You’re team is over budget and not hitting objectives. They’re indecisive and uncertain they have the resources to carry out the task at hand. Enter the project recovery consultant. This is a powerful resource that has been sold for its far reaching and invaluable benefits. When your project is failing and you’re business is in crisis mode, expertise can help you more effectively capture objectives, identify key tasks and improve work processes that ultimately lead to a successful end. But as the consultant-client relationship evolves, an even more significant benefit has revealed itself. And businesses are quickly realizing how the right consultant can help them discover assets they never even knew they had.

Finding the Hidden “Gems”

The organization is a funny thing. In some ways, it works well because roles are well defined and members know where they “fit”. Tasks and responsibilities are organized within a very clear and often immoveable structure. Basically, people know what’s expected of them and they deliver. But when a consultant team is tasked with leading a recovery for a project, repetition is often tipped on its head and pressure can mount. Many times in these uncharted waters, people who are traditionally off the radar step up and surprise superiors with outstanding abilities. Through the chaos and crisis, it’s not unusual for organizations to find hidden “gems”, or people who shine when given a little extra responsibility.

Uncovering Potential in Existing Teams

How about dream teams? Most businesses have them in place – “go to” teams made up of those employees who consistently over deliver by making the “diving catches”. These are your best performers, best managers, etc. and an important resource indeed. But as a project recovery consultant, sometimes it’s in the best interest of the organization to reassign roles or change things up a bit to maximize knowledge and skills. And more often than not, switching up responsibilities uncovers potential in existing teams that wasn’t clear before.

Taking proactive steps through project recovery consulting is an opportunity for a business to rediscover itself. Breaking down roles and responsibilities, establishing accountability and getting back on track are key objectives. But often, through the consulting process, businesses are realizing how to use existing resources to better advantage. They’re finding the hidden talent within their teams and learning that those who were traditionally overlooked are strong and often untapped assets.