Part 2: Implementation – Running your Project
It’s time to run your project
This section will give you a toolbox of ideas, checklists and templates to help you plan and implement different activities.
Key things to remember
- Don’t feel that you have to do everything. Get others to help you, clearly allocate tasks, and have regular meetings with the people involved to check on progress of different tasks
- Keep everyone informed of what’s happening and what needs to be done through regular “work in progress” meetings
- Ensure that your team knows what they have to do and by when
- Keep track of all your spending to make sure you don’t run out of money and keep receipts for everything you spend money on
- Keep written records of all communication, particularly agreements you make with others. This doesn’t have to be a long record, you just need enough to confirm what you’ve agreed to
- Review your plans and progress regularly to stay on track. This will help you to know in advance if things need to be adjusted. Write notes on your progress and changes as they may be needed for any final report you might write.
It is important to remember that often good projects start as a small idea with a small number of people involved, but grow because of word-of-mouth throughout the community, as more people want to become involved in the new thing that everyone is talking about.
It takes time and effort to build this support. Spread the word, build strong relationships with the community and encourage community ownership.
Don’t be discouraged if lots of people don’t get involved straight away.
Often one small event can become a catalyst for change in other target groups. For example, a structured women’s walking/cooking group can influence change in men’s groups, because they see how the women are enjoying themselves and want to enjoy themselves too.
Be open to new opportunities developing as a result of one good idea.