Abstract

n this paper, stakeholder misalignment as a cause of failure in software projects is explored. Various parties such as clients, developers, project managers, and users have varying thoughts, objectives, and working styles when it comes to software projects. When two or more such parties are not on the same page or comprehending one another, the result is misalignment. This discrepancy can cause issues such as ill-defined project objectives, ill-defined or shifting requirements, inadequate communication, and inefficient utilization of time, funds, and other resources. These issues can lead to postponed projects, budget overruns, or even project failure. This research consolidates research articles on both Agile and conventional project management to identify why these issues occur and with what frequency. It demonstrates that obtaining stakeholder consensus on project objectives upfront, composing clear and complete requirements, maintaining frequent and open communication, and being capable of utilizing resources flexibly can prevent the majority of these issues. The article provides actionable guidance to project managers to minimize misalignment, enhance collaboration, and make projects more probable to be completed successfully, on schedule, and within budget.