In project management, things do not always go according to plan and in some cases, this could lead to a cancellation of the project or even the removal of the PM that is overseeing it. As bad as this may be, it is not always the PM’s fault as some uncontrollable variables could render a project failure inevitable regardless of what a PM and the project team does to prevent that outcome. As the PM on the project or newly assigned to the project, here are the things you can do to correct the project and become a superstar PM that all executive sponsors want to have leading their projects and programs.
- Assess the Current State
A quick and thorough assessment of the current state of the project will help reveal:
- Completed tasks
- Remaining tasks and milestones
- Projects risks and existing issues
- Risk mitigation plans or lack thereof
- Rework and out-of-scope items
- Gaps in requirements
- Resource constraints
- Perform a Root Cause Analysis
A root cause analysis will paint a picture of how the project ended up in chaos and what were the primary contributors. This logical approach allows for complex issues to be broken down and analyzed to better understand why they caused major problems, and the solutions that need to be undertaken to ensure that a chance of reoccurrence can be fully eliminated if not reduced.
- Communicate your Action Plan to the Steering Committee and Stakeholders
After completing the root cause analysis, you must communicate an action plan that will result in rapid traction to begin steering the project in the right direction. Crashing – which involves adding additional resources – could be out of the question given the predicament the project is in and the unwanted increase in costs, so the best option would be to fast-track the project so that remaining tasks can be performed in parallel wherever applicable. Work with the project sponsors to prioritize remaining tasks that need to be completed and send out weekly progress updates to all stakeholders.
Communication of risks and issues should be a key staple of your weekly progress updates. Issues should be communicated out as soon as they are identified, and resolution plans should clearly indicate how the issues will be resolved, by whom, and the target resolution date. This will enable you as the PM to restore confidence on the project and showcase that it is on a path towards a successful turnaround.
- Take Ownership and Avoid the Blame Game
A superstar PM is a transformational leader that takes full control and ownership of a project and does not blame others even when the blame appears obvious. Win over your team by having their backs and avoiding public criticism of your teammates and stakeholders because this behavior chips away at cohesiveness and strong bonds that are needed to galvanize a team particularly when things are tough. Finally, resolve all team issues internally and offer praise to your teammates in front of the steering committee – this will serve as a strong motivational factor and will help rally the troops.
At PM Imperative, we cover the latest trends in Project Management and Product Management. As PM practitioners, we understand the value the Project Managers and Product Managers bring to each organization and that’s why we focus on the most practical strategies that Project and Product Managers can implement immediately. If you found this post useful, be sure to check out our latest book: The PM Imperative – Guide for Leading & Managing Projects, People & Delivering Value. https://pmimperative.com/shop/
About Author
