PROJECT HEALTH CHECKS & PROJECT ENHANCEMENT

A detailed review of the status of a project to assess effective application of the project management methodology and to obtain key stakeholder views of the project performance.

The purpose of a Project Heath Check is to evaluate a project to determine it’s effective application of the PRINCE2™ methodology (or a tailored methodology), to determine the key stakeholder views of the health of the project and to provide advice for the Project Board, Project Assurance and the Project Manager on suggested corrective actions.

The process is as follows:

Part 1. An evaluation of the project to determine its compliance with the agreed project management methodology. This is conducted through an interview with the Project Manager to determine the existence and completeness of the project documents. Access is then usually required to the project documents to conduct the compliance audit.

Part 2. A questionnaire is provided to each of the Project Board members and Project Assurance nominees to determine the quality of content of the project documents and to elicit comments on the health of the project from their perspective.

Part 3. The consultant conducting the Health Check provides comments on the findings in Part 1. and Part 2. and develops, if required, written recommendations for suggested corrective actions. A feedback session with the Project Manager is a desirable, but optional component.

Occasionally a project exhibits symptoms of potential failure. These often include late delivery against milestones, budget over-runs, unhappy key stakeholders (including the customer) and stressed project manager and teams. The causes range from unrealistic expectations, through a multitude of difficulties including lack of planning, inadequate risk management, poor (or insufficient) communications, and sometimes problems with personnel.

Rational Management has developed a diagnostic approach that commences with identifying the symptoms and then tracking these back to identify the causes. In some situations a facilitated stakeholder workshop is appropriate, in others a facilitated project management team meeting is required. The deliverable is a report on the symptoms and causes identified and recommendations on the most appropriate treatment. Rational Management’s consultants have the advantage of being totally independent.