What does the concept of 'starvation' in project termination refer to?

The concept of 'starvation' in project termination refers specifically to delaying project progress until resources become available. This situation occurs when a project is not actively executed or completed due to a lack of necessary resources such as funding, personnel, or materials. Instead of outright terminating the project, the organization chooses to pause and wait for the right conditions to resume work. This strategy can be seen as a way to manage resources efficiently, especially when stakes are involved and a project still holds potential value.

In this context, the focus is on the idea of holding a project's progress in limbo while waiting for external factors to change, rather than a complete cessation of all project activities or the full termination of funding. Unlike outright termination, where projects are completely abandoned, starvation allows the project to potentially restart when circumstances improve. It is crucial in project management to recognize this strategy, as it can affect planning, team morale, and stakeholder communications.