Why Projects Fail
Diagnosing root causes
- Determining early warning signs
- Highlighting key areas of concern
Applying project management concepts
- Linking failure points to the project life cycle
- Applying the five Ws to the baseline project charter
Structuring an Assessment Plan
Organizing an approach
- Focusing resources appropriately
- Optimizing probability for project success
Leveraging the recovery life cycle road map
- Structuring the recovery process
- Establishing a decision-making framework
- Recommending options: recover, pause or terminate
Analyzing Project Data and Status
Capturing the right information
- Identifying the appropriate data source
- Schedule
- Budget
- Quality
- Risk
- Personnel
Extracting data for analysis
- Interviewing individuals and groups
- Performing documentation review
Applying analytical techniques
- Interpreting existing documentation
- Performing Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) analysis
- Reviewing objectives for Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound (SMART) criteria
- Detecting trends in your information
- Observing and evaluating team dynamics, roles and responsibilities
Writing and presenting the report
- Stating the problem and determining options
- Securing a decision from the stakeholders
Adjusting the Parameters to Ensure Control
Refocusing the project team
- Ensuring correct team composition
- Bringing the team together
- Fully engaging the project sponsor
| Aligning product and schedule
- Determining minimum success criteria
- Establishing time parameters
- Estimating expected level of change
- Modifying quality as appropriate
Reestablishing project controls
- Validating project tracking and change control
- Implementing the risk management process
- Reactivating the issues and action register
- Confirming the detailed schedule with meaningful milestones
Accepting the recovery plan
- Confirming the completeness of the recovery plan
- Presenting the recovery plan to stakeholders
- Obtaining authority to proceed
Implementing the Recovery Plan
Effective control management
- Adhering to the schedule
- Tracking change, issues and action
- Monitoring quality to ensure product functionality
- Managing risk to maintain project stability
- Actively communicating project status
Monitoring team performance
- Diagnosing team status
- Maintaining positive morale
- Confirming resources are properly allocated
- Tracking team productivity
Proactively managing stakeholders
- Confirming expectations and acceptance criteria
- Keeping stakeholders up to date
- Insulating team from outside pressures
Applying Strategies to Future Projects
Establishing ongoing process improvement
- Continuous capturing of key learning points
- Updating your early warning checklist
Enhancing personal and organizational performance
- Highlighting key events to avoid future pitfalls
- Documenting benchmarks for improvement
- Articulating advantages for your organization
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