A troubled project rarely fails all at once. Deadlines move a little at a time, the vendor and the business blame each other, users lose confidence and the budget goes on rework. By the time management asks for a straight answer, everyone has a different explanation and nobody can say what it will take to finish.
Kemlat reviews struggling projects independently and helps bring them back under control. We establish the project's real status, find the causes of the trouble and agree with all parties a recovery plan with reset priorities and a realistic delivery path. We then set up tracking and clear escalation rules, meaning an agreed route for raising problems to management, so the recovery stays on course.
How we work
- 01
Review documents and status
We read the contract, scope, plans, change requests, test results and key correspondence. We compare what was agreed with what has been delivered so far.
- 02
Interview the parties
We hear from your sponsor, project team, users and the vendor separately, so each can speak openly. We note where their accounts agree and where they differ.
- 03
Assess project health
We assess scope, schedule, quality, cost, risks, team capacity and governance. Where possible, we verify the delivered work ourselves, for example by testing key functions.
- 04
Identify root causes
We separate symptoms from causes, such as unclear requirements, a weak vendor team, decisions that were never taken or poor data. The recovery plan targets the causes.
- 05
Agree the recovery plan
We reset priorities around what the business needs first and agree a revised scope and plan with all parties. We also set out the decisions management must take, including whether to continue.
- 06
Track the recovery
We set up a tracking routine and escalation rules, then follow the first stages of the recovery with the project team and adjust where needed.
What you receive
Project health assessment
An independent report on the project's real status across scope, schedule, quality, cost, risks and governance.
Root cause findings
The main causes of the trouble, supported by documents, test results and interviews.
Recovery plan and priorities
A revised scope and plan built around what the business needs first, agreed with your team and the vendor.
Decision options for management
The options to continue, reduce the scope or stop, with the consequences of each.
Tracking and escalation rules
Progress indicators, review meetings and clear rules for when and how problems are raised to management.
What changes for you
- Management has a fact-based view of the project and can take a clear decision about its future.
- All parties work to one agreed plan and one set of priorities.
- The most important functions are delivered first, so the business sees value sooner.
- Problems reach decision makers while there is still time to act on them.
Where this service sits in the KEMLAT Method
Scope: The review is independent and based on evidence. It is not a legal opinion, so contract disputes should be referred to your lawyer. Ongoing project management after the recovery can be agreed as a separate service.
Questions clients ask
Will the vendor cooperate?
Most vendors also want a troubled project resolved. We explain that the review is about facts and a way forward, not blame. Where a vendor will not cooperate, we record it and work from the documents and the delivered system.
Can you tell us whether to stop the project?
We set out the options and their consequences based on the evidence. The decision stays with management, and the evidence behind each option is set out to support it.
Do you need access to the system?
Where possible, yes. Testing key functions ourselves gives a more reliable view than reports alone. We agree the type of access with you and handle it under confidentiality terms.
What do you need from our side?
A sponsor, the project documents and correspondence, access to the project team and users, and contact with the vendor.
What happens after the recovery plan is agreed?
We follow the first stages to make sure the plan holds. You can then continue with your own team, or with Kemlat managing the project.
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