Project management in rescue scenarios is both an art and a discipline. For healthcare ERP projects, it requires even more: precision, clarity, and sensitivity to the operational pressures that clinical and financial teams face.
Why Project Leadership Is Critical in Rescue Work
When plans are outdated, communication breaks down, and ownership is fuzzy, even the best tools can’t fix the problem. In our healthcare ERP rescue, we saw firsthand how proper PM discipline restored momentum and trust.
The Starting Point for PMs:
- Azure DevOps (ADO) was months behind, with no ownership structure
- Project artifacts were fragmented across unmaintained SharePoint libraries
- Meetings lacked structure, actions, or decision logs
- Client teams were overburdened and burned out
1. Rebuild with a Clear Delivery Cadence
We rebuilt delivery rhythms:
- Daily standups for blockers and sprints
- Weekly project reviews with outcomes and risks
- Iteration planning with real team capacity benchmarks
Within eight weeks, the team was hitting iteration goals and working with shared clarity.
2. Restore ADO Discipline
We reorganized ADO:
- Rebuilt the backlog, separating bugs and enhancements
- Tied test scripts to requirements
- Created views for QA and business reviewers
This allowed test cycles to reflect real progress, and PMs could report with confidence.
3. Right-Size Participation and Structure Meetings
We transitioned from open-ended calls to focused, role-specific meetings. Participants came prepared, and sessions resulted in decisions—not debates. Prep materials and follow-ups became expected.
4. Navigate Capacity Constraints and Regulatory Timing
We recalibrated delivery milestones based on client availability (e.g., audit season). Instead of pushing toward a fixed deadline, we implemented readiness-based gates aligned with Success by Design.
Key Takeaway
Project managers in rescue scenarios need more than tools—they need authority, structure, and realism. In healthcare, strong PM practices are the bridge between strategic intent and operational delivery.
Contact Us for PM Support: Reach out to our team for personalized project management support and advice.
Keep on reading, Blog 3: Functional Solution Architecture in Healthcare ERP Rescue Projects.
