As a project manager, I understand that planning is critical for project success. Planning helps to organize tasks, define responsibilities, and ensure that everyone is on the same page. Taking the time to carefully plan and consider all aspects of a project or task can ultimately save time, money, and frustration in the long run.
So, what happens when those plans go wrong? Every project manager knows that no matter how well you plan, things can always go wrong. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, plans fail. No matter how much time and energy we invest in planning, unexpected circumstances can arise, disrupting our plans and causing us to feel stressed and anxious. There are many reasons why plans can go off the rails. Perhaps the scope of the project changes, maybe the original plan was unrealistic, or there were other unexpected challenges. Whatever the reason, you need to be able to adapt.
It’s important to remember that planning is not a guarantee of success. Planning is a tool that helps us prepare for the future, but it cannot predict or control every possible outcome. When a project turns into a clusterf#@k, it’s important to take a step back, assess the situation, and reevaluate goals and objectives.
One common mistake I’ve seen people make when plans get off track is to double down on the original plan. This isn’t blackjack. It’s important to recognize when our plan is not working and be willing to make changes.
Another common mistake is to blame ourselves or others for the failure of our plan. While it’s important to take responsibility for our actions and decisions, it’s also important to recognize that some factors are beyond our control. Instead of blaming ourselves or others, it’s more productive to focus on learning from our mistakes and making improvements for the future.
Therefore, let me offer seven helpful tips for resetting and getting back on track when plans go wrong.
1. Remain Calm – Woosah! It’s normal to feel frustrated and overwhelmed. Trust me, I have definitely been there.. Take a few deep breaths to help clear your mind and focus your thoughts.
2. Assess –Take a step back and assess the situation. Ask yourself, where did I go wrong? What caused the plan to fail? Was it something within your control or something beyond it? How will this affect the project’s timeline and budget? By answering these questions, you’ll be able to identify the root cause and get back on track.
3. Adapt – Based on your assessment, it’s time to pivot and revisit the plan. Brainstorm alternatives. You may need to rework the project timeline, resource estimates and adjust the budget. Devise a new plan, shift priorities, and action items as needed to move forward.
4. Ask for help – This used to be a tough one for me personally. But don’t be afraid to swallow your pride and ask for help. Seek assistance and advice from colleagues, mentors, or professional consultants. Sometimes, a fresh pair of eyes may help to identify solutions and navigate roadblocks that weren’t previously considered.
5. Communicate – Failure can sometimes be attributed to a lack of communication or a misunderstanding of roles and responsibilities. It’s crucial to maintain transparency and frequent communication with all stakeholders involved in the project. Keep them informed of the situation and the steps you’re taking to address it. Encourage open communication and collaboration to ensure everyone is on the same page.
6. Learn – Reflect on what went wrong and why without finger pointing. Identify lessons learned and use them to improve your planning processes and avoid similar mistakes in the future.
7. Stay Positive – Remaining positive in the face of setbacks and failures is essential. We grow and learn from our mistakes. By staying optimistic and keeping your chin up, you can inspire and motivate yourself and your team to persevere through difficult times and emerge even stronger on the other side.
As Mike Tyson once said, “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” Planning is an essential component of project management, but it’s crucial to remember that plans can and will fail. When plans go off track, the ability to stay composed, flexible, and solution-oriented is what sets successful project managers apart from others. By implementing the suggested tips of remaining calm, assessing the situation, adapting, seeking help, communicating, learning, and maintaining a positive attitude, project managers can effectively navigate unexpected challenges, press reset and get their projects back on track.
