Project Management
In our opinion, ownership and responsibility is key to successfully managing a project. Of course a project needs to have an effective business plan and the appropriate funding and resources……..that goes without saying!
However, just because you have the resources and project plan it doesn’t mean that the project will run properly. SOMEONE HAS TO TAKE CHARGE AND MANAGE! The role and function of project manager/s has to be taken seriously and done properly.
Really, your options are straight forward here. You can manage the project yourself, or find someone to do it for you. If you can find a volunteer with the necessary skills and available time – fantastic! If not you can pay for these services from a professional project manager. Community Acorns can carry out this function for your community project, organisation and do it in your name, to your plan, to your instructions and most importantly to meet your aims and aspirations. A professional project manager will be managing your project but you remain in charge.
A professionally managed community regeneration project could benefit your community project/scheme in a number of ways.
- It will ensure that the scheme/project stays true to its plan, to what the community wanted or needs. No one can steer or change or take over the direction of your project without your agreement or instruction.
- Funding requirements can be complicated and time constraining and these will be managed promptly and accurately. Professional project management is about "dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s".
- If engaged early, experienced project managers will likely bring about and contribute to a more comprehensive business plan that provides for extra project benefits for your community.
- Potential funding bodies may feel more confident about your application if it is being supported and managed by a project manager such as Community Acorns. This can increase your chances of success with your applications for funding – particularly when we are talking about large scale applications.
Strategy is important but it is not the same as delivery, these 2 functions are completely different. In our experience, projects can fail or certainly run the risk of not delivering when these roles are not treated separately. Caution should be used be when those involved in the planning and strategy are involved in project delivery and management.
We are not saying that dual roles cannot be performed. However, if this is to be the case strict governance and monitoring ought to be built in and adhered to.
Using a professional project manager such as Community Acorns for your projects large and small often is the best course of action. If involved early your funding application success can be improved and the cost of a project manager can be paid for out of your grant award and not your own cash.