When budgets are dwindling, deadlines passing, and tempers flaring, the usual response is to browbeat the project team and point fingers of blame. Not helpful. For these situations, what is needed is an objective process for accurately assessing what is wrong and a clear plan of action for fixing the problem. Rescue the Problem Project provides project managers, executives, and customers with the answers they require. Turnaround specialist Todd Williams has worked with dozens of companies in multiple industries resuscitating failing projects. In this new book, he reveals an in-depth, start-to-finish process that includes: Techniques for identifying the root causes of the troubleSteps for putting projects back on track audit the project, analyze the data, negotiate the solution, and execute the new planNearly 70 real-world examples of what works, what doesn’t, and whyGuidelines for avoiding problems in subsequent projects Many books explain how to run a project, but only this one shows how to bring it back from the brink of disaster. And with 65% of projects failing to meet goals and 25% cancelled outright, that’s essential information!

Table of Contents:
CONTENTS Acknowledgements xv Foreword by Tom Kendrick xvii Introduction xix PART I Understanding the Process and Realizing a Problem Exists 1 1 The Basics of the Recovery Process 3 2 Management’s Responsibility in PART II Auditing the Project: Understanding the Issues 31 3 Assessing the Human Role in Project Failure 33 4 Auditing Scope on a Red Project 49 5 Determining Timeline Constraints 63 6 Examining Technology’s Effect on the Project 73 PART III Analyzing the Data: Planning for Project Recovery 81 7 Determining and Initiating Remedial Action 83 8 Building an Extended Project Team 93 9 Considering Options for Realigning Technology 109 10 Assessing How Methodology Affects the Project 119 11 How Agile Methodology Can Assist in a Recovery 131 12 How Critical Chain Methodology Can Assist in a Recovery 157 13 Comparing the Relative Value of Methodologies PART IV Negotiating a Solution: Proposing Workable Resolutions 183 14 Proposing and Getting Agreement on a Recovery Plan 185 15 Dealing with “Unprojects” 205 PART V Executing the New Plan: Implementing the Solutions 213 16 Implementing Corrective Actions and Executing the Plan 215 PART VI Doing It Right the First Time: Avoiding Problems That Lead to Red Projects 221 17 Properly Defining a Project’s Initiation 223 18 Assembling the Right Team 231 19 Properly Dealing with Risk 239 20 Implementing Effective Change Management 253 Appendix: Files on the Rescue the Problem Project Web Site 263 Endnotes 265 Recommended Reading 267 Index 269