Project Rescue

Diane DromgoldRNC Global Projects17th November 2011

Every project starts with an end in mind

Albert Einstein

“Insanity is continuing to do the same thing

and expecting a different outcome”.

But we get going

Business casesPlansBudgetsSchedulesContractsResource requestsReports

Everyone’s a hero! It will be different this time!

At some point people think there might be a problem

Ignore it

Hope magic will happen

Agree to say nothing

Someone does speak out

Not very effectively

Give me details!!

Only one question

Is everyone working on the same project?

Take a breath and step back

Then watch, listen and observe.

You’ll see and hear all you need.

Conversations and behaviours – not reports

When the PM says• They don’t get it• Everything is on schedule but no one is happy• They won’t let me• They won’t listen• There aren’t enough resources• The timeline is too short• The sponsor isn’t paying attention• I’m frustrated and feeling helpless• I’m not getting on with the sponsor – or the sponsor

isn’t getting on with me.• The paperwork means I can’t get the job done• We’re behind but we’ll catch up

When the sponsor says

• They don’t get it?• I’m not sure we’re doing well• I don’t have time to concentrate on it right

now• Don’t worry, I’ll deal with the Steering

Committee• There’s no need for you (PM) to come to the

Steering Committee this time• Don’t put that in your report

When others say

• They don’t get it• We’re on the wrong track• There’s not enough time• No one is listening• It’s a mess and I don’t know why other

people aren’t seeing it

THEY DON’T GET IT

Almost certainly there is a disconnect between

• the project the sponsor wants; • the project the stakeholders are

seeing; • the project the people are talking

about; and• the project the team is doing.

Not everyone sees the same thing

And this is where it gets tricky

When each stakeholder imagines the outcome – the words they use can be the same – bright, shiny, agreed time, even agreed budget. But they may not be seeing and thinking the same as each other.

Start here and ask

Who gets to say the project is successful?

• What will they be seeing?• What will they be saying?• Who do they listen to?• What will have happened?

Who is the real sponsor?

The PM Challenge

Guide, manage, clarify, each and every stakeholder so they are seeing the same thing; hearing the same thing; saying the same thing; and expecting the same thing.

(They may not like it but without it the project will need rescuing – or fail – it’s the single most important thing a PM can do)

“Seek first to understand; then to be understood”

St Francis of AssisiStephen Covey

How do you do that?

You and the sponsor agree on the outcome

Then go and standin the spotlight

Bring the people to the goal

Stand at the end of the project; look to where everyone is now and bring them to the goal.

Healthy Project Life

Keep everyone working on the same project

Keep everyone focussed on the same spotlight.

All questions and decisions and reports must be made in context of the agreed projected outcome.

Keep the focus clear – and if changes need to be made make sure everyone’s view changes too.

Albert Einstein

“I want to know God's thoughts

- the rest are mere details”.