- Subdivide existing project into several smaller projects.
- Reduce the number of projects.
- Claim project as an investment for the future.
- Don’t pay vendors.
- Approve budget for R&D only and don’t fund procurement activities.
- Make project management take a salary cut if performance doesn’t meet expectations.
- Replace project manager.
- Remove perks from project team.
- Slow approval process/ add additional testing hurdles, frequent milestones, or more formal methods as go/no-go points.
- Reduce or eliminate travel budget.
- Cut payments to contractors by a (TBD) %.
- Go to a lower technical solution.
- Look for different applications/ways that the product could be used.
- Temporarily freeze the project’s funds.
- Build a little – test a little – incrementally implement project.
- Remove the project from the limelight.
- Select a less expensive/ ambitious or small option or technology.
- Devise a temporary solution until a more lasting decision is made.
- If it can not make the desired profit, delay launching the product until the technology is developed (Note: delay forces more drastic remedies).
- If project won’t eliminate enough technical risk to justify spending more money, delay delivery of final system.
- Return to original system.
- Remove (take away) financial control from the project manager.
- Announce a delayed withdrawal date.
- Block, withhold, slow, suspend, or cut funding.
- Have project reviewed by an independent body.
- Designate the contractor as high risk and avoid future business dealings with him/her; suspend/fine or issue contractor an ultimatum.
- Isolate/insulate project from the decision making process.
- Refuse to accept the final product from the contractor, until critical problems are resolved.
- Withdraw/delay if insufficient raw materials/resources are not available to make the project economically viable.
- Allow a non-politically involved 3rd party to manage the project.
- Restrict overtime expenses.
- Terminate the contract.
- Reduce the head count on the project.
- Enter into a limited alliance with a more capable firm.
- Scale back the project’s size if $’s are reduced.
- Threaten to withdraw unless:
- More resources are committed
- You are paid a certain percentage of the fee
- New/better controls are put in place, including a deadline
