Server platforms Toolkit

Take control with these firefighter strategies

Shelley Doll Builder.com

Published: 13 Sep 2002 22:04 BST

Taking over a failing project is tricky because you start out with the cards stacked against you. Not only are you expected to succeed where others failed, but you have to bring a problem situation back to normal before moving ahead. The client is usually unhappy, and so is the team you're taking over. These projects tend to have high visibility by the time you get there, so everyone will be watching you.

I should know. For years, I was considered my company's firefighter. I got all the unhappy clients, and my job was to clean up other people's messes. Along the way, I picked up some helpful hints that made turning crisis into success a lot easier.

Test the waters

Before doing anything else, quickly assess the situation:

Take the time to read through all available project documentation, and find one or two people who can help you determine how closely it resembles reality.
Find out who the project drivers are and interview them about their perception of the project's history and intentions. Ask about their expectations, and get their definition of success.
Talk to the team. Learn what they consider to be their strengths and weaknesses, and what they see as their role in the project.
Review the code, database, and any other existing elements. Get current status reports on each element.
Become familiar with standard processes and conventions. When a project is in full swing, it may be less detrimental to use existing methodologies than to implement your own.
Document as you go. This will help you target problem areas and give the client a foundation upon which to gauge your progress.

After completing these steps, you should have a good idea of the problems you face. Next you must find a way to overcome them.

Have confidence in the solution

For most struggling projects, it isn't necessary or possible to scrap things and start over. The business drivers signed off on a solution, and you must show faith in their decision. It's your responsibility to inform the client when a better alternative exists, but don't be surprised if your idea is dismissed quickly.

Coming in blind, you have no idea what baggage comes with the project. You could easily find yourself in a situation in which money has been invested in a specific solution to a problem. Whether you've got a better way or not, you may be forced to follow the plan in hand.

There are exceptions, though. If you've been brought on board to get a failing project back on track, you may have more flexibility. But whether you follow your plan or an existing one, you must never waver in your confidence to succeed. If you do, the people that hired you will immediately lose faith in your ability to come through for them, and you'll have made your life a lot harder.

You have to play the diplomat at all times and do whatever you can to salvage the project. This includes managing the client's expectations.