Underestimating the impact of maintenance overhead can lead to costly surprises down the line. Running tests on a single device initially may not fully capture all the nuances and variations that can break a test, leading to rework and delays. Not leveraging full automation capabilities, such as continuous integration servers, can also hinder efficiency and productivity. Losing track of project status and communication among team members are common pitfalls that can derail even successful projects. It's essential to address these challenges early on to ensure the success of a test automation project. Effective maintenance planning, diverse testing on multiple devices, automation of repetitive tasks, regular project status updates, and efficient communication are all crucial to avoiding sabotage in test automation projects.