I've been the 'fixer' brought in to rescue projects more times than I can count. Here's what I've learned: the project usually isn't the problem.
Listen Before You Lead
When you walk into a failing project, everyone wants to tell you what's wrong. Let them. Schedule one-on-ones with everyone—developers, testers, stakeholders, even the intern. You'll be surprised where the real insights come from.
Find the Hidden Champions
In every troubled project, there are people who still care, who haven't given up. Find them. They're your allies in the turnaround.
Quick Wins Matter
You need to build momentum fast. Find something—anything—that can be delivered in two weeks. It doesn't have to be big, just visible.
Address the Elephant
There's always an elephant in the room—the thing everyone knows but no one says. Maybe it's an incompetent vendor, a stakeholder who keeps changing requirements, or tech debt that's crushing the team. Call it out. Respectfully, but directly.
Celebrate Small Victories
When a team has been failing for months, they've forgotten what success feels like. Celebrate everything—a clean build, a successful deployment, even a productive meeting.
The secret to rescuing projects isn't being the hero. It's helping the team become their own heroes.