The phrase “zombie projects” is one that often gets tossed around in innovation labs: these are the projects that refuse to die, lingering on in the corporate graveyard, sucking up resources and time without ever properly coming to life. The irony is that most businesses know these projects should be laid to rest, but they often let fear, inertia, or a sense of obligation keep them around longer than they should.
So how do zombie projects get stuck in the corporate underworld? It’s because well-intentioned innovation and R&D teams, determined to make things work, often can’t bring themselves to confront the hard truths they need to hear — and that’s what keeps these projects alive, draining valuable resources.
We can’t just say to our customers, “Let go of that project already,” and expect them to embrace the suggestion with open arms. Innovation can be a tricky thing — and, if not orchestrated effectively, is fraught with uncertainty.
Even the most forward-thinking organizations can get caught in the cycle of under-performing initiatives because they’re unwilling to face the hard truth. That’s where an innovation management tool like Accolade becomes invaluable: it provides the data-driven insights needed to make those tough decisions with confidence, giving teams the clarity to identify which projects are worth pursuing and which need to be laid to rest.
The Fear of Failure
Failure is an uncomfortable word in any business. It’s often linked to poor planning or mismanagement (which can sting), and sometimes even to weakness (a double sting). But in reality, failure is the cornerstone of innovation. And yet, it’s the very thing that’s often avoided at all costs.
According to Wellspring’s Annual Innovation Outlook Survey, most businesses — around 85% — don’t have a clear and consistent process for terminating under-performing projects. This results in “zombie projects” — ideas and initiatives that should be buried but are kept on life support due to a fear of failure. The results are clear: companies end up wasting time, money, and energy on projects that aren’t yielding returns.
If we can acknowledge that failure is simply a step in the process, not a permanent state, we can start to make smarter decisions that yield greater business outcomes.
When we speak to new customers, there’s sometimes a sense of reluctance to acknowledge this fear, and it’s easy to understand why. Nobody wants to be seen as the one who “gave up” or made the wrong call. But here’s the thing: sometimes, the smartest move is to face the fear and let go. Just like in life, there’s no real growth without closure. If we can acknowledge that failure is simply a step in the process, not a permanent state, we can start to make smarter decisions that yield greater business outcomes.
‘But We’ve Already Invested So Much!’
This is the line that often pops up when you bring up the idea of killing a project that’s gone off track. The sunk-cost fallacy is a powerful force, and it’s one that we often see clients struggle with. It’s natural to want to continue investing in a project when you’ve already poured resources into it. However, the truth is that continuing to pour resources into a failing project doesn’t make it more successful — it just deepens the hole.
No amount of additional time or money will bring a zombie project back to life. And while nobody likes to hear it, if the data says it’s time to move on, we help our customers remove the emotion from the decision. That’s exactly what Wellspring’s Accolade innovation management software does — it provides the data-driven insight needed to make tough, objective decisions that keep our customers focused on high-potential projects.
The Innovation Graveyard
The “innovation graveyard” is the place where projects go to die, and it’s often filled with ideas that were never fully realized. You can’t always put a “success” label on every project — and sometimes, that’s okay. Failure doesn’t mean the end; it means learning, adjusting, and evolving. But the real challenge lies in knowing when to let go.
We see it all the time. Businesses that spend years pursuing an innovation or product that’s never going to see the light of day. They have their reasons: an emotional attachment to the idea, too many stakeholders invested, or simply the fear of admitting failure. But there comes a point when the idea needs to be buried. The irony is that real innovation happens when the clutter is cleared away. Once zombie projects are exorcised, the remaining focus and resources can be channeled into ideas with real potential for growth.
We all know that innovation involves a level of risk. However, taking risks without knowing when to cut your losses can lead to paralysis. With Accolade, our customers streamline the entire lifecycle — from ideation to commercialization — by using data-driven insights to make more informed decisions, accelerate time-to-market, and optimize product portfolios. This helps reduce the chances of getting stuck on zombie projects and ensures you’re always focusing on the most promising opportunities.
The key to successful innovation lies not in avoiding failure, but in embracing it as part of the journey. By recognizing when a project has run its course, businesses can redirect their energy and resources toward ideas with real potential. The data doesn’t lie — zombie projects drain the life out of innovation, but with the right tools and mindset, you can avoid them and make space for progress.
Letting go isn’t easy, but it’s often the best step toward growth and the next big breakthrough. Feel the fear. Do it anyway.
Chris Townsend is VP of Product Marketing at Wellspring.
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