Blackberry’s Downfall Through The Lens Of Project Management

Abstract

Once considered the premier communication tool and a status symbol among executives, BlackBerry has since faded from its position of market prominence. This report examines BlackBerry’s decline from a project management perspective, drawing on secondary research from corporate records, industry analyses, and academic frameworks. The study [1]finds that rigid waterfall-style development, ineffective risk management, and fragmented leadership impaired product responsiveness and delayed critical strategic pivots. These weaknesses, more than technological limitations, contributed to BlackBerry’s loss of competitiveness in the smartphone market. The central takeaway is that in rapidly evolving industries, organizations must not only meet current customer needs but also implement adaptive processes that anticipate future market shifts. Strong leadership, effective risk management, and agile development practices are essential for sustaining long-term success.