You're caught in a clash between IT and finance over project timelines. How will you find common ground?

I know if they are working in the same organization there has to be by that very nature a common ground. I’d try to understand common ground first and then invite each group to look at the project differently.

Start by identifying each department’s concerns in resolving conflicts between IT and finances within the project timeline. Focus on shared goals and facilitate open communication in joint meetings. Prioritize needs and seek to indulge where possible. Create a flexible timeline with milestone buffers, and implement regular updates and feedback. Use project management tools for visibility Consider compromises if necessary.

IT infrastructure and team are the backbone of any digital transformations and are found driving every function's digital initiatives. Finance function owner plays pivotal role in managing their own digital projects and setting realistic expectations regarding the outcome and timelines, including consultations with IT and other stakeholders. In case of conflicts in relation to project timelines, function owner should work amicably to find reasonable solution or alternative for adhering to the project timelines, including re-prioritising the project tasks and working agile way. Continuous dialogue within Finance & IT and agile methodology adoption can work to resolve conflicts within short span and take a step ahead each time.

To successfully bridge the gap between IT and finance, the first step is to set up regular meetings where both teams can openly discuss their priorities and concerns. These meetings should focus on understanding each other's needs—IT should clearly explain the technical requirements and benefits, while finance should outline budget constraints and financial goals. Once everyone has a clear picture, work together to identify areas where adjustments or compromises can be made. This collaborative approach will help ensure that the final decision meets the needs of both departments, balancing technical capabilities with financial responsibility.

IT and Finance departments prioritize different outcomes: Finance focuses on budget, return on investment (ROI), and overall financial impact, while IT is concerned with technical aspects like software functionality, security, and scalability. To align these priorities, facilitate a dialogue where each department can share its concerns and requirements. Building mutual understanding is crucial for developing compromises and effective solutions.

After assessing the needs, it's crucial to establish clear priorities. Identify the essential requirements for each department that must be met. With these non-negotiables in mind, develop a detailed project plan to guide a collaborative approach, ensuring that the project stays on track and meets its deadlines.

The critical path defines the project timeline. Unless IT or Finance can influence the critical path of the project, their wishes are merely suggestive.

Communication is the foundation for resolving conflicts and finding common ground. Communication goals should be to identify the root cause, align expectations, facilitate collaboration, and build trust. Communication serves as the cornerstone that enables the other strategies to be effective.

Get the decision makers together and obtain by-in. Find the common goal and understand what obstacles there are - and work through them as a team

Effective communication is crucial for resolving conflicts. Both the IT and Finance teams need to collaborate closely to understand how their misunderstandings affect the company's overall goals. Providing regular updates on shared software can enhance transparency, ensuring that both departments stay aligned on the project's progress and any changes to the timeline.

Exploring alternative solutions that satisfy both parties is crucial. If the IT team is overwhelmed, consider rolling out key features in phases to manage the workload more effectively. Alternatively, assigning a dedicated resource to focus solely on the project can help meet deadlines without impacting other tasks. Foster creativity and openness to suggestions from both sides, as this can lead to innovative solutions for overcoming timeline challenges.

If the IT team is overwhelmed then perhaps the project isn't for you, you could outsource but knowing profit margins then this might be a bridge too far for your company size, taking on more than you can cope with is a dangerous position not just financially but reputationally as well. If you have another company with whom you have a strong relationship them maybe consider a partnership as a JV for this one project?

It is imperative to understand the impact of missing the target timeline, based on that date and if any flexibility is available the teams can work on achieving a mutual date whether that is existing or new. It may require re negotiations with the project leader if features can be cut and shipped later, or double up resources if the budget allows it to achieve the ship date.

I try and get teams interspersed,so that each member of the team already has insight to other departments stresses. And aninternal SWOT analysis can also help.

If you’re in that position, which I’d not unusual, then something has already gone wrong. Always better to get it right than get it quicker or compromised to a point where money will be wasted achieving something as opposed to the right thing. Examine the original priorities and benefits, are they still aligned, do you need to back track, change track or cancel? Open and honest dialogue with all stakeholders is required to decide if real benefit is possible under constrained circumstances with some flexibility on both sides, or if greater benefit would come from a re-direction of the funding and a fully funded project later down the line. So many things start with I need x, we’ve only got Y, do it anyway! This rarely ends well.

Meet away from the work environment. People feel pressurised to act in a certain way when senior management are lurking around. Find the common goal