Keeping Project Plans on Track

You’ve taken the critical step on initiating a project plan. Now how do you keep your plan on track?

You need to monitor and evaluate throughout the planning and evaluation stages. Status reports are the way to do this. All stakeholders are updated by providing them with information about milestones, budgets and challenges.

These status reports will keep everyone on the path to success.

That’s exactly what NFPW’s new webmaster and I are doing. The job was defined by a scope of work, which outlined a schedule and payment structure. Now that the new site is under construction, we hold a weekly conference call and review our status. We agree on what we each will achieve in the coming week.

The project will finish on time and on budget. More importantly, it will deliver on expectations, in large part, because of our check-ins with our status reports.

What do you do to keep your projects on track?

Project Planning Balances Constraints

Project planning isn’t simply about reaching the finish line. It’s really about balancing constraints.

It is often overlooked because many consider it cumbersome or time consuming and yet it should be an integral part of the work process. Project planning is a professional discipline and certification in the field is available.

Project planning allows you to clarify what you want to achieve. It provides a path to achieve it.

It also provides development opportunities, and this is often overlooked.  When you bring in other individuals to a project and you use effective project planning you are supporting strong team practices. You want people to feel good about the work they do.

So what is project planning? It’s about balancing three constraints – scope (including the level of quality required), schedule and cost. If you want good, quick and cheap, it’s not going to happen. You might get two of those, but you aren’t going to get all three.

Ultimately your goal is efficient and successful projects. This includes better ability to work together and working smarter (this does not mean working extra hours to reach the goal).

Initiating a project plan allows you to achieve your goals. Are you ready to reach them?

Career Tips for Interns Relevant at Any Stage

Hiring interns is a great way to gain some extra capacity at work. At the same time, you are able to assist these students by providing them with real-world work experiences and the development of their portfolios and business skills.

I feel strongly about bringing on interns. It’s a great way to give back. I also frequently receive calls from college students whose assignment is to interview an alumnus about how college shaped them and how that experience translates into the work world.  

In both instances, I spend time mentoring and coaching them. Whenever possible, I connect them with others and offer job leads. I’m always proud when they land their next internship or, even better, that first job.

The other day when I had finished offering advice, I realized that the advice I was sharing with an intern, still applied to those seeking a job. It doesn’t matter where you are in your career, the basics remain the same.

1)      Join groups to network. Of course, I’m going to encourage you to join NFPW. But don’t limit yourself to one. And don’t limit yourself to your profession. Join a service organization, volunteer. The key is to meet people who can connect you to others. At the same time, you may be able to help others out.

2)      Post a profile to LinkedIn. Most HR offices check to see if you have a profile. They want to know that you are visible and are keeping your skills fresh. For those who say they don’t have enough time, I say, you can’t afford to not be visible. In less than an hour you can create a simple profile. Then check in once a month. That’s not a large investment in your career.

3)      It’s always appropriate to send a thank you. Some of us still send note cards, but an email thank you  is equally effective. It demonstrates that you have basic etiquette skills.

4)      If you are a freelancer, are between jobs or have more to share than what is on your work business card, consider ordering a personal business card. I’ve created one that lists my role with NFPW, my blog and how to reach me.

5)      Don’t stop learning. You may have finished your college courses, but the world is constantly changing. Keep up with current events. Participate in webinars and seminars. Attend conferences, including the Face 2 Face NFPW Conference in Chicago this August.

If you follow these tips for interns, your career will stay on a solid path.

Friendships Are a Key Perk of NFPW

NFPW friends visit the Newseum in Washington, D.C.

When people ask me about the benefits of NFPW, I always cite the friendships I’ve made.

The first few times I attended a conference I hung out with those I knew, but I made an effort to say hello to others. Electronic communications may be great, but “Face 2 Face” conversations build relationships.

In a few short years, I found myself eagerly anticipating the next conference because I would be seeing friends that gather once a year. Thankfully, Facebook and other social media platforms make it easier to stay in touch throughout the year.

What I love about these friends is that they are always willing to help. I’ve called on many NFPW friends for advice, suggestions and plain ol’ help. They’ve always responded.

NFPW is a group of women and men focused on all forms of communications. We aren’t competitive with each other; we’d much rather help each other.

And when it comes down to it, having friends helps make life easier and more enjoyable. It’s a benefit that is hard to measure, but is immeasurable.

Yet some people don’t understand the value of friends. I thought I would share this YouTube video that is the opposite of everything NFPW represents. None of these conversations would occur at our conferences. It’s a reminder of how fortunate we are to be proud members of NFPW.

Making the Social Media Commitment

The opening session at last month’s NonProfit 2.0 focused on free agents – those who write about your organization and/or actively volunteer with it. The discussion evolved into a discussion about how to get an organization to commit to social media.

Allison Fine noted that CEOs and Boards know they have to embrace social media, but they aren’t sure of how to go about doing that. “Organizational cultural change is hard,” Allison said. “We’re talking about culture shift.”

Beth Kanter added, “The message you need to send is patience.”

Of importance to executives is measuring ROI. Beth recommends looking at the four I’s.

1)      Return on Insight: You are learning how people feel about your organization and its work. You also learn how to do things better.

2)      Return on Interaction: How well are you engaging with people?

3)      Return on Investment: Are you converting people into supporters?

4)      Return on Impact: You need to track real-world results, both online and on land.

Social media is not simply about using it, it’s about engaging. “We need to engage and energize people,” Allison said.

One way to do that is to use interns to coach senior staff on using Twitter and Facebook. The goal is to leave the organization with capacity. Another way to offer training is to hold a brown bag lunch and provide training to all staff.

“You need courage and patience to do this well,” Beth said.