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Project Health Check Cheat Sheet

A Project Health Check Cheat Sheet helps project managers quickly assess the overall status of a project. This can be used at various stages to ensure the project is on track and to identify areas that may require corrective action.

Project Health Check Cheat Sheet
1. Key Areas for Project Health Check

1.1 Scope Management

  • Is the project scope clearly defined and documented?

  • Are there any changes to the scope? If so, are they being managed effectively?

  • Are all deliverables on track and aligned with the original scope?


1.2 Schedule Management

  • Is the project on schedule?Check against key milestones and deadlines.

  • Are there any delays or risks to the schedule?

  • Is a clear project timeline available and regularly updated?


1.3 Budget Management

  • Is the project within budget?Compare actual spending vs. planned spending.

  • Are there any cost overruns?

  • Is there a process in place for financial tracking and reporting?


1.4 Resource Management

  • Are all resources (human, financial, material) allocated appropriately?

  • Is the team working efficiently, and are key roles filled?

  • Is there a risk of resource constraints or shortages?


1.5 Risk Management

  • Is there an active risk management plan in place?

  • Are project risks being regularly reviewed and mitigated?

  • Have any high-risk items emerged that need attention?


1.6 Quality Management

  • Are project deliverables meeting quality standards?

  • Is there a quality assurance process in place?

  • Have any defects, issues, or rework been identified?


1.7 Stakeholder Engagement

  • Are key stakeholders regularly informed of project status?

  • Are stakeholder concerns or feedback being addressed?

  • Is stakeholder involvement active and positive?


1.8 Communication

  • Is there an effective communication plan in place?

  • Are communication channels open and clear?

  • Are meetings productive and are minutes/action points documented?


1.9 Issue Management

  • Are project issues being logged, tracked, and resolved?

  • Is there a formal process for escalating and addressing issues?

  • Are recurring issues being analyzed for root causes?


1.10 Change Management

  • Is there a process to manage changes in scope, schedule, or budget?

  • Are changes documented and approved by stakeholders?

  • Have any changes impacted the project timeline or budget?


2. How to Conduct a Project Health Check

  • Gather Data: Collect data on project performance—schedule, budget, risks, issues, etc.

  • Evaluate Each Area: Use the checklist above to review each critical area.

  • Engage Stakeholders: Involve key stakeholders to get feedback on project performance.

  • Review Metrics and KPIs: Compare actual performance against predefined metrics like milestone completion, cost variance, and quality standards.

  • Document Findings: Create a health check report summarizing the findings.

  • Action Plan: Identify areas that need corrective action and propose solutions.


3. Project Health Indicators

Red Flags (Critical Issues)

  • Significant delays in schedule.

  • Major budget overruns.

  • High staff turnover or resource shortages.

  • Stakeholder dissatisfaction or disengagement.

  • Unresolved high-impact risks or issues.

Yellow Flags (Warning Signs)

  • Minor schedule slippages.

  • Risks that are unmitigated but not critical.

  • Increased number of scope changes.

  • Low morale or lack of communication within the team.

Green Flags (Healthy Project)

  • On-time and on-budget.

  • High-quality deliverables.

  • Active risk management with no major risks.

  • Stakeholder satisfaction and engagement.

  • Clear and consistent communication.


4. Tools for Project Health Check

  • Project Dashboard: Centralized tools like JIRA, Asana, or Microsoft Project for tracking project status.

  • Risk Register: A document or tool to track and mitigate risks.

  • Communication Tools: Platforms like Slack, Teams, or email for tracking communication and meeting notes.

  • Financial Tracking: Budget management software or spreadsheets for cost tracking.

  • Milestone Charts: Gantt charts or other visual tools to monitor project progress.


5. Quick Health Check Questions

  • Is the project meeting its deadlines?

  • Are the resources adequate to meet the project goals?

  • Are there any risks that could derail the project?

  • Are we staying within the allocated budget?

  • Are stakeholders satisfied with progress?


6. Action Steps Based on Health Check Results

  • For Red Flags: Escalate immediately. Create a recovery plan and gain approval for corrective actions.

  • For Yellow Flags: Monitor closely and implement proactive measures to avoid escalation.

  • For Green Flags: Continue regular monitoring to ensure ongoing success.


7. Key Takeaways

  • A regular health check can prevent project failure by identifying issues early.

  • Focus on data-driven insights: Use project metrics to assess performance.

  • Communicate findings clearly to stakeholders and the project team.

  • Take action on any identified risks or issues to bring the project back on track.


This cheat sheet serves as a quick reference guide for conducting project health checks, ensuring projects are well-managed and on track for successful delivery. A Project Health Check Cheat Sheet helps project managers quickly assess the overall status of a project. This can be used at various stages to ensure the project is on track and to identify areas that may require corrective action.



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