Getting Your Project Back on Track

First things first, let's be real: When a project blows its budget, it's almost impossible to magically get back under that original number without some serious adjustments to both the budget and the scope. And when a project starts falling behind schedule, there could be a whole bunch of reasons why. A good old-fashioned audit might be needed to dig deeper and find out what's really going on.

Talk to Your Team

Have one-on-one chats with everyone involved. Encourage open and honest communication, but try to steer clear of the blame game. Ask each team member how they would fix the delays. People are often more comfortable offering solutions than pointing fingers, and this can give you valuable clues about where the problems lie. From my experience, the most common issue is an imbalance of resources and a reluctance (or sometimes inability) to step outside of assigned roles.

Flexibility is Key

In my view, true agility lies in the team's adaptability. As a PM, I've done it all – written user stories, tested new features, squashed bugs, configured systems, even drawn up wireframes. I don't expect anyone on my team to do something I wouldn't be willing to do myself (unless it requires some special knowledge I don't have).

Check the Retro Notes

Dig into the notes from past sprint retrospectives; they're a goldmine of insights. If you're looking at an Agile project and there are no notes or action items from previous retrospectives, that's a red flag. Retrospectives are all about continuous improvement, and they're critical for successful projects. Those notes can tell you a lot about where the team thought they were doing well, where they could improve, and what needed to change.

Talk to the Stakeholders

Consult with the Product Owner and stakeholders to gather their perspectives on the flow of information from the project team, the efficiency of approval processes and business communication, and their own level of involvement in project ceremonies.

Put it All Together

All this information will help you pinpoint where the project needs more flexibility or resources. Make the necessary adjustments, and you'll be well on your way to getting things back on track. Remember, throwing more resources at a problem isn't always the answer. It's about finding the right balance and making sure everyone is working together effectively.