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Highland Ramblings



Zombie Projects and 5 ways to stop them

Zombie Projects, projects out of control

Every company that does project work - from development companies like Highland Software to designers, construction companies and home builders - has run into Zombie projects. Zombie projects are those projects that are never finished - they keep sucking money and resources ( "Brains! Brains!" ) from your organization. What is worse is that your organization spends her time fighting the Zombies, while the good, well behaved projects are left to fend for themselves.

Your customers hate Zombies too. No customer wants to see a project dragged out beyond what you told them it would take.

Here is the hard truth - you are to blame for creating Zombies - not your customer.

What causes a Project to turn into a Zombie?
Most projects start off looking like regular, non Zombie projects. You have a clearly defined scope of work which the customer has signed off on, and you eagerly start to work. Then, bit by bit, the project starts to sour. The customer asks for "just a few small changes". The item that you thought would take 2 days to do turns into 2 weeks. Someone quits or gets reassigned. Vendors don't deliver as promised.

Zombie Fighters
Project Managers are your primary Zombie Fighters. Their job is to spot emergent zombie behavior in a project and stop it before it goes too far. What are their weapons? Good project management tools to keep track of deliverables, budget and schedules. If they spot a project creeping out of control, they should immediately tell their manager and bring in extra help.

How to avoid Zombies in the first place
1. Smaller is better - Smaller projects with shorter timeframes are easier to control than bigger ones. If you have a big project, break it up into smaller chunks. Have the client sign off on each smaller chunk before starting on the next one.

2. Put it in writing - Clearly define what you are going to do, with the customer's signature. When you get a scope change request, tell your customer " We will glad to quote that for you, and let you know when it can be done."

3. Start at the very beginning - Timing is critical. If possible, projects should start soon after they are quoted. Revisit the quote if too much time has elapsed, or if there have been significant personnel changes on either side. Make sure everyone is on board before actually beginning the project.

4. Regroup and adjust - Sometimes the best laid plans go awry. Great project managers (like great football coaches) can spot tactics that are just not working, and readjust to changing conditions.

5. Common purpose - Finally, the greatest Zombie creator is an adversarial relationship between customer and contractor. Constantly remind each side of the common purpose you both share - to get the project done. You would not have started it if there wasn't some benefit to both sides if completed correctly.

Zombies are everywhere. I know - I have seen a lot of them. They are a constant threat to your firm's existence. If too many projects turn into Zombies, they will eat your brains and leave the corpse of your business to rot in the sun.

Don't let it happen to you!

Learn how we can help your organization gain a competitive advantage online!

The project was a complete success, and it was delivered on target and within the budget.”

Cindy Cline
Owner
DIY Pest Control