Should budget shortfalls mean you cancel that project you’ve been planning? Counter intuitively (and with a few conditions) we say no. In our experience lack of funds actually leads to more successful projects. Without money you:
Focus on simplicity – you’re not likely to look for the “Cadillac” solution, you can’t afford it. Simple solutions tend to be easier to implement.
Encourage staff participation – you won’t be able to afford, nor will you need, an army of consultants to implement your simple solution. Your staff will have to take on added project responsibility to get things done. There’s nothing like having skin in the game to make your staff fight for success.
Use the wisdom of your own people – you can’t buy your way out of the problem so your approach likely has to be home grown. You’ll be relying on the creativity that exists within your organization to complete this project. When solutions are home grown they are easier to sell internally and generally a better fit for your needs.
Better utilize the funds that do exist – when resources are scarce you pay greater attention to them. You are forced to track every dollar spent on the project which in turn means you are likely to spend your money where it will do the most good.
Of course lack of funds will limit the kinds/size of projects you take on. You’re not likely to re-engineer your entire Medicaid system. But…what about rewriting those out-of-date procedures manuals? How about revisiting your policies? What if you could re-engineer a few of those inefficient processes? Lack of funding, while not ideal, is the reality we all now face. It shouldn’t stop your projects and can even help them to be successful.