Guessing is not a strategy: How to build decision velocity with AI and real-time data
June 10, 2026 | Live Webinar
The Self-Service Project Health Check
As a senior program/project manager I spend most of my professional career in international program/project management, focusing on distributed projects in multi-cultural environments. People I work with recognize me for my ability to assess a situation quickly and define adequate and pragmatic actions to bring projects back on track. My style of management can be characterized as can-do, a pragmatic approach focusing on delivery.
All projects start with good intentions, a focus on what is required and an idea of what way to deliver the project. The contract and project charter are written and approved during the start-up phase. The real work starts, and often we are buried in the day-to-day issues. The project charter and contract are gathering dust until there is a difference of opinion between the project sponsor (client) and the project manager (supplier).
A regular self-assessment helps me compare the current and the contracted situation view, as well as providing me with early warnings of disputes that could occur in the future. I normally perform a self-assessment on the project every six weeks, which also prepares me for an auditor coming by. The self-assessment takes around half a day and includes preparing for the future depending on the frequency. I normally plan a Friday for it, and thinking about the next course of action is normally done outside the office in an environment that allows me to be creative.
Step 1: Read the contract
The contract describes the terms and conditions for the deal and most likely which acceptance criteria will be applied for the deliverables. Most likely you can also find the financial terms and conditions, warranty clauses and liabilities. It also offers me a good starting point on what has been agreed upon--and what I can expect. Comparing …
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"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." - Thomas Edison |