Project Planning and Measuring Impact

Let's each pick a project, break it down using the Project Brief template , discuss with a partner, and report back to the group.

For beginners

Format

This exercise works well as an in-person workshop or an online exercise. It can be done individually or in a group.

Materials

  • Pen/pencil & paper
  • Text editor

Introduction

I've been trying to improve my strategy and get out of some project planning habits. This exercise pulls from Amira Dhalla's Women + Web = Strong session at Mozfest, Open Canvas, Open Leadership materials, and conversations with my fellowship mentor Robin Champieux. I hope this exercise will help you with strategic planning for your projects!

Steps to Complete

  1. Part 1: From vision to core ideas and outcomes

    Workflow 1. Danielle runs through the exercise. 2. Work individually through the prompts in Part 1. 3. Make a 1-2 minute pitch that involves your project's core ideas and outcomes. Let's go to the template Project Brief template Fork/download and edit the Project-Brief-template.md file.

  2. Partner feedback

    How clear are the project's core ideas? Can you push your partner to think outside of their box? Is your partner addressing the root of the problem or do their plans address peripheral issues? The point of this is to get feedback before getting into the weeds of the practical and logistical details (that's Part 3, that you'll do on your own)!.

    Workflow 1. Split into pairs and pitch the project. 2. Partner asks questions from Part 2. 3. Hear your partner's pitch and ask questions. 4. Report back to the group about your experience with this exercise.

  3. Take home work

    Part 3: Developing a Practical Plan: Once you have worked through mapping out your project in Part 1 and gotten feedback in Part 2, you can start diving into the practical issues in Part 3.

    Workflow 1. Complete Part 3 on your own! 2. Send Danielle feedback about this session.

Glossary

Outcomes

The measurable impact of your project.

Outputs

The actions, events, or products that you produce on the way to impactful outcomes.

Follow-up Resources & Materials