My article from a few weeks ago, Get Out of Project Hell generated a lot of comments from my readers.
So I decided to write a Get out of Project Hell – Part 2.
How Do We Get a Project Back on Track?
The questions my readers mostly asked were how to quickly and safely get the project back on track after it becomes messy, and how to ensure the right people are in the right roles, doing what they need to do right away.
Since I’m an avid sailor, I’d like to use a sailing analogy here. Here is me, about a month ago, flying a large sail called a spinnaker on a 34-foot sailboat.
A spinnaker is a lightweight sail which looks like a large balloon in front of the boat, to maximize boat speed when the wind is coming from behind the vessel.
There were five of us on board, but only two people, myself and the owner/skipper of the boat, who knew how to fly a spinnaker, and my experience was years ago.
So, in reality, we only had one person, the skipper, who was competent flying a spinnaker on board. Additionally, the rest of the crew lacked extensive sailing experience and flying a spinnaker can go bad quickly.
Smooth Sailing vs Rough Seas: The Secret to Staying on Course
We made the sailboat fly across the lake effortlessly. We pushed over 8 knots, which is fast for a sailboat.
The skipper of the boat gave incredibly clear instructions, and everyone knew what they needed to do. When the spinnaker started going sideways (which literally it does), we listened for instructions from the skipper to get us back on track.
If that correction didn’t work, we would figure out another course correction together. After a while the skipper just sat back and relaxed, letting us take care of the spinnaker trimming on our own.
Let’s compare this to the last time I flew a spinnaker. We had an inexperienced skipper, and the situation quickly became challenging. A strong gust of wind, coupled with crew miscommunications and a lack of clarity, caused the spinnaker to drop into the lake. It filled with water, destabilizing the boat and putting the entire crew at risk.
Now let’s flip over to managing projects.
Lost at Sea, or on a Project?
Who’s doing what? That always seems to be a big question, especially when a project is going sideways.
The skipper, as the project manager, diligently ensures that all instructions align with their understanding of the project. Each crew member has a specific role, whether it’s confirming project requirements, executing a particular deliverable, or supporting the team in an administrative capacity.
Often while trying to clean up a messy project, team members may be uncertain of their direction. Certain individuals may be best suited for specific tasks, or may need guidance from more experienced colleagues. Adding to this challenge, team members may focus on the wrong tasks.
From my first Get Out of Project Hell article, I received some thoughtful feedback that really highlights the struggles teams face when a project derails. One reader captured it perfectly with this reflection:
“I’ve recovered several projects and often it’s been poor project management. On one project the team knew what was important, but they had been told to do the wrong things.
They were working on stuff that unskilled people could do plus the stuff that they were working on wasn’t important and could be delayed.
On another project a major technical issue has been hit and sometimes this happens and it’s a matter of resetting expectations. The PM was chasing their tail trying to recover an issue that unfortunately couldn’t be fixed. Sometimes you must accept that something unexpected happened and create a new plan.”
Why an Experienced Skipper (or PM) Makes all the Difference
Whether it is navigating a sailboat with an inexperienced crew or a large technical interface project with unclear expectations, bringing in a seasoned (and sometimes salty) skipper or project manager will save the day. All team members will appreciate it and listen to what needs to be done.
Need a seasoned skipper to steer your project out of trouble?
Reach out to explore how we can help you navigate your project to success. Don’t wait until you’re sinking—experience matters, and we’re here to help!
With 20+ years project management experience, Barbara Kephart has led projects across industries like medical software, clinical trials, and cybersecurity. With experience teaching technical project management and stakeholder engagement, Barbara is dedicated to helping companies pivot, prioritize, and complete projects with Chief Project Officer-level expertise, project professionals, practical training, and hands-on management—without the executive-level price tag.