Okay, let’s talk about a crucial skill for any Program Recovery Manager: delegation. You might be thinking, “Hang on, I’m brought in to fix this mess, shouldn’t I be the one doing all the heavy lifting?” Well, not exactly.

Think of yourself as a master chef leading a team in a busy kitchen. You wouldn’t try to chop every vegetable, stir every sauce, and plate every dish yourself, would you? You’d delegate tasks to your sous chefs and line cooks, each with their own area of expertise.

Similarly, in a Program Recovery, you need to delegate effectively. One area where this is particularly important is in creating that detailed resource tracking spreadsheet we talked about earlier. This spreadsheet, with its granular, day-by-day task allocation, is essential for effective recovery, but let’s be honest, it can be a beast to create.

Now, you might be tempted to lock yourself in a room and painstakingly fill out every cell yourself. But that would be a mistake. Remember, you’re not just a project manager; you’re a leader. And a good leader knows how to delegate and empower their team.

Here’s how to approach this delegation:

• Identify your team leaders: Who are the individuals responsible for different areas of the project? These are your sous chefs, the ones who have the most intimate knowledge of their specific domains.
• Provide clear instructions: Explain the purpose of the spreadsheet, the level of detail required, and the format you expect. Think of it like providing a recipe to your cooks, ensuring they have all the ingredients and instructions they need.
• Offer support and guidance: Be available to answer questions, clarify doubts, and provide feedback. Your team leaders might need some initial hand-holding, but with your guidance, they’ll quickly get the hang of it.
• Review and refine: Once the team leaders have completed their sections, review their work to ensure consistency and accuracy. Think of it like a final taste test before serving the dish, making sure everything is seasoned and cooked to perfection.

Now, you might be dealing with a smaller team where delegation seems less feasible. Even then, involve your team as much as possible. Perhaps you take on the initial structure of the spreadsheet, but they fill in the details for their specific tasks. This shared ownership not only lightens your workload but also fosters a sense of responsibility and collaboration within the team.

Delegation isn’t just about saving you time and effort; it’s about empowering your team. It shows them that you trust their abilities, that you value their input, and that you’re all in this together. And that, my friend, is a recipe for a successful project recovery.