Get your project back on track
Practical, independent support for projects and programmes that are under pressure, losing momentum or no longer working as one team.
The challenge
When projects encounter difficulty
Even well-planned projects can run into difficulty.
Delivery may take longer than expected. Teams may stop working effectively together. Management expectations may become disconnected from the challenges faced by those responsible for the work.
Different people may have different views of what has gone wrong, with each team seeing only part of the problem.
How we help
An independent view of the project
IMA Consultancy provides an independent view of the project and the issues affecting delivery.
We listen to people at every level. This helps us separate the visible symptoms from the underlying causes and understand the different views across the project.
We quickly build an understanding of
- 01The original goal
- 02The true delivery position
- 03Leadership expectations
- 04Team capability and capacity
- 05Ways of working
- 06Technical and operational constraints
- 07Supplier relationships
- 08Risks and dependencies
- 09Governance and decision-making
- 10Communication between teams and organisations
Suppliers and contracts
Helping or hindering delivery?
We also consider whether supplier relationships and contractual arrangements are helping or hindering delivery.
Procurement and contracting often take place near the beginning of a programme. By the time delivery is under way, requirements, priorities or practical constraints may have changed.
The aim is not to weaken contractual accountability. It is to make sure the agreement supports the work that now needs to be delivered.
As part of a Project Rescue review, we can examine
- Whether the contract still reflects the work required
- Whether client and supplier expectations are consistent
- Where requirements have changed
- Whether responsibilities and dependencies are clear
- Whether formal contract changes are needed
- How the client and supplier can rebuild an effective working relationship
Bridging the gaps
Project difficulties can create gaps between
We help bridge these gaps by creating a shared understanding of the situation and agreeing clear, achievable actions.
- StrategyPractical delivery
- Leadership expectationsTeam capacity
- Business prioritiesTechnical priorities
- Internal teamsExternal suppliers
- Project plansThe true delivery position
- Formal reportingDay-to-day experience
The aim is not to assign blame. It is to restore the conditions needed for people to deliver successfully.
Six stages
Our Project Rescue approach
Stage 01 of 06
Understand
We carry out a focused review of the project. We speak with the people involved and examine the plans, priorities, dependencies and available evidence.
Stage 02 of 06
Diagnose
We identify the issues having the greatest effect on delivery and consider how they are connected.
Stage 03 of 06
Realign
We help leaders, teams and suppliers agree on the goal, the current position and the decisions needed.
Stage 04 of 06
Stabilise
We introduce practical actions to improve control, communication and confidence. Immediate priorities are separated from longer-term improvements.
Stage 05 of 06
Recover
We establish a realistic recovery plan with clear responsibilities, achievable milestones and suitable controls.
Stage 06 of 06
Maintain progress
Where needed, we can remain involved to lead or support the project through its recovery.
Warning signs
Signs that a project may need support
Project Rescue may help when:
Delivery and confidence
- Important milestones are repeatedly missed
- The completion date is becoming uncertain
- Teams disagree about priorities or responsibilities
- Leadership and delivery teams have different views of progress
- Formal reports do not reflect what teams are experiencing
- Decisions are delayed or repeatedly revisited
- Suppliers and internal teams are not working well together
- Risks and dependencies are not being resolved
- Confidence in the project is falling
- The project remains active but useful progress is difficult to see
Client and supplier relationships
- The client and supplier have different views of what was agreed
- Contract discussions are preventing practical progress
- Requirements continue to change without suitable control
- Supplier performance is being affected by unresolved client decisions
- Communication between commercial and delivery teams has broken down
Early support is usually more effective than waiting until the position becomes critical.
Start a confidential discussionHow we work with you
Independent but collaborative
A Project Rescue review must be objective, but it must also recognise the knowledge and experience already within the project.
We work with leaders, managers, delivery teams and suppliers. We provide an independent assessment while involving the people who understand the work and will help deliver the solution.
This creates recommendations that are