Escalating issues IS NOT a sin!

Isn't it stressfull when we face an issue that can jeopardize all the work and effort we have been doing? 

Yes, it happens... It happens in all good program or projets. In fact, I have never seen a program without any critical risks and/or issues. I have to admit, I LOVE to break my head to find new ways and new solutions. PROBLEM SOLVING is fun and IS stimulating! Problem solving skills is so important and critical everywhere!

If you are like me, while resolving issues, you try to keep the temperature of your soup at the right level so that the water does not overflow... Indeed, I try to resolve as many issues as possible at my level so that I can spear my bosses or stakeholders. Execs hire us because they trust our judgement. They give us a mandate and expect us to be successful. I work hard to avoid escalating issues to the next level but HEY, sometimes it is necessary! What you do not want to happen is this...

When needed, I am not shy to escalate to the next level in a timely manner. I know that when I escalate, it is really because I did everything I could and know that I need help to move on. I do not feel guilty when I escalate, they are there to support us at an exec level and this is why escalation processes exist! I am saying this because I used to be so scared to escalate, I felt like a failure if I had too. I learned that not everything is on my shoulder!

Escalation is not a sin, it is part of a project. 

You need to be prepared to face issues that you will not be able to resolve yourself and that will require the participation of your execs for xyz reason. Be ready however to resolve 99% of the issue coming to you. The 1% will be escalated. Would it be great if we could shift our effort from issue resolution to risk mitigation?

Tips

• have regular update meetings with the people involved in the escalation process
• have a clear escalation process (who escalated what when and how?)
• ensure that people involved in the escalation process are AVAILABLE and take actions within given timeframes
• If you can't resolve it at your level, push the issue up right away if affects critical path
• resolution time is key, don't drag issue, they are often extremely expensive
• have a proactive approach, put lots of efforts on risk management this will decrease the number of issues that comes up because you will have prevented them!
• use issue resolution techniques, open your hears, be always attentive to news ideas and input from others