How to Recover Troubled Projects

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It’s a project manager’s worst nightmare – deadlines have been missed, costs have skyrocketed, and stakeholders are growing anxious. Recovering troubled projects may seem daunting, but with the right strategies, turnarounds are possible. This article will explore methods for getting derailed projects back on track and delivering successful outcomes.

Table of Contents

Conduct a Post-Mortem Analysis

Before plotting a recovery, take time to understand what went wrong. Hold post-mortem meetings with the project team and stakeholders to uncover the root causes of delays and budget issues. Ask probing questions, gather data on problems that emerged, and document lessons learned. This post-mortem analysis will provide you with the insights needed to get the project back on solid ground.

Re-Assess the Project Plan

With a clear picture of what led the project astray, the next step is revising the project plan. Take a hard look at the original scope, timeline, resource allocation, and budget. Determine which areas need to be adjusted and re-baselined to establish an updated roadmap for completion. Be realistic about the work needed to get back on schedule and budget. Discover the diagramming templates from Miro that allow you to visualize revised plans.

Improve Communication

Breakdowns in communication often contribute to declining project health. Make sure your communication strategy is robust moving forward. Set up recurring status update meetings with both internal team members and external stakeholders. Create a centralized communication hub where the latest project information can be accessed. Send out regular email updates on progress and milestones. Overcommunication is key when bringing projects back from the brink.

Assign Responsibilities

Clearly outline who is responsible for which recovery tasks. Designate an owner for critical turnaround activities such as re-planning, resolving issues, and communicating with stakeholders. Document everyone’s roles and responsibilities in a responsibility assignment matrix (RAM). This enables accountability which is vital for getting projects back on track.

Focus on Quick Wins

Regaining momentum is crucial when attempting a turnaround. Identify some quick win tasks that can be accomplished quickly to rebuild confidence and progress. Completing small deliverables can have an energizing effect on the team. Quick wins also reassure stakeholders that the project is moving in the right direction.

Bring in Reinforcements

If the existing team is burned out or lacking certain skills, bringing in reinforcements can accelerate the recovery. Consider augmenting the team with specialists who can fill resource or knowledge gaps. Outside experts like technical consultants or project management coaches can provide a fresh perspective. New team members may have the energy needed to drive the turnaround.

Restructure the Project

For severely troubled projects, restructuring may be required. This involves re-organizing the work into different phases, stages, or milestones. Breaking the remaining work into smaller chunks makes the project more manageable. It also enables the team to focus on delivering value in stages versus getting overwhelmed by the entirety of what’s left to do.

Renegotiate Terms

If the original project scope, budget, or timeline is no longer feasible, don’t be afraid to renegotiate with stakeholders. Explain the situation transparently and present realistic options moving forward. Renegotiating the terms may require reducing scope or extending deadlines, but it’s better than failing outright. Get stakeholder agreement on the new parameters.

Celebrate Small Wins

As progress is made during the recovery, take time to recognize team achievements. Even small wins like completing a milestone or fixing defects deserve celebration. This positive reinforcement boosts team morale which is vital when climbing out of a project slump. Publicize successes and express appreciation to maintain momentum.

Turning troubled projects around takes rigorous planning, transparency, accountability, and tenacity. While challenging, project recoveries are very achievable by methodically employing the strategies covered in this article. With a concerted turnaround effort, your derailed project can get back on a path to success. Just stay focused on the end goal, align your team, and celebrate small wins along the way.

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