What do you do if your project goals don't align with the overall financial strategy of the organization?

1 Assess Alignment

If you notice a misalignment between your project goals and the organization's financial strategy, the first step is to thoroughly assess the extent and nature of this divergence. Take a closer look at the project's objectives and compare them with the company's financial plans and priorities. Understand the reasons behind the financial strategy and identify specific areas where your project does not conform. This assessment will give you a clearer picture of the situation and serve as a foundation for subsequent actions.

2 Engage Stakeholders

Once you've identified the misalignment, engage with key stakeholders to communicate your findings. These stakeholders may include project sponsors, financial officers, or department heads who have a vested interest in both the project and the financial strategy of the organization. Present your concerns clearly and seek to understand their perspectives. This dialogue can uncover insights into why the misalignment exists and help you gather support for potential adjustments to your project goals or the financial strategy.

3 Explore Alternatives

Exploring alternatives is essential when reconciling your project with the organization's financial strategy. Consider various scenarios where your project could be adjusted to better fit financial constraints or strategic directions. This might involve scaling back certain aspects of the project, altering timelines, or finding cost-effective solutions that still achieve the core objectives. Be creative and open-minded in this process, as it may lead to innovative approaches that satisfy both project and financial goals.

4 Propose Adjustments

Armed with a deeper understanding and potential alternatives, you can now propose adjustments to align your project more closely with the organization's financial strategy. Prepare a well-structured proposal that outlines the necessary changes, their rationale, and the expected outcomes. This proposal should highlight how the adjustments will benefit both the project and the organization financially, ensuring that it is seen as a strategic move rather than a compromise.

5 Implement Changes

After your proposal has been reviewed and, ideally, approved, it's time to implement the changes. This step requires careful planning to ensure that the transition is smooth and that all team members are on board with the new direction. Communicate clearly with everyone involved in the project about what is changing and why. Provide training or resources if necessary to facilitate the adjustments. Monitoring the implementation closely will help you manage any issues that arise promptly.

6 Monitor Outcomes

Finally, after implementing the changes, it's important to monitor the outcomes to ensure that they are having the intended effect of aligning the project with the financial strategy. Set up metrics and checkpoints to measure progress and impact. If results are not as expected, be prepared to make further adjustments. Continuous monitoring will not only help keep the project on track but also demonstrate your commitment to achieving alignment with the organization's financial goals.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?