Failure To Finish
Resolving software projects that never quite launch
Turn your stalled software projects into business success
Every business has them. Software projects that started with excitement but now sit half-finished. Maybe your team hit technical roadblocks. Perhaps your developers left before completion. Or the project simply grew beyond its original scope until momentum was lost.
Whatever the cause, these “almost done” projects represent significant sunk costs in time, money, and opportunity. Yet finishing them often proves frustratingly difficult.
At Durable Programming, we specialize in resolving the Failure to Finish syndrome. We take stalled projects and bring them across the finish line, turning aspiration into working software that delivers actual business value.
Why Projects Stall
Before addressing solutions, it’s worth understanding why software projects so frequently reach 80% completion but struggle with the final 20%:
Technical Debt
Shortcuts taken early create mounting challenges as the project progresses.
Knowledge Loss
Original developers leave, taking critical project understanding with them.
Scope Expansion
The project grows beyond initial plans, creating an ever-moving finish line.
Integration Complexity
Connecting with existing systems proves harder than anticipated.
Testing Challenges
Finding and fixing bugs in complex systems becomes increasingly difficult.
Shifting Priorities
Business needs change, diverting attention and resources elsewhere.
Our Approach: The Finish Line Process
We’ve developed a systematic approach to evaluate and complete stalled projects:
1. Deep Assessment
We begin with a thorough examination of your project’s current state – the code, documentation, and business goals. This gives us a clear picture of what works, what doesn’t, and what remains to be built.
2. Focus Definition
Together, we define the minimal viable version needed to deliver real business value. This may mean temporarily setting aside nice-to-have features to ensure the core functionality ships.
3. Recovery Planning
We develop a clear, staged plan to bring the project to completion, with defined milestones and realistic timelines.
4. Augmented Execution
Our experienced team steps in to implement the plan, bringing fresh energy while preserving the valuable work already completed.
5. Validation and Launch
We rigorously test the finished product and work with your team to ensure a smooth deployment and transition.
Why Choose Durable for Your Stalled Project
Finishing someone else’s work requires a unique set of skills and mindset:
- Archaeological Expertise: We excel at understanding existing codebases, even with limited documentation
- Technical Flexibility: Our team works effectively with various technologies and frameworks
- Pragmatic Approach: We focus on delivering working software, not technical perfection
- Clear Communication: We provide honest assessments and regular updates throughout the process
- Business Focus: We keep your original business goals front and center
Stop the Cycle of Delay
Every day a nearly-complete project sits unused represents lost opportunity and return on investment. Don’t let the resources you’ve already invested go to waste.
Contact us for a frank assessment of your stalled project and a clear path to getting it across the finish line.
Fast. Thorough. Durable.™