Up to 50% of projects fail because their success is compromised in some manner – over budget, behind schedule, or failing to deliver expected outcomes. From fund raising to initiating a new program, the fundamentals of project management hold true. Using a systematic process will assist in ensuring a smooth “roll out” of any event or program.
A project is a series of activities that has a limited time for completion with a specific outcome in mind. When completed there will be a service, product, funding, or a specific result. A project can include a fund raising event, a volunteer recruitment process, the hiring of a new executive director, launch of a new program, or anything that is not part of the “everyday business” of the nonprofit. Project management is a systematic process that balances the elements of time, money, quality, monitoring, and execution to reach a specific goal.
Specifically project manage is the process of:
- Exploring the history/background/environment/trends
- Understanding the steps in starting a project
- Determine the systematic process of planning
- Developing a work breakdown structure
- Evaluating and monitoring the project
- Closing out the project
Why use a systematic approach to project management?
The ability to plan and document the ins and outs of a project have been proven to produce better and more smoothly run projects. Where time is of the essence, nonprofits need to be sure they are using the best tools possible to reach the goals of every project they undertake. By reaching these goals in a systematic way, clients are served better and the entire organization benefits. Some of the benefits of a project management approach are:
- A systematic approach to the planning process that can be replicated
- Understanding the connection between the project and the overall mission
- Development of subsidiary plans such as communication, quality, budgeting, risk management, and staffing
- Having a plan that incorporates specific actions for paid and volunteer staff to take
- Determine when to check for progress
- Understanding the importance of documentation and close out
What KM Consulting and Training Connection will contribute
Working with key individuals in the nonprofit we will:
- Present a review of the purpose of the project
- Work hand-in-hand to develop a project plan and explore subsidiary plans
- Assist in the development of a work breakdown structure
- Help in the monitoring, evaluating, and closing phases through a check in process
As a result of using a systematic project management approach you will have
A tailored blueprint for implementing a project
For more information please contact us:
Phone: 512-515-0580
Fax: 512-515-0590
E-mail: Kathleen McCleskey
E-mail: Bob McCleskey
About Kathleen McCleskey