What do you call a person who tends to be assigned to a project when the project is struggling?

Question

In my company, there are a few people that are assigned to a project when the project needs to be "saved". It can be miscommunication with a customer, which needs quick resolution. It can be that we were executing on the wrong path. It can be that we need to go "back to the basics", re-think the goal and re-prioritize action items.

What do you call such a person?

I thought about "firefighter", but it's not quite the nuance I am looking for. "Firefighter" kind of implies that some damage is already done (downtime, data loss, money loss). I'm thinking rather that the project is like "we have enough time to steer away from the iceberg, if we knew how to turn this ship".

The project is pan-pan, not mayday. Another analogy from the Ground Proximity Warning Systems, the project is "GLIDESLOPE" or "SINK RATE", but not "TERRAIN".

Answer 1

"Smokejumper" is the usual term, though it's a bit jargon-ey, and will make the most sense in the software domain.

Wilderness firefighting includes teams of "smokejumpers" who parachute in with equipment to get a fire under control. They are usually self-sufficient for a short time. The analogy is obvious.

I originally heard the term "flamejumper" in the early '90s, referring to bringing in high-powered experts to fix any sort of project, but since then the software field seems to have stabilized on "smokejumper", and re-pollinated everywhere else.

Unfortunately, google is so saturated with results for actual smokejumpers that the more metaphorical results are crowded out. If you use the term, it should be readily understandable though.

Answer 2

Troubleshooter Someone who goes in to find the problems & fix them so the project can be saved.

Merriam-Webster

3: a person skilled at solving or anticipating problems or difficulties

10 Kinds of Employee

The troubleshooter.
These are individuals whose job it is to solve problems for an organisation. They are great at strategising, have great interpersonal skills and encourage behaviours that boost workplace expertise. A must have for any company.

Answer 3

I immediately thought of fixer - they come in to fix unusual problems, often with unconventional methods.

: one that fixes: such as

a: a person who intervenes to enable someone to circumvent the law or obtain a political favor

b: a person who adjusts matters or disputes by negotiation

(From Merriam Webster)

In popular usage, there is a bit of a connotation that a fixer is used for illicit problems or uses illicit methods. But the way I think of it, that's only a very minor point. The main thing is they are brought in to help strange/unusual problems that may require strange/unconventional solutions. And that does seem exactly like what this person is all about in your organization.

Answer 4

In the west we often use the term "pinch hitter";

pinch hitter noun

1: a baseball player who is sent in to bat for another

2: a person who does another's work in an emergency

(From Merriam Webster)

The first definition alludes to the historical origin of the term, it's a person who is substituted into the batting order in a pinch (in this context a "pinch" means a critical point).

The term since spread outside of baseball, and is now commonly used for someone who is called upon to do emergency work when something is not going well.

Answer 5

A go-to guy is a trusted individual who can be relied upon to complete a particular task. It connotes competence and reliability, but doesn't necessarily capture the aspect of saving what would otherwise become a failure. A go-to guy is someone who will get the job done. Although it isn't required that someone else is already failing at the job, the go-to guy will perform better than others who might attempt it. Depending on the context, it could fit for your intended usage.

Answer 6

What's wrong with "Firefighter"?

The project is a burning dumpster in a river of excrement and the milestone is in 2 weeks. You need a firefighter, probably an integrated team of them.

I know this terminology; after all, it is sometimes me...

For all the people who objected to my answer, my brother-in-law is a pro firefighter (I mean he drives round in a big red vehicle with a helmet on) and they do a great deal of preventive work, visiting places like airports and making a fuss about hazards and risks.

Answer 7

A few additional options:

secret weapon

something or someone that no one knows about and that will give you an advantage over your competitors or enemies:

Johann was the bank robbers' secret weapon - he knew how the security system worked.

ace - miky mentioned "ace in the hole", but just "ace" alone should be sufficient and well understood

a person who is very skilled at something:

clutch

2 : successful in a crucial situation

Answer 8

They could be a reinforcement:

an addition of troops, supplies, etc., that augments the strength of an army or other military force

Answer 9

ace in the hole

A major advantage that one keeps hidden until an ideal time. The phrase originated in poker, in which an ace is the most valuable card.

(From the Free Dictionary)

Answer 10

Mister Fixit

Should be obvious, but, if necessary see: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/mr--fixit

Answer 11

point person

The person in the most prominent position on something, such as a spokesperson or manager .

One who goes ahead of a group in order to indicate the direction in which it should move. Hyponyms: point man, point woman.

(From Wiktionary)

Answer 12

The term 'silver bullet' could also be applicable. Perhaps not as commonly used to refer to a person but certainly fits the theme.

Answer 13

"Backup"

additional personnel who provide assistance

Merriam Webster

Answer 14

If you prefer a general figurative/idiomatic phrase that can be used for someone who rescues/saves a project and in other situations also; I suggest knight in shining armour (armor in AmE):

If you refer to someone as a knight in shining armour, you mean that they are kind and brave, and likely to rescue you from a difficult situation. Collins

Today, the phrase can be used as gender-neutral in figurative usage. I've also found written evidence in a project management book within project rescue context. In the history, women could become a "dame" which was the female equivalent of knighthood. I've also come across the phrase "dame in shining armour" but it is not and shouldn't be needed in figurative usage. Chivalry today is having the knightly virtues and can be applied to anyone.

Cambridge definition and an example provided with a "she":

someone who saves you from a difficult or dangerous situation
She has arrived like a knight in shining armour at the eleventh hour, and she should be congratulated for that.

If you want a phrase specifically used in project management, project rescuer is used.

Answer 15

white knight:

1. a. A person (usually a man) who comes to the assistance or defence of another person, esp. one who appears unexpectedly; a defender or champion. Also in extended use.

1628 M. Mainwaring Vienna 24 He..seemed to threaten the world in her behalfe, which added this Article to Vienna's beleife, that he undoubtedly was her white Knight.

2012 Times (Nexis) 22 Feb. 29 Republicans are flirting with an equally unthinkable prospect: fielding a white knight to save them from electoral oblivion.

The phrase probably originates from folk tales in which the hero is invariably tall, handsome, and dressed in white (the colour of purity and goodness) and always wins/slays the dragon, etc.