Walking Dead Initiatives: How To Kill A Long-Dead Project
- Morgan Hunter
- Feb 4
- 5 min read
In this episode of Monster in My Closet, Anil and Morgan explore the concept of "zombie projects"—initiatives that should be dead but linger on, draining resources and morale. They discuss how to identify these Walking Dead initiatives, the reasons they persist in organizations, and practical strategies to kill them once and for all. Along the way, they explore the pitfalls of ego-driven decision-making, the importance of go-no-go criteria, and how corporate culture often prioritizes appearance over value. Packed with insights and humor, the episode provides a survival guide for tackling these undead projects. These show notes include the following:
Key Takeaways
Identify red flags early: If you can't clearly articulate a project's value or stakeholders are disengaged, it may be time to reassess.
Prioritize proper project management: Assign credentialed project managers to ensure consistent oversight and accountability.
Use go-no-go criteria: Establish specific checkpoints during the project lifecycle to evaluate its viability and make tough decisions.
Align with larger initiatives: Piggyback on corporate-wide programs to ensure resources and alignment.
Delay if needed: In rapidly evolving sectors, waiting for market solutions might be a better strategy than starting prematurely.
Foster psychological safety: Create a culture where admitting mistakes and course corrections are valued over preserving ego.
Recognize sunk costs: Avoid continuing projects solely because of past investments; focus on current and future value.
Encourage candid conversations: Regularly assess momentum and resourcing, and address issues openly with teams and stakeholders.
Train leaders: Equip executives with tools to evaluate and terminate projects without damaging morale or credibility.
Allow for mistakes to pivot: A failed project may lead to unexpected innovations or insights if approached with the right mindset.
"If you can't explain your project without sounding like a zombie yourself, maybe it's time to let it die."
Ideas to ID and Correct Dead Projects
Zombie Apocalypse Drill: Organize a creative, all-hands workshop where team members "defend" against zombie projects. Use role-play to identify resource-draining initiatives and brainstorm innovative ways to reanimate or terminate them.
Project Value Hackathon: Host a one-day hackathon for the team to reimagine zombie projects. Encourage out-of-the-box thinking to repurpose the project into something aligned with current goals.
"Reverse Pitch" the Project: Have project leads pitch the project as if it were starting today. If they can’t convincingly justify its value or alignment with company strategy, it’s time to let it go.
Build an Evaluation Process: Introduce a "Project Scorecard" where teams assign projects points based on factors like resource drain, team morale impact, and misalignment with strategic objectives. Projects with the highest score are slated for correction or elimination.
Bring in the Fresh Eyes Brigade: Create a rotating team of diverse employees (from different departments) to evaluate projects. Their outside perspective often uncovers inefficiencies or opportunities for reanimation that internal teams might miss.
Project "Hack-n-Slash" Sessions: Assign a cross-functional team to aggressively streamline zombie projects. They cut scope, remove unnecessary steps, or integrate them into other initiatives to maximize value.
Futureproofing Workshops: Treat the project like a startup and subject it to a Shark Tank-style review. Bring in external advisors or even customers to critique its feasibility and potential to adapt to future needs.
Implement an "Innovation First" Policy: Require zombie projects to integrate one cutting-edge technology, process, or market trend as a last-ditch effort to breathe new life into them. If they can’t evolve, it’s time to end them.
Crowdsource the Kill: Create a company-wide poll to let employees vote on which zombie projects need to be eliminated. This democratic approach fosters buy-in and accountability.
Turn Zombies into Ghosts: Instead of killing the project outright, “ghost” it by pausing all resource allocation but leaving the documentation intact. This allows for potential resurrection in the future when conditions might be more favorable.
Value Reassignment Experiment: Assign projects new, unconventional objectives to see if they align better with current strategic priorities or operational gaps.
Introduce a "Fail Fast, Learn Fast" Culture: Reward teams for identifying zombie projects early and pivoting quickly. Celebrate lessons learned and redirect efforts into higher-value areas.
Project Detox Challenge: Set a 30-day challenge for project leads to either transform their zombie projects into viable initiatives or provide a compelling case for ending them. Offer rewards for the most creative and impactful turnarounds.
Reimagine as a Training Ground: Repurpose zombie projects as low-stakes environments for training junior employees or testing new tools and methodologies. If no training value exists, it’s a clear sign the project must die.
AI Audit: Use AI-driven analytics tools to assess the health of projects. Analyze KPIs, resource use, and timelines for automated insights into whether a project is salvageable or unsustainable.
Storyboarding the Endgame: Task teams with creating storyboards for the project's potential future scenarios (success, stagnation, or failure). If the "success" scenario feels improbable, it’s time to cut ties.
Zombie Project Swap: Allow teams to trade zombie projects to spark new creativity and approaches. A fresh set of eyes and different expertise may uncover untapped potential.
Creative Kill Ceremonies: When ending zombie projects, host creative “funeral” events. It humanizes the process, gives closure to teams, and sets a positive tone for moving forward.
Research and Statistics
Research from Harvard Business Review highlights that 30% of corporate projects become "zombie projects" due to lack of focus and misaligned priorities, draining resources and morale.
Studies from UC Berkeley emphasize that initiatives with only 10-15% time allocation by stakeholders are significantly more likely to fail or stall indefinitely.
Project Management Institute (PMI) data reveals that organizations with certified project managers see 40% higher success rates in achieving project goals.
Suggested Reading
Harvard Business Review on Killing Zombie Projects by Rita Gunther McGrath
The Art of Project Management by Scott Berkun
Fail Fast, Fail Often: How Losing Can Help You Win by Ryan Babineaux and John Krumboltz
Ego Is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday
The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right by Atul Gawande
Wrap-up
Zombie projects aren’t just a drain on resources; they represent a failure to prioritize what truly matters in business. By addressing them head-on with clear criteria, proper project management, and a willingness to admit when something isn’t working, organizations can reclaim lost time and energy. Whether it's about setting up projects for success, knowing when to pull the plug, or pivoting to uncover unexpected opportunities, the key lies in creating a culture that values progress over perfection. It’s time to put these undead initiatives to rest and make room for meaningful, impactful work.
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