- A PlanAxion Project Health Check provides a clear, independent, and objective view of the actual status of a major project before hidden risks become critical.
- According to a study by McKinsey and the University of Oxford covering over 5,400 IT projects, large-scale initiatives exceed their budgets by an average of 45%, and 17% threaten the very existence of the company.
- The approach combines structured interviews, documentation analysis, governance assessment, and prioritized recommendations, presented in a format tailored for senior management.
- Typical red flags include: questionable progress reports, repeated delays on critical milestones, changes in leadership, multiple vendors, or a history of project failure.
Major projects are complex and carry high risks. A Project Health Check provides a clear, independent, and objective view of your project's true status before hidden risks become critical issues.
“On average, large IT projects run 45% over budget and 7% over time, while 17% go so far off track that they threaten the very existence of the company.” Source: McKinsey and University of Oxford, study of over 5,400 IT projects
Why conduct a project health check?
A project health check validates the actual progress and risk exposure of a major project through an independent and factual lens. We help leadership teams to:
- validate progress status and risk exposure;
- identify critical gaps in governance, vendor management, execution, and adoption;
- formulate concrete recommendations to get the project back on track;
- secure your investment and meet your deadlines.
What does the PlanAxion approach involve?
Our approach is based on structured interviews, factual analysis of project documentation, and a rigorous assessment of governance and execution. Specifically, the review includes:
- structured interviews with key stakeholders;
- analysis of project documentation, risk registers, and progress reports;
- evaluation of governance, execution, and go-live readiness;
- practical and prioritized recommendations;
- a clear presentation tailored for senior management.
When should you conduct a project health check?
A health check is necessary as soon as warning signs appear: questionable progress reports, repeated delays, changes in leadership, multiple vendors, or a history of project failure. Typical situations include:
- doubts regarding the reliability of progress reports;
- repeated delays on critical milestones, such as testing or data migration;
- changes in leadership or internal reorganization;
- multiple vendors and complex integrations;
- a history of project failure, increasing sensitivity to risk.
What are the benefits?
A health check gives decision-makers full visibility into the project and allows for the early identification of risks and corrective actions. It strengthens internal governance and vendor accountability while protecting budgets, timelines, and operational objectives.
Why trust PlanAxion?
PlanAxion health checks are conducted by senior project managers who specialize in project recovery and deliver independent, factual, and objective assessments. Our recommendations are pragmatic, tailored to operational realities, and backed by proven results on critical transformation projects.
What should you know before launching a health check?
The earlier a risk is detected, the easier it is to implement corrective actions: that is the core logic of a project health check. An independent and objective assessment, delivered in a format clear to senior management, helps secure your investment, strengthen execution, and ensure project success.
Frequently asked questions
What is a project health check?
A project health check is an independent, factual, and objective assessment of the actual status of a major project. It validates progress and risk exposure, identifies gaps in governance, vendor management, execution, and adoption, and provides concrete recommendations to get the project back on track.
When should you initiate a project health check?
As soon as a warning sign appears: doubts about the reliability of progress reports, repeated delays on critical milestones like testing or data migration, changes in leadership, multiple vendors and complex integrations, or a history of failure that increases sensitivity to risks in the current project.
What does a project health check actually deliver?
The check delivers practical, prioritized recommendations presented in a format that is clear and tailored to senior management. It is based on structured interviews with key stakeholders, an analysis of project documentation, risk registers, and progress reports, as well as an evaluation of governance and execution.
Who conducts health checks at PlanAxion?
Senior project managers who specialize in project recovery. They deliver independent, factual, and objective assessments, provide pragmatic recommendations tailored to operational realities, and have achieved concrete results on critical transformation projects, particularly in governance and vendor accountability.
- McKinsey and University of Oxford, Delivering large-scale IT projects on time, on budget, and on value : average budget overrun of 45% and schedule overrun of 7%; 17% of projects threaten the company's existence