The Rescue Mission – Saving Your Project from Failure

A something a little different today and upcoming newsletters. I’ll be sharing with you a miniseries on Project Rescue, a topic that I very familiar with. Often, projects start with great energy and enthusiasm, only to face setbacks, missed deadlines, or unanticipated challenges.

In this three-part series, I’ll be covering:
– What project rescues and recoveries are all about
– Key warning signs that your project might be heading for trouble
– Practical steps to realign and rescue your project

I hope these insights from the 12 project rescues I have led provide real value and help you navigate any project challenges you may face.

I would love to hear how you’re tackling your current projects!

Part 1: The Rescue Mission

Let’s face it, in business transformations not every project unfolds according to the plan. Unexpected roadblocks, shifting priorities, and integration challenges can threaten the success of even the most well-planned initiatives. This is where project rescue steps in – a strategic intervention aimed at turning around a struggling project before it’s too late.

But what exactly does project rescue entail? Why do projects sometimes need rescuing, and how do you know when it’s time to call in help?

Defining Project Rescue

Project rescue is the process of intervening when a project is at risk of failure. This may be due to missed deadlines, budget overruns, misaligned objectives, or dwindling team confidence. The goal of a project rescue is to stabilise the situation, correct course, and steer the project toward its intended outcomes.

Project rescue isn’t about sweeping changes or finger-pointing – it’s a focused effort to identify the root causes of underperformance and implement practical solutions. Typically, a neutral party, such as a project recovery specialist, is brought in to provide an unbiased assessment and a fresh perspective.

Why projects need rescuing?

Even with careful planning and experienced teams, projects can go off track. Often, the reasons are multifaceted, involving a combination of people, processes, and technology. Here are some common triggers:

• Poor communication: When teams and stakeholders aren’t aligned on project goals or updates, confusion reigns. Miscommunication accounts for up to 56% of project failures, according to the Project Management Institute (PMI).
• Scope creep: Projects tend to grow in scope, especially when there’s a lack of governance or decision-making oversight. Without clear boundaries, a project can spiral into costly and time-consuming activities not originally planned.
• Sponsor issues: Business owner changes or unclear roles can leave teams without direction. A strong, decisive project sponsor is often the difference between project success and failure.
• Technology misalignment: When the technology solutions being developed or implemented don’t align with business needs, it becomes a costly distraction from achieving the project’s original goals.

The Role of a Project (Rescue) Recovery Specialist

Project recovery specialists are experts at diagnosing what’s gone wrong. They perform a thorough audit of the project, looking for inefficiencies, process breakdowns, and areas where teams are struggling. Once they identify the key pain points, they craft a recovery plan that involves prioritising quick wins to stabilise the project while working toward long-term fixes.

A recovery plan usually involves:

1.Rapid assessment: A deep dive into current project status, risks, and roadblocks.

2.Stakeholder re-engagement: Ensuring all key players are aligned on objectives and expectations.

3.Risk management: Identifying potential future risks and creating mitigation strategies.

4.Course correction: Implementing new processes, tools, or approaches to improve project performance.

By the end of the rescue mission, the project should be back on course, or at the very least, on a clear path to achieving its goals.

When do you need a rescue?

It’s crucial to act before a project is too far gone. Watch for signs such as missed deadlines, frequent scope changes, disengaged teams, or budget overruns. A project in need of rescue can still be turned around, but waiting too long increases the risk of full failure, which can come with costly consequences.

In my next newsletter, I’ll explore what to look for in a struggling project and how to recognise the signs that you need intervention.