Your IT project is at risk? We take over, analyse, and get it back on track. We specialise in software rescue and failed-project takeover. Emergency support is available. The calculator range is EUR 1,575 – 65,016 excl. VAT.
On the scheduling page, pick a free slot for a 30-minute intro call about Software Rescue – straightforward next steps.
Free & non-binding · 30-minute intro call
Book next available slotAnalysis of Failed Projects
Full analysis to find root causes and define a rescue plan.
Code Refactoring
Restructuring and optimisation of existing code.
Takeover & Renovation
Structured takeover and renovation of troubled projects.
Knowledge & answers
Basics & diagnosis
When is a project really in trouble?
Watch for these warning signs:
Often several of these factors combine.
Do you really take on failed projects?
Yes — that is our speciality. We focus on stuck situations, both technical and organisational. We assess the situation fairly, identify the blockers, and create a realistic rescue plan.
Is the existing code worthless?
Rarely. In most cases, a lot can be saved. We analyse what works and refactor only what truly blocks progress. The goal is to protect as much of your investment as possible.
Can every project be rescued?
Most — but not all. After our initial analysis, we give an honest recommendation: rescue or rebuild? We only recommend rescue when we are confident it can succeed.
Project off track?
We analyse the situation and outline realistic options.
Björn Groenewold – CEO
Process & approach
How quickly can you start?
After a short capacity and access check, we can often schedule a prioritised initial analysis at short notice. The dependable start date depends on team availability, system access and criticality.
How does collaboration work?
We communicate openly with weekly progress reports. You always know where things stand. We work in short iterations so you see continuous improvement from the start.
What happens to our existing team?
We work with your team, not against it. We transfer knowledge and provide coaching to strengthen your team. The goal: after the rescue, your team can continue independently.
Effort estimate for your project?
After initial analysis we provide a transparent rescue plan.
Thorsten Frieling – Project management
Costs & timeline
What does software rescue cost?
According to the software rescue cost calculator, the non-binding overall range is EUR 1,575 – 65,016 excl. VAT. Scope, urgency, codebase size and required stabilisation determine the concrete result. Rescue is often cheaper than a full rebuild and protects the investment made to date.
How long does a rescue take?
Analysis phase: 1–2 weeks. Stabilisation: 2–8 weeks. Full recovery: several months, depending on the project. We deliver continuously. You usually see the first quick wins after 2–3 weeks.
How reliable is the outlook for a software rescue?
A blanket success or go-live guarantee would be irresponsible before analysis. We first assess source code, access, rights, data, the team and the available time. We then document success criteria, residual risks and stop conditions and recommend rescue, partial rebuild or replacement openly.
Technical measures
What are typical technical problems?
Common issues include:
What does refactoring mean?
Refactoring improves the structure of code without changing what it does. The goal is better readability, easier maintenance, and simpler extension. We remove weak patterns and apply proven ones.
How do you handle technical debt?
We prioritise. Critical debt that blocks development comes first. Then we work through the rest step by step. Not everything has to be perfect at once — but the biggest risks are addressed first.
After the rescue
How do we stop the problem from coming back?
Through solid quality practices: automated tests, CI/CD pipelines, code reviews, regular architecture reviews, and early-warning systems with metrics and monitoring. We train your team to maintain these standards.
Do you offer support after the rescue?
Yes. We offer maintenance contracts with regular updates, proactive monitoring, and fast response when issues arise. Long-term development is also possible.
Can we work independently afterwards?
Yes — that is our goal. We document everything, train your team, and hand over cleanly. We remain available for questions, but you are not dependent on us.
Project in distress? We can help.
Let us analyse the situation and build a rescue plan.
Björn Groenewold – CEO
A failed software project means more than wasted budget. It holds business knowledge that would cost a great deal to recreate from scratch. Our software rescue practice starts from the assumption that most troubled projects contain salvageable value. We triage systematically: what works, what needs repair, and what should be rebuilt. Then we execute a recovery plan that protects your existing investment.
The root causes are consistent across industries: unclear requirements, architecture that cannot scale, technical debt that makes change risky, or communication breakdowns. Every engagement starts with an honest review of those causes. Sustainable recovery means fixing what led to failure — not just the symptoms.
Emergency stabilisation usually delivers visible improvements within the first two weeks. We triage critical bugs, address obvious security gaps, and set up basic monitoring. That buys time for deeper work: refactoring, automated tests, and deployment pipelines that make future changes predictable.
Taking over from another provider needs more than good coding. It requires a structured handover, even when documentation is missing or the previous team has left. Through reverse engineering and stakeholder interviews, we rebuild system knowledge so you can move forward with confidence. Many of our long-term client relationships began as rescue projects.
If a product built with Cursor, ChatGPT, Lovable or v0 still works and is not yet a rescue case, our AI code handover and production hardening provides the more focused route into professional testing, security and operations.
Whether software rescue, partial rebuild or full rebuild is the right path depends on the finding from the initial analysis. The matrix maps typical situations to the recommendation, rationale, result and an effort indication. The fact-based entry point is the legacy code analysis.
| Situation / finding | Recommendation | Rationale | Result | Effort (indication) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core functions stabilisable, code rights available | Software rescue (stabilisation) | Protect investment, ship fast | Shippable, stable system | analysis from 1–2 weeks |
| Some parts block, the rest is viable | Partial rebuild of critical components | Targeted instead of full rebuild | Stabilised hybrid system | medium |
| Architecture dead-end, high technical debt | Controlled rebuild / legacy modernization | Cheaper long-term than patchwork | Future-proof foundation | high |
| Provider gone, little documentation | Takeover with reverse engineering | Secure knowledge, end dependency | Documented, handed-over state | project-dependent |
| Project off track for organisational reasons | Process and governance recovery | Causes rarely lie in code alone | Predictable delivery with milestones | 4-week plan |
Software rescue stabilizes critical systems and failed projects—when routine maintenance is no longer enough.
| Use case | Benefit | Differentiation | Outcome | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Go-live failed, production is unstable | Diagnosis, hotfix, and documented handover | Not a long-term maintenance contract alone | Working system with plan | Discuss emergency |
| Vendor dropped out, code is opaque | Code review, stabilization, knowledge transfer | Not full legacy modernization | Manageable operations | Software maintenance after |
| Legacy software must be replaced long term | Bridge to legacy modernization | Rescue first, replacement after | Stable + modernization roadmap | Legacy modernization |
Software rescue, stabilisation and takeover of third-party code when projects stall or quality drops. Planned care: software maintenance; strategic legacy reduction: legacy modernization.
Software rescue costs, overview: Operations, support & stabilisation.
Service overview: Operations, support & stabilisation (overview)
Use our funding calculator to see which government grants may apply to your project.
Björn Groenewold – Managing Director
Service cluster
Related services for Operations & support: help desk, managed IT or maintenance?
Maintenance, support, and project rescue – stable operations, clear SLAs, and fast response times.
Related topics
Complementary services from other areas
These services are frequently requested together with Software Rescue or complement it thematically.
IT consulting strategy: roadmaps & digitalisation
Integration & interfaces: find the right entry point
Use our interactive calculator for a first budget indication—free and non-binding.
Thorsten Frieling – Projektmanagement
Project references
Documented examples with transparent evidence types — browse matching references or open the full case study.
Our topic overview links related articles and entry points alongside this service page.
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