Strategic alignment in project management can be a persistent challenge for several reasons:

1. **Lack of Clear Objectives**: Projects often lack clear and well-communicated objectives that align with the organization's overall strategy. This ambiguity can lead to misdirection and misalignment among team members.

2. **Change in Organizational Strategy**: Organizations may frequently change their strategic goals or priorities due to market conditions, technological advancements, or leadership changes. Projects that were previously aligned may become misaligned as strategies shift.

3. **Poor Communication**: Effective communication between project teams and organization leadership is crucial for understanding strategic objectives. A breakdown in communication can cause teams to lose sight of how their work contributes to broader goals.

4. **Resource Allocation**: Sometimes, projects receive inappropriate or inadequate resources, limiting their ability to achieve strategic alignment. If key resources are diverted away from high-priority projects, misalignment can occur.

5. **Stakeholder Engagement**: Engaging the right stakeholders and understanding their needs and expectations is vital for alignment. If stakeholders are not involved in the project planning and execution phases, their insights may be overlooked, leading to misalignment.

6. **Cultural Barriers**: Organizational culture can play a significant role in strategic alignment. If the culture does not support collaborative efforts or agile adaptations to strategic goals, alignment can be difficult.

7. **Focus on Short-Term Outcomes**: There can be a tendency to prioritize short-term results over long-term strategic objectives. This short-sightedness can lead projects away from contributing to the organization's overall strategy.

8. **Complexity of Projects**: Large and complex projects may involve multiple teams or departments, making it harder to keep everyone aligned. The more complex the project, the greater the challenge in ensuring that all parts are working toward common strategic goals.

Addressing these challenges requires consistent effort, effective communication, and adaptable project management practices to ensure that projects remain aligned with the organization's strategic objectives. 

Would you like to explore specific strategies for improving strategic alignment in project management?