What do you do if your project is veering off track?

1 Assess Reality

Begin by taking a hard look at the current state of the project. Evaluate the project's progress against the timeline, budget, and scope. Identify the specific areas where the project is deviating from the plan. It could be a technical hurdle, a resource constraint, or a change in stakeholder expectations. Understanding the root cause of the deviation is crucial for determining the next steps. This assessment will help you create an accurate picture of the project's health and provide a foundation for making informed decisions.

2 Engage Stakeholders

Once you have a clear understanding of the issues, communicate with stakeholders. These are the individuals or groups with an interest in the project's outcome, such as clients, team members, and sponsors. Share the challenges the project is facing and solicit their input. This engagement is valuable because stakeholders often offer different perspectives and solutions that you might not have considered. Their buy-in is also essential for any changes that need to be implemented to get the project back on track.

3 Revisit Objectives

Revisiting the project's objectives is essential to ensure that any corrective measures align with the initial goals. Sometimes, projects veer off track because the objectives were not clear or realistic from the start. By revisiting and possibly redefining them, you can ensure that the project remains relevant and valuable to the stakeholders. This may involve some tough decisions, like deprioritizing certain features or extending deadlines, but these actions can be necessary for the project's success.

4 Adjust Plans

With a revised set of objectives, it's time to adjust your project plans accordingly. This could involve reassigning tasks, reallocating resources, or revising timelines. The key is to be flexible yet realistic about what can be achieved given the new circumstances. Make sure that the new plan is detailed and leaves no room for ambiguity. Clear communication of these adjustments to your team ensures that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities moving forward.

5 Implement Changes

After adjusting the plans, it's crucial to implement the changes swiftly and effectively. This might require retraining team members, adopting new tools or methodologies, or enforcing stricter project management controls. Whatever the changes entail, monitor their impact closely to ensure they are moving the project in the right direction. It's also important to maintain transparency with stakeholders throughout this process by providing regular updates on progress and any further adjustments that may be needed.

6 Monitor Progress

Finally, after implementing changes, continuously monitor the project's progress to ensure it stays on track. Set up regular check-ins with your team to discuss any issues promptly. Use project management tools to track progress and identify any potential risks before they become major issues. This proactive approach will help you maintain control over the project's trajectory and increase its chances for a successful completion within the desired parameters.

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?