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IT Project Rescue

Our consultants will apply our vetted and tested evaluation methods to analyze what went wrong. Then we implement countermeasures and corrective actions to steer the project back in the right direction. We have the experience, and we can share it – so that you don’t have to go through that steep learning curve.

Project Management

Is your IT project on track?

 

Managing an IT project is not an easy task. As if budget, personnel, and time restraints were not enough, many other factors play a role in determining success or failure. We have seen it all:

  •       Overstaffed projects
  •       Poor communication
  •       Changes in requirements
  •       Changes in specifications
  •       Mismanaged scope creep
  •       Financial overruns

Despite the best efforts of the PMO, projects often go off course. Did you know that only 2.5% of IT projects report a 100% success rate? An eye-opening statistic. Many project teams don’t have the right tools to deal with the challenges and problems they will face as the completion deadline draws nearer.

A derailed IT project is a painful experience for everyone involved. For one, it is demotivating to the project management team. Frustration and fear of failure can create a toxic environment that will magnify existing problems. As a company, there can be a significant financial risk in mismanaged or failed IT projects. It is a costly learning curve and a steep one.

Does this sound familiar? Before you write off your project as a sunk cost – let us help you bring it back on track. Our English-Japanese bilingual consultants will apply our vetted and tested evaluation methods to analyze what went wrong. Then we implement countermeasures and corrective actions to steer the project back in the right direction. We take the time to explain to stakeholders what went wrong, why it went wrong, and how to avoid future pitfalls. We have the experience, and we can share it – so that you don’t have to go through that steep learning curve.

Your project is not beyond recovery.
Contact us, and we will help!

 

Frequently Asked Questions about IT Rescue

Each organization and project is different and there is no general guideline. Our consultants will make an all-encompassing assessment of the project before making suggestions. Each organization has its own definition for a troubled or failed project. You need to decide if you are going through a bumpy patch or if you are facing serious issues that put the entire project at risk.

In most projects these metrics are red flags:

  • Project trending 30% or more vs estimated financial budget
  • Project trending 30% or move vs estimated time estimate
  • The project appears to be on track – however, you must postpone one or more major deliverables
  • The project appears to be on track – but the quality of the work has suffered to the point you are concerned with long term integrity
  • Customers are not pleased with the performance of the project team
  • The relationship between the client and the project team is dysfunctional

First of all, it is important to understand that project failure can happen; a project’s size can become overwhelming for the manager. Bringing in an outside perspective is the first step. Our bilingual consultants make an unbiased, objective assessment of the status quo. This includes looking at project targets, processes, controls, communication, reporting structures, budget, and team staffing. Based on this assessment our bilingual consultants can make suggestions and implement countermeasures. We will provide briefings to explain how the project went off course and how you can avoid it in the future.

We have four possible outcomes.

    • Able to turn it around and complete it successfully.
      Yes, we love this option too but normally doesn’t happen with a project that has gone off the rails too far. It will likely cost you more, take more time, and may have less functionality than you originally anticipated.
    • Create new success criteria and execute according to the new plan.
      This is one of the more common outputs. We redefine the scope and set new targets. The project is completed successfully. It is a compromise between the first outcome and the next two. 
    • Create new success criteria, execute – and mess it up again
      Unfortunately rescued projects can go off course again. Our consultants explain to the stakeholders what went wrong in the first round and how to avoid repeating the mistakes. However new circumstances can come up for which the team is not equipped. If this happens, our consultants will help again.
    • Project is terminated
      Some projects are too far gone to be rescued. Part of IT project rescue is to know when to abandon the proverbial ship and let it sink with minimal loss.