Amy Fick June 2013 Project Management Institute

Contact Information:  Amy Fick   (605)  Please feel free to call if you would like information on what is presented here or if you would like to talk about a project headed for trouble.

 Recover from projects that are already in trouble  Managing troubled Projects  Prevent future projects from getting into trouble

“Its hard to remember that your task was to drain the swamp when you are up to your ears in Alligators.” Unknown

 A project is troubled when there is a significant project deviation: ◦ In at least on high importance objective/competing demand ◦ From at least one key stakeholder’s objectives  Project Deviations: ◦ Are differences in actual vs. target quality metrics associated with project objective ◦ Are significant when they exceed acceptable limits …describes, in very specific terms what something is and how the quality control process measures it. A measurement is an actual value. For example, it is not enough to say that meeting the planned schedule dates is a measure of quality. The project management team must also indicate whether every activity must start on time or only finish on time and whether individual activities will be measured, or only certain deliverables and if so, which ones.” PMBOK Guide – Fourth Edition pg 200.

 Stages to Recovery of Troubled Projects

 ABC D is a process for developing a compelling argument and negotiate a desired outcome. ◦ Attention, grab the stakeholders attention ◦ Benefit, show them the benefit of addressing the situation now. Be prepared to handle objections ◦ Close, gain agreement on the current situation and that action now is the right thing ◦ Done, is the actual delivery on the decision made

 Root cause analysis  Focus on realistic options  Common sense guidelines  Set your team up for success

 Re-Focus  Re-Calibrate  Re-Plan  Re-Baseline  Re-Start

“A stitch in time saves nine.”

 Traditional Waterfall Life Cycle

 Set team up for success, not failure  Small, steady steps forward  Reinforce positive behavior

 Effective Communication

Conclusion – Bridge Over Troubled Projects