If you’re feeling like your project is spiraling out of control, don’t worry—you’re not alone, and it is salvageable. Whether you’re unsure what your team is working on, overwhelmed by new issues stacking up, or hearing negative feedback from stakeholders, it’s time to stop the chaos and get things back on track.
Here’s a guide to help you regain control, inspired by my own tough lessons as a project manager. Let’s dive in.
The Turning Point: My Personal Experience
I remember my first major IT project—a £2 million software and infrastructure upgrade. Halfway through, everything felt chaotic. I was called into a meeting by a senior business lead who told me, kindly but firmly, that the project felt “rudderless.”
I was embarrassed and stressed, but that moment became a turning point. The shame fueled me to turn things around, and we ultimately delivered.
If your project feels out of control right now, don’t panic. With the right steps, you can get it back on track.
Why Do Projects Spiral Out of Control?
When a project loses structure, it succumbs to chaos—it’s entropy in action. Whether the initial governance wasn’t strong or you’ve let things slip, your role as a project manager is to reintroduce order.
As I always say, your primary objective as a PM is to bring order from chaos. It’s a daily grind, but maintaining structure is essential for project success.
Steps to Get Your Project Back on Track
Here’s a clear roadmap to stabilize your project and regain control:
1. Clarify the Scope
- Revisit your scope and ensure everyone is crystal clear on it.
- If the original scope document is outdated, create a fresh summary—like a Scope on a Page—that’s easy to understand at a glance.
2. Take Stock and Be Honest
- Assess your project’s true status. Are you really “green”? If it’s amber or red, acknowledge it.
- Stop using smoke and mirrors to hide issues—honesty is critical for recovery.
3. Replan with Your Team
- Gather your team to review the current plan.
- Adjust milestones and critical paths while preserving the final go-live date wherever possible.
- If needed, cut scope, bring in extra resources, or shift deadlines strategically.
4. Define Roles and Ways of Working
- Assign clear responsibilities for each task in the new plan.
- Reinforce your ways of working—daily updates, immediate issue flagging, and regular alignment.
5. Engage Senior Stakeholders
- Share your true project status and the new plan.
- Ask for the resources or support you need. Senior leaders have likely seen red projects before—they’ll appreciate your honesty.
6. Reestablish a Project Working Group
- Hold regular meetings (at least weekly) to review your scope, plan, and milestones.
- Use this time to confirm roles, flag risks, and keep everyone laser-focused on the objectives.
7. Maintain Structure and Order
- Review your Scope on a Page weekly to prevent scope creep.
- Track milestones and rag statuses honestly. If something is amber, determine a path to green immediately.
Key Takeaways
Regaining control of a chaotic project is tough, but it’s achievable. Remember:
- Be honest with yourself, your team, and your stakeholders.
- Reestablish structure and focus.
- Protect your go-live date while adapting the critical path as needed.
- Stay engaged with your team and senior leaders to ensure alignment and support.
As a project manager, your job is to continually “pay the rent” on the project’s structure. By putting in the daily work, you can transform chaos into order and deliver successfully.
If you found this post helpful, be sure to subscribe to projectmanaverse.com for more actionable tips. Let me know in the comments: how do you handle projects when they go off the rails?
Until next time, take care!
Project Manaverse 