How to Run a Project Health Check

A practical, step-by-step guide to run a project health check. Project Health Check is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in practice.

For the full concept, see Project Health Check.

Steps

1. Clarify the objective — be specific about what Project Health Check needs to achieve on this project and who it is for.
2. Gather the inputs and the right people, so the result reflects reality rather than one person's assumption.
3. Draft it collaboratively, keeping it as simple as the situation allows — clarity beats completeness.
4. Pressure-test it: look for gaps, unrealistic assumptions and anything important left unsaid.
5. Review and agree it with the people it affects, so there is genuine buy-in rather than silent disagreement.
6. Communicate it clearly to everyone who needs it, in a form they will actually read.
7. Revisit and update it as the project evolves — treat it as living, not one-and-done.
8. Capture what you learn so the next project starts from a better version.