Templates
Project Recovery Pack
A structured toolkit for diagnosing, resetting and recovering a failing technology project.
Launch price available - join the newsletter for details.
Who this is for
- Senior project managers who have taken over a stalled or failing program
- Program managers who need to present an honest assessment to their executive
- PMO leads conducting a program health review
- External reviewers asked to assess a troubled technology program
The problem it solves
Programs do not fail suddenly. They accumulate governance debt, missed commitments and eroded stakeholder confidence over months. By the time a program is formally in trouble, the underlying causes are usually 6 to 12 months old.
Most recovery attempts fail because they address symptoms rather than causes. The recovery plan is presented with more optimism than the situation warrants, the stakeholder reset is handled poorly, and the steering committee is given a roadmap that collapses at the first deviation from plan.
This pack gives you the structure to do an honest diagnostic, communicate the findings clearly, and present a recovery roadmap that a sceptical executive or steering committee will accept.
What is included
Project Health Diagnostic
A structured assessment covering delivery confidence, governance health, stakeholder alignment, financial position and vendor performance.
Recovery Assessment Workbook
A working document for recording findings, evidence and preliminary recommendations during the diagnostic phase.
Stakeholder Reset Plan
Templates and guidance for resetting stakeholder expectations with precision and without destroying confidence.
Executive Reset Briefing
A template for the first steering committee meeting after a recovery intervention. Covers current state, recovery approach, decisions required and reporting changes.
Re-Baselined Delivery Roadmap
A structured template for presenting a recovery plan with credible milestones, dependencies and success criteria.
Vendor Remediation Plan
A structured approach to documenting vendor performance issues and the agreed remediation actions.
Risk Re-Baselining Workbook
A workbook for rebuilding the risk register from scratch after a recovery assessment.
30 / 60 / 90 Day Recovery Plan
A structured planning template for the immediate, short-term and medium-term recovery phases.
Steering Committee Recovery Pack
A complete reporting reset for the committee, including revised status template and updated escalation thresholds.
What you can produce with it
- A written program health assessment the steering committee can act on
- A credible recovery roadmap the executive and sponsor will accept
- A stakeholder reset communications pack that rebuilds confidence without overpromising
- A re-baselined risk register that reflects the actual state of the program
How to use it
Start with the health diagnostic. Work through each dimension, document the findings honestly, and use the output to prepare the stakeholder reset plan. Present the reset plan before the recovery roadmap. Do not present the roadmap until stakeholders have a shared understanding of the current state.
What this is not
- Not a methodology or certification framework
- Not a generic risk management template pack
- Not suitable as the first PM resource for someone new to program management
- Not a substitute for senior delivery experience when the situation requires embedded advisory support
Format and delivery
Microsoft Word templates (.docx) and Excel workbook (.xlsx). All documents are fully editable. Delivered via Lemon Squeezy after purchase.
Frequently asked questions
Is this suitable for government programs?
Yes. The templates are structured for the governance and accountability requirements common in Australian government technology delivery, including the documentation standards expected by audit and assurance bodies.
What if my program is past the point of recovery?
The diagnostic framework includes a structured way to assess whether recovery is viable. If it is not, the templates support a controlled wind-down. Presenting a clear-eyed assessment of viability is better than continuing to spend money on a program that cannot succeed.
Can I adapt the templates?
Yes. All documents are fully editable. The templates are designed to be adapted to your organisation, your program and your stakeholder context.
How long does the diagnostic take to complete?
That depends on the size and complexity of the program. For a mid-sized program, a thorough diagnostic typically takes two to three days of focused work, including stakeholder interviews.
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Related services
Project recovery advisory serviceLaunch price available - join the newsletter for details.
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