|
Harvard ManageMentor — PROJECT
MANAGEMENT TOOLS |
|
Worksheet for Identifying Your Project Objectives |
|
Use this worksheet to uncover the issues and parameters at the core of your project. |
|
Team: Go Getters
Section:
13 |
|
Part I. Identify the Business Need Behind the Proposed Project (Why
is this project important?) |
|
What is the perceived need or purpose behind what we
are trying to accomplish with this project? |
|
As a team, we are trying to raise community
awareness about the Boys Town programs and how they are used to benefit
at-risk children. Also, we are raising funds that will contribute to the
monetary needs of the organization and personally participating in events
with the children as their role models. |
|
What caused people to identify a problem that needed
solving through this project? |
|
A current problem is the
difficulty in acquiring financial assistance in a time where funds are not
easily accessible. Our contributions to the Boys Town organization will help
to raise funds and build long-term bonds with local businesses. |
|
What criteria are people going to use to judge this
project a success? |
|
The criteria for the
success of this project consists of adherence to deadlines, attention to
details, creativity, and overall positive effect on the program and children.
|
|
Part II. Identify
Stakeholders’ Needs (Who benefits? Try to think beyond the obvious.) |
|
Who has a stake in the outcome of the proposed
project? |
|
There
are three main stakeholders who will be affected by the outcome of our project.
The first stakeholder would be the Boys Town program. We are expected to
represent the nonprofit organization in a manner consistent with their
mission and vision and act as proper role models to their children. The
second is the University of Central Florida. Our team must represent the
Knights to the local business community in accordance to the University’s
Creed. Finally, the team members of the Go Getters are affected academically.
Success in the Cornerstone course is based on success of the project and
participation of members. |
|
Do the various stakeholders’ goals for the project
differ? If so, how? |
|
The
goals of the various stakeholders are diverse in that each of their standpoints
differ. For example, the Boys Town chairman is indifferent to a grade of A or
C so long as the kids are happy and objectives are met. The University of
Central Florida expects its students to represent the university in a
professional manner. The team Go Getters is motivated to achieve the
objectives and succeed academically at the same time. |
|
Part
III. Brainstorm Alternatives |
|
List at least eight possible alternatives that you
and other project team members have generated for addressing the business
need you’ve identified. Evaluate the alternatives, and put an asterisk next
to the ones that will best help your team reach its goal. Next to those
alternatives, write down why you believe they are the best ones. Try to end
up with at least four or five ideas. These will form the basis for your
project objectives (e.g. tickets of chance, car & dog wash, etc.) |
|
1.
Team “Go Getters” will hold a car wash in October
at Wal-Mart and request their donation of supplies needed for the event.* ·
This is a simple way to get the needed supplies
donated and raise money for our objective. |
|
2.
Team “Go
Getters” will ask a restaurant to hold a promotional night in October and
donate a percentage of the proceeds to the organization (Boys Town).* ·
By promoting
this, we will be able to spread the word about the organization as well as
raise monetary funds. This also only includes asking the restaurant for
permission and promoting the event. |
|
3.
Team “Go Getters” will acquire donated baked
goods from Panera Bread to hold a bake sale at the University in September. |
|
4.
Team “Go
Getters” will visit local businesses, inform them about Boys Town and suggest
donations in October.* ·
This is a great
way to inform the community and find local businesses that are willing to
support the cause. |
|
5.
Team “Go
Getters” will set up a fundraising stand in front of Publix displaying the
organization’s banner and smiling Go Getters in September.* ·
Fundraising in
front of Publix is another great way to inform the public along with asking
for donations. |
|
6.
Team “Go Getters” will hand out flyers and
information in November to local churches and community centers to spread
information. |
|
7.
Team “Go
Getters” will volunteer as chaperones for a field trip with the children of
Boys Town in November. |
|
8.
Team ‘Go
Getters” will obtain donated supplies needed by the program from local stores
in October. |
|
9. |
|
10. |
|
11. |
|
12. |
