mismanage

Mismanage is a transitive verb meaning to handle or administer something poorly or incompetently, often resulting in inefficiency, waste, or loss. It is used to describe actions taken in business, government, or personal affairs. The term can refer to ongoing practices or a single decision that undermines an initiative.

Common objects of mismanagement include finances, projects, programs, resources, or personnel. Examples: a manager who mismanages funds, a project that is mismanaged from planning to execution, or a city agency that mismanages public works.

Causes include inadequate planning, insufficient oversight, misaligned incentives, poor communication, or lack of expertise. Consequences include delays, cost overruns, reduced quality, reputational damage, or legal exposure.

In practice, addressing mismanagement often requires clearer governance, stronger oversight, better planning, and accountability measures. The term is commonly contrasted with mismanagement or mishandling to describe more systematic or episodic failures.