Project Theory Introduction to Project Cycle Management

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Project TheoryIntroduction to Project Cycle
Management
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Project phases

• Assessment
• Planning
• Implementation
• Evaluation
• Project Cycle Management (PCM)

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1. Assessment (of needs, situation)

• Observing a problem
• Analysing it
• Defining the need
• Deciding on an action
• Answering W-questions (Laswell)

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W-questions

• Who, for whom, with whom, etc.?
• What?
• Why?
• Where?
• When?
• How/Wie?

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2. Planning (1)

• Needs Analyses (!!!) formal, why
• Analysis of the organisation, its values,
  activities and relevancy
• Own motivation
• Definition of aims (general) and concrete
  objectives

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Planning (2)

• Selection of methodology, activities
• Plan of activities schedule
• Resources human, financial, material, time
• Organisation of the project team, partners
• Outline of the project/project fiche
• Risks assessment strategy

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Concrete objectives

• SMART
• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Realistic
• Timed

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Project fiche/outline (1)

• Project name, location, duration
• Rationale (stating needs)
• Organisations priorities, funders priorities
• Target group
• General aim
• Concrete/specific objectives
• Methodology/strategy
• Plan of activities

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Project fiche/outline (2)

• Main outcomes
• Expected results
• Added value of the project
• Evaluation criteria, technique
• Sustainability, multiplicatory effects
• Resources financial (budget), material (budget),
  human (team and partners)
• Publicity
• Information about the organisation (contact info)

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3. Implementation

• Implementing and executing activities
  (conferences)
• Management resources human, material/technical,
  financial, time
• PR and communication
• Team work
• Book-keeping and accounting
• Process documentation, records
• Continuous monitoring, feedback

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4. Evaluation

• Final evaluation vs. continuous monitoring
• Using originally planned methods
• Summing up results, objectives, activities,
  fulfilled expectations
• Formal documentation (reports, brochures)
• Internal lessons documented (manuals)
• Acknowledgments
• Closing accounting
• Follow-up

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Keys to success

• Balance between organisational capacity and tasks
  to be conducted
• Full team participation in all phases
• Shared notion of objectives
• Involvement and support from the target group(s)
• Realistic plans of activities, budget
• All formalities respected, proper techniques
  means, but not the end in itself!
• Necessary skills (eg. communication)

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Definition of a project

• A concept which serves to organise action
  /Project Management T-kit/
• An individual or collaborative enterprise that is
  carefully planned and designed to achieve a
  particular aim /Oxford Dictionary/

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Further readings

• Project Management T-kit (2000), Council of
  Europe
• Vademecum
• www.ngomanager.org

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David Stulíkdavid.stulik_at_peopleinneed.cztel
420-603-149-741