In Pictures: 20 surefire IT mistakes

17. Setting unrealistic project timetables

When planning IT projects, sometimes confidence and enthusiasm can be your undoing. An early, optimistic time estimate can easily morph into a hard deliverable while your back is turned. Always leave ample time to complete project goals, even if they seem simple from the outset. It's always better to overdeliver than to overcommit. Flexibility will often be the key to project success. Make sure to identify potential risk areas long before the deadlines are set in stone, particularly if you're working with outside vendors. By setting expectations at a realistic level throughout the project lifecycle, you can avoid the trap of being forced to ship buggy or incomplete features as deadlines loom.