Fixing Failed Projects: How to Master the Art of Project Turnaround

by Dave Karpinsky

Overview

Fixing Failed Projects is the essential survival guide for anyone who leads complex, high-pressure initiatives. Whether you're a seasoned project manager, a new PMO lead, or a transformation leader staring down a spiraling program, this book gives you the real-world tools and strategies to recover fast and deliver results.

Unlike theoretical project management books, Fixing Failed Projects focuses on the hard truths of project recovery. You'll learn how to regain control, rebuild trust, and lead with calm during the storm. With simple frameworks, tested techniques, and powerful stories, it shows you how to handle stakeholder chaos, missed deadlines, and scope gone wild-without burning out.

This practical guide covers:

• Project triage methods to identify what's broken and why
• Turnaround frameworks to reset plans, teams, and timelines
• PMO strategies that create stability in the face of failure
• Recovery playbooks for risk management, scope control, and replanning
• Communication tactics that work under executive pressure
• Team leadership skills for re-engaging burned-out staff
• Post-mortem best practices that turn failure into growth

Built for leaders in project management, IT, consulting, and change management, this book helps you fix broken projects and become the go-to recovery leader. You won't find vague advice here-only clear steps, decision tools, and insights from those who've led real project turnarounds across industries like finance, government, healthcare, and technology.

If you're responsible for project delivery, and the stakes are high, this is your roadmap. Fixing Failed Projects gives you the mindset, methods, and momentum to win back control and lead through the fire.

Buy the book now and start leading successful project recoveries today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798898660314
Publisher:	Dave Karpinsky
Publication date:	07/17/2025
Pages:	498
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Dave Karpinsky, PhD (ABD), MBA, PMP, Prosci, is a seasoned global executive, consultant, and author with over three decades of leadership in enterprise technology and transformation. With extensive experience delivering high-impact programs in over 60 countries, Dave has built a career at the intersection of business strategy, technology innovation, and operational excellence.
Dave's expertise spans enterprise systems, digital transformation, and organizational change management. He has led complex, multimillion-dollar programs across industries such as aerospace, defense, manufacturing, life sciences, energy, finance, and public sector. His background includes senior leadership roles at firms such as Accenture, McKinsey & Co., SAP, IBM, KPMG, and BearingPoint. Known for rescuing challenged initiatives and building scalable governance frameworks, Dave has become a go-to advisor for C-level leaders facing high-stakes delivery.
Fluent in four languages and culturally agile, Dave thrives in multinational environments, aligning global teams across diverse workstreams. He has directed mission-critical initiatives for Global 500 companies. His ability to bridge business and IT has enabled him to lead successful rollouts involving ERP, AI, CRM, data, analytics, cloud, and integration platforms.
Beyond delivery execution, Dave is a respected thought leader and educator. He has taught project management, business strategy, and information systems at Lawrence Technological University, University of Phoenix, and Colorado Technical University. As an author, he translates deep industry experience into practical, actionable guidance for professionals navigating complex challenges.
Dave holds an MBA in Technology Management, PhD in Information Systems, and maintains certifications in project management (PMP), organizational change (Prosci), and multiple SAP and Salesforce specializations. He is passionate about helping teams succeed in fast-changing environments and believes in building sustainable, resilient solutions that create long-term value.
Outside of work, Dave enjoys world travel, astrophotography, and performance cars. He brings the same curiosity and precision to his hobbies as he does to his profession—always learning, exploring, and pushing boundaries.