If It Works, Don’t Fix It: When Not to Alter a Project

Project managers are often told to choose a methodology,Waterfall, Agile, hybrid, and stick to it. But in the real world, projects don’t always line up neatly with theory. Some of the best-performing teams evolve their own way of working that looks nothing like a textbook.

That raises a key question: if the project is on track, delivering value, and keeping stakeholders satisfied, should you step in to “fix” it?

Why rigidly forcing a methodology can be counterproductive

First and foremost, it can impact ROI. A project that’s already delivering results doesn’t need to be slowed down by a textbook-perfect reorganization. The moment the focus shifts from outcomes to compliance with theory, investors and customers pay the price.

A close second is morale. For a high-performance team that has found its groove, being forced into a new mold can feel like punishment rather than progress. Enthusiasm and initiative can vanish overnight.

Finally, enforcing the “ideal” method can disrupt the communication and information flows that make the project work in the first place. Teams develop their own rhythms for how information moves. Change that arbitrarily, and you risk replacing clarity with confusion.

If it works, don’t fix it.

What to Do Instead

So what do you do if a project looks messy but is working?

Leave it alone. And, in an unobtrusive way, quietly gather the information you need to monitor performance. That way you’ll see if real risks are building without disrupting what’s working.

If changes become necessary, start small and in the pain-point areas. Fix problems for the team first. When they see that changes actually help, confidence builds. Once that trust is earned, you can ask them where they would like to see improvement, and repeat the cycle.

This approach respects results, performance, and the team instead of tearing them down.