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Independent Third-Party Reviews (Project "Healthchecks")

Delivering value for Citizens is at the heart of the Federal Government agenda and it is programs and their component projects that provide the vehicle for implementing policy, transforming services and delivering value.

Similarly, the globalization of business, the commoditization of services and the increasing demands of end customers mean that many private sector organizations are in the throes of transforming their operations with major projects.

The problem is that projects are, by definition, novel and therefore inherently risky. Numerous surveys and analyses demonstrate how hard it is for projects to deliver value:

"Over 61% of the projects that were analyzed were deemed to have failed by the respondents. More than three quarters blew their schedules by 30% or more" (KPMG Canada 1997)

"40% of the projects failed to achieve their business case within one year of going live . . . Companies that did achieve benefits said that achievement took six months longer than expected. Costs were found to average 25% over budget" (Conference Board Survey 2001)

"31.1% of projects will be canceled before they ever get completed. Further results indicate 52.7% of projects will cost over 189% of their original estimates." (The Standish Group)

What is a Project Healthcheck?

"A Project Healthcheck is a methodology that aims to assess the health of a project at any stage in its lifecycle, provide realistic recommendations and solutions to improve poorly performing areas and ensure that a defined set of project objectives is achieved"

The Project Healthcheck:

  • Looks both backwards and forwards: backwards to assess performance to date and forwards to determine the likelihood of achieving the required project outcomes
  • Delivers practical, actionable recommendations
  • Is based on observed facts plus the opinions of an experienced consulting team
  • Can be undertaken at any stage or gate in the project
  • Has the most value when used as a regular, periodic review at key project gates, to fine-tune project management and direction

How Is It Done?

The focus of the review differs according to the project stage:

Our approach aligns with the Treasury Board Secretariat six stage process and provides a clear audit trail from findings to conclusions and recommendations:

Results are presented in both graphical and text form to highlight areas for improvement:

Why Use Flare Consulting for Your Project Healthcheck?

  • Objectivity. Our independence ensures that all relevant issues are flushed out and addressed
  • Expert advice. Our founder has over 25 years project experience with blue-chip firms
  • Access to best practice from the private sector, adapted to suit the public sector context
  • Clear recommendations - robust and practical
  • A proven approach perfectly aligned with the Treasury Board Secretariat's "Independent Reviewers' Handbook V1.0", supplemented by our own proprietary spreadsheet-based tools to provide a visible audit trail to support conclusions and recommendations
  • Our track record. We have completed numerous reviews in both the public and private sector, recommending practical changes to enhance the likelihood of project success
  • Value. Big-Four level expertise with a price that represents real value for money, especially where large or high profile projects are concerned

How Long and How Much?

An initial review typically takes between 15 and 25 days, though this can vary up or down depending upon the level of detail required for reporting and variables such as the number of data collection interviews and workshops.

Depending upon the size, complexity and importance of the project, many organizations consider allocating between two and five percent of the total budget for the Project Healthcheck component designed to improve the likelihood of project success.