PROJECT SWAT

Plainwrap Solutions will give you that objective point of view to get your project back on track. We'll determine what's wrong, give you a blueprint to fix it, and roll up our sleeves and pitch in to get it done.

Fixing What's Wrong

It may seem that everything has gone wrong with your project. Actually, we have boiled down project problems to three types:

• Scope problems
• Support Problems
• Technology Problems

Getting your scope in control

This is the most common type of problem. The project is too big. Your deadline is too close. You don't have enough developers. There are too many requirements. You've missed every milestone. You can have any or all of these problems because your project is incorrectly scoped.

Plainwrap Solutions gets your project in scope using the advanced technology process known as The Meat Cleaver. We are a SWAT team, after all. Let's prioritize your project. Does a part bring in immediate revenue or stop hemorrhaging waste? If not, it goes to Phase II-or III. Does it support a business process or goal? If not, it goes out, forever. This is not about making everybody happy (for that, see Getting Support for Your Project). This is about getting measurable success for your project. See The Case of the Runaway Train for details.

Your project is delayed because you can't get the resources you were promised. You can't get information you need. You can't get access to data or systems. Everyone seems to want to see you fail. These problems arise when key individuals feel that they don't have a stake in your project.

There is often a key individual who has been left out of your project. He or she may be angry, jealous, afraid, or just might not understand the importance of your project. Perhaps you just need a sponsor from the business area.

Plainwrap Solutions will help you identify these key individuals and will help come up with ways to get them to support your project. For an example, see The Case of the Uninvited Guest.

Dealing with technology problems

This one is simple to determine, but not as easy to solve. You've discovered that the technology you were planning to use or doesn't solve one of your problems. Perhaps there is a hidden bug in your platform or a needed upgrade has failed to materialize. You've discovered this the hard way-during development.

Plainwrap Solutions may be able to help here. We have a number of approaches. We may know how to do what you need to do on your platform. We may be able to suggest an alternate approach that avoids the software problem. We may even be able to suggest a low-cost temporary solution that buys you time until the upgrade is available. For an extreme case, see The Case of the Missing Database.