Rescue Services

I have jumped in to rescue a number of large complex programmes and projects. Sometimes in the role of coach, helping a struggling project manager, sometimes as a project or programme manager where I take over myself. 

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What I have noticed is that most troubled projects are not typically doing the basics. ( I have friends in the Special Forces community and they say the same thing -- the SAS or Seal Team 6 do the basics, but they do them very well.)

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Every rescue is different, and solutions will vary with the specifics, but here's just a few things to think about.

I also use the strategies from my  "High Value Projects" section and use the tools mentioned in my "Programme Governance" section (often stripped down to the minimum)

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Don't be afraid to ask stupid questions.

• People are often afraid to expose their ignorance. I ask a million questions, and some of them turn out to be stupid, but its amazing how many times no-one has asked about something that turns out to be key.

• Listen for "wrong notes" - when something doesn't seem right, ask follow up questions. Keep asking!

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​Manage risk and issues or they will eat you alive.

• Identify and kill off problems quickly and tenaciously. ​

• Identify any items that need the stakeholders or executive sponsor's help and partner with them to attack the problems jointly.

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Give your team a "win" early on.

Once you have evaluated the issues and set a new direction, pick something that the team can achieve as a first goal.

• Teams on failing projects often feel beaten up and demoralised, and failure can become a habit. It's important for the team to have early success under the new management, so find something that they can achieve and help them get there, and then be sure to celebrate that success.​