How would you proceed if project success criteria were loosely defined

Question

I've worked on projects where it's not really clear what success looks like, which makes it tough to know if we're on the right track. When goals and expectations aren't well-defined, things can get messy, and people end up confused or frustrated. If you've been in this situation, how did you figure out what really mattered? Any tips on making sure everyone is on the same page from the start?

Answer 1

The moment success metrics are not clearly defined, the immediate action is to get them defined so everyone knows what they are aiming for. This is how I do it:
Ask the right questions of stakeholders – How do we measure success? What are we really trying to change? How do we monitor our progress?
Set Definite Objectives – Suggest clear, quantifiable project objectives if not previously done.
Align with the Team – Make sure that everyone is clear and in agreement on success criteria to prevent misunderstanding.
Document Goals – Capture goals, schedules, and assumptions for convenient availability.
Check-in occasionally to make sure everyone is on the same page and headed in the right direction. Without the initial criteria for success, time is lost and frustration ensues. You must define them up front and everyone must come to an agreement.