is a masterpiece. Now, if you will not put your all on it, it going to be a waste. Giving your all and putting lots of effort on a particular project could lead to the aspired success and achievement.

• Unrealistic timeframe

Let us face it, we are no superhumans. We do not have super powers to create something in an instant. We should make a timeframe that we know we will be able to make something and not make something just to impress. Let us be realistic you know.

These are just some of my research about the factors and reasons why some projects fail. There are a lot to know about it. The next thing I am going to open up is about my point of view about why some of my projects fail and how did I cope up with it.

The most common reason why some of my projects fail in my past experiences is time, financial support and laziness.

TIME

Time management is one issue. I mean most of us during the activity gave time as their reason for failure. We are given enough time but why do we fail to do our tasks. What could be the main reason why we tend to waste our time than making the things that we should do? Well, for me, I do not know. I just love to do things that is enjoyable than making tons of essays and end up mixing and scramble every word that I type. So I see, this is all about time management and setting up priorities. What do I do in a day? I love watching movies, playing the guitar and watching music videos over the internet. Make sense? But it is not just about what I prefer doing but it also happens that tons of projects with the same deadlines are occurring. It is difficult, right? I cannot hit two birds in one stone. And one more thing, I am still young I am still into games and I love playing. It is still about which weighs heavier. And it is hard for me because I am the kind of person who loves doing everything, even non sense things.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

This is the biggest issue among all. Money is really an important thing; money for the materials to be used on my project, fare, and food. There a lot of alternatives instead buying new stuff for the project but I cannot avoid spending to make it better and saleable. And sometimes there could be projects that really need funding and sometimes I am having difficulties in doing one. Like way back in my elementary days where we were financially down. There was one project that really I have to buy for the materials. I was crying because my classmates have already submitted their projects and I still was not able to start up. Good thing my teacher gave me another project in order to cope up with my grade. You know, we can say that money is not everything, but for me, it is really important and it matters a lot. Just like right now in college, I almost fail in our Field Trip and Seminar subject because I failed to pay for the travelling stuff.

LAZINESS

Who would not agree on this matter? Laziness is one great factor to consider. I am lazy, I confess. Youth nowadays are so into sleeping and sitting and eating all day long; prefers to play online games than into physical sports like basketball, volleyball and baseball. So why did I consider it as one factor that contributes to the failure? Simple, because I can see it in myself that I prefer sleeping than making my projects. I prefer pleasure than finishing everything before its deadline. I know lots of the youth today are like this.
When we had our discussion about this, Sir Gamboa emphasized that the main reason why projects fail is because of US, the people behind the project. It is not because of time, money or even laziness. It is us who controls, thinks and manages the project. So its success or failure depends on us. The factors stated above are occurring because of us. It is me who chose to be lazy when I could use my time wisely and be productive; it is me who chose to spend more money than be thrifty enough and use my creativity in order to produce great hand-made projects. It is us who chose to have high pride rather than be humble and try to keep an open mind for others to share their ideas. It is us who chose to misunderstand everything and it is us who chose to allow miscommunications get in the way. It is us who chose our project manager and make him lead even though we know that he or she is not that deserving and he or she does not possess such great leadership skills. It is us who fails to set our priorities right and it is us who failed to manage our time. It is us who chose and allow to produce projects with the lowest quality and it us who chose to be affected with unexpected changes and we let it control us rather than we control them. And it is us who chose and allow our projects to fail. You see, projects will not be called as projects without us people who manage it.

FAIL TO PLAN or PLAN TO FAIL

What is the difference between the two? A lot. Why do projects fail? Is it because we fail to plan or we plan to fail?
Fai l to plan. When I first heard it, I kind of agreed on the thought that projects fail because I failed to plan; since I know from the very beginning that planning is the most important thing to make in order to organize the process of making your projects. I was thinking maybe failing on making plans is the reason why we fail. Maybe the lack of awareness on planning causes the failure of a certain project. I myself do not know how to make plans properly and orderly. I rush things. I am not a good planner. But when the second thought came, it awakens my mind.
Plan to fail. Huh? Right then I realized that it is really us who made the failure and not those lame excuses. Again, it is us who made those stupid factors for us to fail. We use those excuses in order to cover our mistakes and wrong doings. Everyone knows how to plan, and planning to fail is one of it. We are the ones who chose and allow ourselves to fail in some situations that we are still able to make solutions out of it. We tend let failure beat us rather than fighting and aim for success. It is us. We are the master mind.