Project management · Beginner

Project management for community leaders

Plan, run and close a community project on time and on budget.

1. Lesson 1 · 15 min

   Why projects fail

   • Most community projects fail from unclear goals, not lack of effort.
   • Agree what 'done' looks like before you start.

2. Lesson 2 · 20 min

   Defining scope

   • List what is in and out of the project.
   • Write a one-page project brief everyone signs.

3. Lesson 3 · 20 min

   Mapping stakeholders

   • Identify who is affected, who decides and who can block.
   • Plan how you will keep each group informed.

4. Lesson 4 · 25 min

   Work plans

   • Break work into tasks with an owner and a date.
   • Use a simple table: task, owner, start, end, status.

5. Lesson 5 · 25 min

   Budgeting basics

   • Estimate each cost line and add 10% contingency.
   • Track actual spending against the plan weekly.

6. Lesson 6 · 20 min

   Managing risk

   • List what could go wrong, how likely, and your response.
   • Review risks at every team meeting.

7. Lesson 7 · 20 min

   Leading volunteers

   • Give clear roles and thank people publicly.
   • Short weekly check-ins beat long monthly meetings.

8. Lesson 8 · 20 min

   Buying goods fairly

   • Get three quotes for significant purchases.
   • Keep every receipt — transparency protects you.

9. Lesson 9 · 20 min

   Tracking progress

   • Measure outputs (things done) and outcomes (what changed).
   • Share a short progress update every month.

10. Lesson 10 · 15 min

    Handling change

    • When plans change, update the brief and tell stakeholders.
    • Never quietly change the budget.

11. Lesson 11 · 20 min

    Closing the project

    • Hand over assets and responsibilities formally.
    • Hold a lessons-learned session.

12. Lesson 12 · 20 min

    Final reporting

    • Report what was spent, what was delivered and what changed.
    • Attach photos, receipts and beneficiary feedback.