Recognising a RunawayRecognising a Runaway

David Marsh David Marsh M-M-P.co.ukM-M-P.co.uk

AgendaAgenda

What is a runawayWhat is a runaway What are the reasons for a What are the reasons for a

runawayrunaway What are the symptomsWhat are the symptoms What can you do about itWhat can you do about it ConclusionsConclusions

What is a Runaway?What is a Runaway?

CostCost TimeTime DeliverablesDeliverables SCOPESCOPE

What are the reasons for a What are the reasons for a RunawayRunaway Who’s project is it anywayWho’s project is it anyway What's the Business Case got to What's the Business Case got to

with it?with it? Cone of UncertaintyCone of Uncertainty Delivery of a project not Delivery of a project not thethe project project Is it management or technicalIs it management or technical BIG BANG - Never works!!!!!BIG BANG - Never works!!!!!

What are the SymptomsWhat are the Symptoms

Control documents out of dateControl documents out of date Roles understood not understoodRoles understood not understood Managing the project deliverables Managing the project deliverables

rather than the projectrather than the project Monitoring the plan not the Monitoring the plan not the

business casebusiness case Uncertainty not reducingUncertainty not reducing

What can you do about it ?What can you do about it ? We never have time to do it right - We never have time to do it right - but we but we

always have to find time to put it rightalways have to find time to put it right PreventionPrevention

• Review project progress as well as deliverablesReview project progress as well as deliverables• Understand and use the control processes Understand and use the control processes

• Audit the aboveAudit the above CureCure

• Moratorium and or ReviewMoratorium and or Review• Get control of the project first - the deliverables lastGet control of the project first - the deliverables last

SummarySummary

All projects can run awayAll projects can run away All projects All projects will runway if youwill runway if you::

• Ignore the cone of uncertaintyIgnore the cone of uncertainty• Fail to use the control processesFail to use the control processes• Manage the deliverables not the Manage the deliverables not the

projectproject• Fail to get the business to own the Fail to get the business to own the

projectproject