Imagine you’re an emergency room doctor faced with a rush of patients after a major incident. You need to quickly assess each patient, determine the severity of their injuries, and prioritise treatment based on urgency. This process is called triage, and it’s a critical skill in any emergency situation.
Now, let’s apply this concept to project recovery. When you step into a troubled project, you’re faced with a similar scenario. There are likely multiple problems, some more critical than others, vying for your attention. Just like a doctor, you need to perform a “project triage” to effectively diagnose and prioritise these issues.
This project triage is essentially your assessment phase, and it yields two crucial outcomes:
1. The Stakeholder Management Plan:
Think of your stakeholders – the client, the project team, the executives – as your patients. Each one has different needs, expectations, and levels of influence. Just as a doctor needs to understand a patient’s medical history, you need to understand your stakeholders’ individual perspectives and concerns.
Your stakeholder management plan is your strategy for effectively engaging with these different “patients.” It outlines how you’ll communicate with them, address their concerns, and keep them informed throughout the recovery process. This plan is crucial for building trust, managing expectations, and ensuring everyone is working towards a common goal.
2. Prioritised Problem List:
This is your diagnosis of the project’s “ailments.” It’s a detailed list of all the problems you’ve identified, categorised by severity and impact. Think of it like a patient’s chart, outlining their injuries and underlying conditions.
Just as a doctor prioritises treating life-threatening injuries first, you need to prioritise the problems that pose the greatest risk to the project’s success. This list helps you focus your efforts and resources on the most critical issues, ensuring you’re tackling the root causes of the project’s distress.
Effective Triage for Effective Recovery
Just like in a medical emergency, effective triage is the foundation of successful project recovery. By understanding your stakeholders and prioritising the problems, you can develop a targeted and effective recovery plan.
Here are some key considerations for your project triage:
- Gather information from all sources: Don’t just rely on the project manager’s report. Talk to the team, the client, and any other relevant stakeholders to get a comprehensive picture of the situation.
- Be objective and unbiased: Avoid jumping to conclusions or assigning blame. Focus on understanding the facts and identifying the root causes of the problems.
- Use a structured approach: Develop a system for categorising and prioritising problems. This could be based on severity, impact, urgency, or a combination of factors.
- Document everything: Keep a detailed record of your findings, including your stakeholder analysis and your prioritised problem list. This will be invaluable as you develop and execute your recovery plan.
By mastering the art of project triage, you can confidently navigate the complexities of project recovery and lead your team towards a successful outcome.