Is your project really on track, or is it a watermelon – green on the outside, but red and troubled in the middle? Michael Bolton, PM-Partners Client Engagement Director, uncovers why this phenomenon occurs and provides actionable steps to get your project back to green, and keep it that way. 

So, you’ve been receiving project status reports that show everything is on track; all KPIs marked as green. But just beneath the surface there are unresolved issues that could lead to cost blowouts, missed timelines and the erosion of benefits. 

Unfortunately, you have a watermelon project on your hands: green on the outside but dangerously red in the middle. If you’re a project sponsor or PMO manager, this realisation can be both alarming and disheartening. The good news is that watermelon projects can be fixed – you just need to understand why they happen, and what steps you can take to turn things around. 

Why watermelon projects occur 

Watermelon projects are more common than you might think, and they usually result from a combination of factors that create a false sense of security. Understanding these factors is the first step in preventing them. Here are some of the most common:

• Misleading reporting: Many reporting systems focus on surface-level metrics and, as a result, underlying issues can go unnoticed until they become critical. 
  
  
• Over-optimism: Project teams may sometimes skip over negative news in a bid to stay on the right side of stakeholders, leading to a misrepresentation of the project’s true status.
  
  
• Lack of visibility: Without transparency around project details, stakeholders might miss signs of trouble, leading to the perception that the project is healthier than it really is.
  
  
• Poor governance: Inadequate governance frameworks can fail to spot red flags before they escalate, allowing small issues to grow into significant problems.
  
  
• Communication breakdown: Ineffective communication within the project team can lead to misunderstandings and assumptions, making it easier for issues to be overlooked.
  
  
• Overstretched teams: We’re all human and if teams are juggling too many balls, eventually something gets dropped, setting the stage for the watermelon effect.
  
  
• Failure to address risks: When risks are downplayed or ignored, your project can start to rot from the inside until it suddenly goes red, and issues become harder to fix. 

How to fix a watermelon project 

If you’ve identified that your project is a watermelon project, immediate action is required. The solution involves two critical phases:  

1. Project recovery – what you need to do to remove the rot and bring it back to green. 

2. Ongoing assurance – how you make sure you don’t end up in this situation again. 

Watermelon project recovery actions 

• Embrace the reality – The first step is to acknowledge the situation. Denial or assigning blame won’t help; you need to accept that your project is in trouble and requires urgent intervention. This mindset is crucial for developing a recovery strategy. 

• Break it down and plot your path – Just as a watermelon can be sliced into manageable pieces, your project can be broken down into its core components. Identify the critical path, prioritise tasks, and focus on delivering value in stages. This approach not only simplifies the recovery process but also helps achieve quick wins, boosting momentum. 

• Communicate clearly and transparently – Effective communication is essential for recovery. Ensure that all stakeholders are clear on what success looks like for the project and keep them informed of the project’s status, challenges and progress. Transparency helps in managing expectations and fosters an environment where team members feel safe to voice concerns and provide honest feedback, which is vital for managing risks effectively. 

• Adapt and improvise – Flexibility is key during the recovery phase. Unexpected issues will always arise so be prepared to pivot quickly in response to new challenges or obstacles. A rigid approach can derail the recovery process, so adaptability is crucial to keep the project on track. 

• Bring in objective experts – Engaging external project recovery experts can provide an objective perspective on the project’s issues. These specialists bring experience, remove emotional biases, and can develop a practical recovery plan that is realistic and achievable. 

• Learn and reflect – After getting your project back on track, take time to reflect on what went wrong, what you can learn from the experience, and what could be improved. This helps in avoiding similar issues in future projects. 

Ongoing assurance 

Recovering a watermelon project is only the first step; ensuring it stays on track and delivers the intended outcomes requires robust ongoing assurance. This involves implementing continuous checks and balances to monitor the project’s health and prevent it from reverting to a watermelon state again. 

Establish clear criteria – Define specific, measurable criteria for all project statuses – green, yellow, and red. Regular, thorough audits should go beyond surface metrics to uncover any hidden issues.  

Workshop key risks – Identify and assess the key risks that could impact the project’s benefits. Regularly reviewing and updating the risk management plan ensures that potential issues are addressed before they escalate. 

Conduct health checks – Independent experts can offer an impartial assessment, free from internal politics, examining each of the key performance areas for project success to identify shortcomings and opportunities and provide a more accurate view of the project’s health. 

Focus on benefits – Keeping the project’s benefits at the forefront of assurance activities ensures that the project remains aligned with its original goals. This focus helps to maintain stakeholder confidence and project value. 

Discovering that your project is a watermelon is never easy, but with the right approach you can turn things around. By embracing the reality of the situation, breaking down the problem into manageable parts, communicating effectively, and remaining flexible, you can steer your project back on course. Moreover, implementing ongoing assurance practices will help you avoid falling into the same trap in the future and help you maximum opportunities. 

Ready to turn your watermelon project green for good? PM-Partners experts will help you recover your project and keep it on track to deliver the benefits you envisioned. Find out more online or call 1300 70 13 14.