In the fast-moving world of information technology, projects often face setbacks. Even with careful planning, IT projects can encounter delays, budget overruns, and unmet goals. Should a project go off track, it is crucial to have a clear recovery plan. Central to the recovery plan is setting a recovery goal.

This article will talk about why setting a recovery goal is important and explore three basic possible goals: full delivery of scope, delivery within budget, and delivery on time.

Understanding IT Project Recovery

IT project recovery is the process of identifying and fixing problems that have caused a project to falter.

We are not talking in this post about the ideal situation where a project can still be put back on track to meet its original goals in time, budget, and quality. Here we are talking about the more damaging kind of issues, where it is no longer possible to fulfill the original project plan. The kind of issues where continuing “as is” may be damaging to the organization.

In this situation, the project’s goals need to be redefined with a focus on achieving the most possible value for the organization.

Why Setting a Recovery Goal is Important

When a project goes seriously wrong, it can be very disruptive. Everyone has ideas about how to fix the issue. No-one agrees on what to do. Lots of action, but few results. Meanwhile: costs are increasing, the clock is ticking, and the project results are still not being delivered.

A well-defined recovery goal gives the team direction and focus. It helps them keep their efforts on delivering the most value results to the customer or stakeholder.

Clear goals help project managers and the team to make good decisions on a day-to-day level. This ensures that resources are used effectively and priorities align with the agreed aim.

A clear goal boosts morale for the project team. It gives them a sense of purpose and a clear, achievable target to work towards.

A new goal provides the ability to measure progress again. As well as keeping the team on track and focused, it helps to calm stakeholders and customers as they see the new goal(s) being achieved. It also lets the project manager quickly identify any new issues and highlight these with the project steering board together with proposed solutions.

Possible Recovery Goals

1. Full Delivery of Scope

Overview

The goal of full delivery of scope focuses on completing all deliverables, features and functions as originally planned. The trade-off is normally in terms of increased cost, a time delay, or reduced quality. For customer projects, contractual obligations may mean that this is the only realistic option.

Benefits

Delivering the full scope meets the expectations of stakeholders or customers who are the ones financing the project.

Achieving the full scope should offer long-term value as all the expected results are delivered.

Weaknesses

For a project in need of recovery, delivering the full scope delivery will involve further investment. This could be:

• Delays in delivery of the results.
• Increased costs as the project team are committed to the project for an extended period of time.
• Opportunity costs: instead of working on a new, profitable project, the organization is still committed to delivering this project.

Best Use Cases

Projects where all functionalities are critical to success and cannot be compromised.

Projects with flexible timelines and budgets that can accommodate extended efforts.

Projects which implement a required customer service and the profit for the organisation will delivered by the service, not the project itself.

Situations where partial delivery would significantly undermine the project’s value and usability, or the reputation of the organisation would suffer dramatically.

2. Delivery Within Budget

Overview

The goal of delivery within budget emphasizes completing the project without exceeding the allocated financial resources. This requires a quick and decisive intervention as soon as the project goes off track, followed by careful cost management and efficient use of available funds afterwards.

It may also mean that optional or low-value results are cut from the project scope.

Particularly for internal investment projects, there may be no alternative to staying within the given budget.

Strengths

Staying within the given budget provides organizational financial stability.

Adhering to the budget can enhance stakeholder confidence in the project team’s ability to manage resources effectively and still deliver results.

Weaknesses

Strict budget adherence may require reducing the project scope. This means less value delivered by the project.

Quality may suffer as cost-cutting measures are implemented. This may have a long-term impact on the organization.

Focusing on budget constraints can limit the project’s ability to adapt to changing requirements or unforeseen challenges.

Best Use Cases

Situations where budget overruns would significantly impact the organization’s financial health.

Projects where financial prudence is a critical success factor for stakeholders.

Reseach and other projects of an experimental nature. These kinds of projects are highly unpredictable and cutting the project with the knowledge/results gained may be a better option than overcommitting the organization.

3. Delivery on Time

Overview

The goal of delivery on time prioritizes completing the project by a specific deadline. This is crucial for projects with time-sensitive deliverables or critical launch dates.

Strengths

Meeting Deadlines: Timely delivery ensures that the project meets its critical deadlines, which may be essential for market competitiveness or regulatory compliance.

Stakeholder Satisfaction: On-time delivery enhances stakeholder satisfaction by meeting their time expectations.

Strategic Advantage: Completing the project on schedule can provide a strategic advantage, allowing the organization to capitalize on market opportunities.

Weaknesses

Potential Scope Sacrifice: Prioritizing time may require reducing the project scope, leading to incomplete or reduced deliverables.

Quality Compromises: Accelerating project timelines can compromise quality, as there may be less time for thorough testing and refinement.

Increased Stress: The pressure to meet tight deadlines can increase stress levels among team members, affecting morale and productivity.

Best Use Cases

Projects with regulatory or compliance deadlines.

Situations where market timing is critical, such as product launches or competitive positioning.

Projects where delays would result in significant financial or reputational impact.

Recommendations for Setting Recovery Goals

When setting a recovery goal, consider the following:

Assess Project Priorities: Determine what is most critical for the project’s success—scope, budget, or time. This should involve input from key stakeholders to ensure alignment.

Evaluate Feasibility: Ensure that the chosen goal is achievable given the project’s current state, available resources, and constraints. Unrealistic goals can lead to further setbacks and issues.

Communicate Clearly: Clearly communicate the recovery goal to all team members and stakeholders. This ensures everyone is aligned and working towards the same objective.

Monitor Progress: Continuously monitor progress towards the recovery goal and be ready to make adjustments as needed. Flexibility is key to navigating the recovery process.

Balance Trade-Offs: Understand that trade-offs may be necessary. For example, prioritizing budget may require scope reduction, while focusing on time may impact quality. Balance these trade-offs to achieve the best outcome.

Conclusion

Setting a clear recovery goal is a crucial step in IT project recovery. Whether aiming for full delivery of scope, delivery within budget, or delivery on time, having a defined objective provides direction, enhances decision-making, and motivates the team. By carefully considering the strengths and weaknesses of each goal and aligning them with project priorities, organizations can navigate the recovery process more effectively and achieve successful outcomes.

To get expert guidance on IT project recovery, visit IT Project Recovery Services.