When a key program monopolizes resources, balancing priorities is essential to maintain overall project health. Begin by conducting a thorough impact assessment of all programs, prioritizing those that deliver the highest strategic value. Streamline processes to eliminate inefficiencies, freeing up resources for underfunded initiatives. Foster a culture of cross-team collaboration, encouraging the sharing of resources and knowledge to optimize performance across all projects. This approach ensures that each program receives the attention and resources it needs to succeed without compromising others.

Open, honest and direct communication. Once the detailed planning and outcomes of this have been managed as far as possible then sometimes there becomes a point where balancing cannot be done. At this point it becomes about board involvement and a detailed communication process on what is most vital for the business and what drivers are needed. Is it Cost, Resource or knowledge restraints. Wither one cannot and should not be purely down to change management as decisions from an organisational direction and thus board level will need to be discussed and decided upon. So many Change executives try, and often fail to manage this themselves when in fact open communications at the correct level are always the right process.

Imagine your key program as the groom at an Indian wedding, hogging all the biryani while the guests—other departments—wait with empty plates. Time to share the feast! Take a cue from Kolkata’s traffic police who balance the chaos of rickshaws, autos, and buses with fairness. Reallocate resources wisely, ensure everyone gets their share, and keep things moving smoothly without a traffic jam. It's about making sure everyone eats, even if your star program gets the dessert!

To balance resources between programs, start by reassessing the strategic importance of each initiative. Reallocate resources based on priority and urgency, ensuring that all high priority, critical programs have what they need to succeed. Engage stakeholders to communicate the impact of resource imbalances and gain support for adjustments in the project. Consider cross-training team members to flexibly shift resources where they're most needed. Regularly review resource allocation and make data-driven decisions to optimize the balance across all programs.

After annual Fiscal and Resource Planning approvals, which include impact assessments and projected benefit, resourcing issues in one program may impact others due to shifts in constraints or planning inaccuracies. Temporary reallocations can address short-term resourcing or budget delays. For non-temporary issues, early discussions with the appropriate leadership/approving authority (LOB, program, or portfolio) and initiating approved change management process is required. For unplanned projects like regulatory or infosec, each org has a responsible approach for resource allocation/reallocation based on criticality, subject to approval. Transparency with stakeholders is crucial when resourcing issues are identified, regardless of source.