Alright, let’s say you’re called in to rescue a project that’s gone off the rails. Think of yourself as a doctor rushing into the emergency room. What’s the first thing you do? You assess the patient, right? You don’t just start throwing treatments around without figuring out what’s actually wrong.
That’s exactly what this high-level methodology is all about. It’s a structured approach to getting a troubled project back on its feet. And it all starts with a thorough assessment.
Now, this assessment needs to be a bit of a balancing act. You need to be quick and decisive, like a surgeon making a critical incision. But you also need to be thorough and deliberate, like a detective carefully examining every clue. And most importantly, you need to “stop digging” – meaning, don’t let the situation get any worse while you’re figuring things out.
Think of it like this: you’re trying to put out a fire in a burning building. You don’t want to rush in blindly and risk getting trapped, but you also don’t want to stand around and let the whole place burn down. You need to find that sweet spot where you’re acting quickly but also strategically.
But here’s the twist: it’s not just about fixing the technical problems. You also need to be a master of the “political game.” Think of the stakeholders – the client, the project team, the executives – as different factions vying for power. Your job is to win their trust and confidence, to get them on your side.
Why is that so important? Because perception is reality. If people believe that you’re in control, that you have a plan, and that you’re making progress, they’ll give you the time and space you need to actually fix the problem. Sometimes, just showing them that you understand the gravity of the situation and that you’re tracking things closely can be enough to buy you some breathing room.
So, to sum it up, this high-level methodology is about:
- Assessing the situation quickly, decisively, and thoroughly.
- Developing a recovery plan that addresses both the technical and political challenges.
- Getting everyone on board with the plan.
- Executing the plan with precision and adaptability.
- And finally, if you have time, teaching the team how to avoid making the same mistakes in the future.
It’s a simple framework, but it’s packed with powerful concepts that can make all the difference in a Program Recovery situation