There are specific challenges that can affect project management operations in nonprofit organisations. Compared to their for-profit counterparts, nonprofits function in a different setting. Generally, they must manage volunteer workforces, deal with funding constraints, and strike a balance between project objectives and mission goals.
Hence, the importance of a project management lifecycle cannot be overemphasised. By and large, this process can help ensure efficiency and timeliness for nonprofit operations.
- Project management is an approach to workflow organisation that divides work into discrete units called projects.
- The phases of the project management life cycle are determined by the nature of the project and its intended use.
What is a project lifecycle?
According to PMBOK, a project life cycle is the sequence of stages that a project goes through from start to finish. Likewise, a project phase is a structured group of project tasks that lead to the completion of one or more deliverables. As a result, the titles, numbers, and duration of the phases could be overlapping, sequential, or iterative.
Essentially, the phases of the project management life cycle are determined by the nature of the project and its intended use. Another factor includes the management and control requirements of the organisation or organisations involved.
The project life cycle has essentially five stages. Each of these project phases represents a set of connected procedures that must be followed for a project to be successful.
Stages of the Project Management Lifecycle
Nonprofit organisations can adopt the project management lifecycle to effectively undertake a project from inception to completion. Here are the various stages.
a. Project Initiation
Project initiation also known as project start-up summarises the process required to begin a project work. Here, problems or case studies are first defined and reviewed. Afterwards, a project proposal is presented for approval. Project work commences after a feasibility study concludes that a project should be formed to address a problem or test possible solutions.
In this situation, a project manager will be formally appointed. This individual may be the one to raise the concerns or possess subject-matter expertise. He or she will also be responsible for creating the project proposal while handling project management duties.
b. Project Planning
Project planning refers to the phase of detailed planning. Most importantly, this stage comprises hiring the right staff and creating the schedule and activities.
Also, the project manager is required to specify the financial plan and resource allocation. One tool that can help with project planning and a good structure is the project action plan.
c. Project Execution
Project execution refers to the third phase of the project lifecycle. In this stage, the main goal is to execute the planned tasks to complete the deliverables within the specified time and resource constraints.
However, it should be noted that the project may ultimately take a different turn even with careful planning. Nonetheless, this doesn’t alter its effectiveness. In the project execution stage, the project manager must learn to manage changes and make necessary adjustments to the project plan.
d. Project Closure
Lastly, the Project closure marks the official end of a project. At this final stage, a review of the deliverables will be permitted to the stakeholders. Essentially, the goals of a project review report include an evaluation and documentation of the project. Also, a workshop on lessons learned might be required so that the stakeholders can discuss their understanding of the project.
Conclusion
In summary, project management is an approach to workflow organisation that divides work into discrete units called projects. Essentially, the process ensures the planning and completion of each phase. Also, similar to for-profit companies, nonprofits and agencies can benefit from project management’s value. Regardless of the motivation—profit or social good—there is still a need to complete tasks promptly. This means a system or methodology is required for planning, arranging, and comprehending the work.
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