The 7 Warning Signs of a Failing Project
Based on our rescue experience, we've identified 7 consistent warning signs: (1) timeline slips every sprint, (2) scope creep without formal change management, (3) technical debt grows faster than new features, (4) key team members leave, (5) communication shifts from proactive to reactive, (6) demos keep showing the same features, (7) the team can't quantify concrete progress.
The 48-Hour Diagnostic Assessment
Our rescue methodology begins with a 48-hour diagnostic assessment. During this period, we analyze the codebase, interview all stakeholders, evaluate the architecture, and determine the percentage of reusable code. The result is a go/no-go recommendation with a concrete recovery plan.
Rescue vs. Rebuild: The Strategic Trade-off
Not every failing project should be rescued — sometimes a partial rebuild is the better choice. Our experience shows that for projects where less than 30% of the code is reusable, a rebuild is typically faster and cheaper than a rescue. Above 50% reusability, rescue is almost always the right choice.
From Rescue to Sustainable Success
A successful rescue doesn't end at delivery. We implement governance structures, code quality gates, and team processes that prevent recurrence. Our rescue approach is focused on achieving the original project objectives.