Who’s On First? Using a Responsibility Matrix to Clarify Roles

Unclear roles, responsibilities, and decision-making processes are some of the biggest causes of delays, rework, frustration, and confusion in any organization that relies on teamwork to make the dream work. The same is true in nonprofits. Maybe even more so, because we tend to shortchange valuable self-reflection and planning time in favor of direct service[…]

A To-Do List is Not a Project Plan!

A project plan is more than a to-do list! A project plan not only lists what needs to be done, but in what order. A smart aleck like myself might say, “Then number the list! Problem solved.” Not so fast. Multi-Tasking Matters How many projects have you managed (for example, holiday meal preparation, bathroom remodel,[…]

Project Planning

Project Planning is a Team Sport

I said it last week, and I’ll say it again. Nonprofit professionals wear many hats. When I was a program manager in a small nonprofit, my responsibilities spanned clinical supervision, program design, program evaluation, data management, grant writing, and grant reporting. In this way, our work often overlaps with that of our colleagues on other[…]

project management

You’re a Project Manager. Did You Know?

Nonprofit professionals often wear many hats. We have many and diverse responsibilities, and those shift constantly as the needs of our clients, the organization, and our environment shift around us. Many of us feel as though we spend 75% of our time on that one seemingly innocuous line in our job descriptions: “Other duties as[…]