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Same here. I just encounter some new terms such as Project charter, Project Governance, and Work Break Structure here. Thank you very much PhilanthropyU for these wonderful and informative courses!
Exactly the point @aira_m, thanks for joining the discussion.
Thanks too for the wonderful content
Thanks too for the wonderful content
Hi everyone. Am excited to be here and i hope this is gonna be a memorable learning experience.
Yes. most of the components here are applied in my organization
@GastoneP ,thank you for your active participation in our course discussion forum.
On my Ministry project, the Project Manager reported to Permanent Secretary, (PS)however the project charter can be change where necessary with the approval of the PS to change any budget datelines or requirements
What practice do you see best fit such a small organization? Does the project manager create fluid work orders to best comply with the CEO?
@AbubakarAlhassan, thanks for giving us an update on your project. It sounds unique to hear that your organization’s project charter can be changed where necessary with the approval of the PS to change any budget datelines or requirement.
@LPerez, in a small organization the various stakeholders (heads) can adopt a great governance structure when they come together to deliberate issues on the project as they apportion duties. The project manager can, therefore, create fluid orders to comply with the CEO insofar as it helps achieve the goals of the project in such an organization. However, it should not be seen as a disregard for authority.
On my Ministry project, the Project Manager reported to Permanent Secretary, (PS)however the project charter can be change where necessary with the approval of the PS to change any budget datelines or requirements
@AbubakarAlhassan ,thank you expressing your point of view on project governance.
A rigid environment gives authority to a leader to execute the project well.
@Simba1, thanks for joining the discussion. Yes, a rigid environment sometimes gives authority to leaders to execute projects well as you mentioned. Nonetheless, it shouldn't be considered an avenue to ride over all during the project execution stage.
The Project manager reports directly to the Director of the Organization, who is the Founder/CEO of the Organisation, with the authority of making high decisions like the changes of the budgets, schedule and of the scope. The project manager is not allowed to make decisions about the changes of the budgets, schedule and scope of the projects. Great decisions and significant changes are made by the permission of the Director.
The Donors are involved in the Project governance, but not directly, for the transparency reasons. The project manager updates, always, the Director.
In our organisation, most of decision making regarding the program activities are in the hand of Program Coordinator in discussion with Executive Director. Project Manager role is usually provide reporting, monitoring, or more like organising activities in the Field. However, any decision regarding budgets is under the responsibility of Finance Coordinator, hence, the project manager can focus more on target deliverables and provide reports regarding field activities.
@fvjl2983 ,wow!!!You've clearly explained your organizations project management structure.Thank you for sharing this info with us.
@IDEP_Fitra ,thanks for sharing your organization's project governance structure with us.
On our Federal Ministry projects, the project Director reports to the Permanent Secretary who is the accounting officer of the Ministry. The project Director can change schedules and tasks, but they need to get the Permanent Secretary approval to change any budgets, deadlines, or requirements
@AbubakarAlhassan, thanks for updating us on your organization's project governance.
Although, I'm not working with any social impact organization, but I so much appreciate all I learned regarding project governance. If I may relate the concept to what is obtainable at my work place, the project governance constitutes a board, the top management committee, comprising of the board chairman, the Chief Medical Director assisted by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC). Head of Departments could just be like the Project Managers. Although, they have authority over a lot of things, their power is still limited, and some decisions can only be taken by the overall Medical Director, or his immidiete assistant, the CMAC.
@Alameenbichi, thanks for updating us on the structure of your company. Your explanation was on point, and I am impressed with the analogy you used.
Project governance structure is important. Both the integrity of the project operators and the project itself is assessed based on the eloborate discussions that would have taken place and documented before project implemetation.
In the different agencies of government, there is always a board that sits once in a while to take implemetable decisions by the managing directors who carries out the day to day managment of the activities of the agency. They are certain actions he/she cannot take without resort to the board. This is likened to the governance structure.
Thanks for the response @DCUN.
@DCUN, thanks for sharing with us the governance structure of other agencies. We have learned something new from your delivery.
In our organization, the project manager has less flexibility. For any decision about project schedule, scope or budget, the board exchange with him and they inform the donor for the three constraints.
@SeydouDoumbia, thanks for updating us on the governance structure in your organization.
a WBS is very essential in any project
a WBS is key for any project
a stakeholder is actually someone or any entity with something to gain or lose in a project.
what would be the impact of including external parties to be part of a project governance structure? or it should be an internal affair...
project management actually works well with monitoring and evaluation
project management actually works well with monitoring and evaluation
whats the main difference between project appraisal and management?
Project governance, is about working as team of board with well defined roles and responsibilities with line of schedule, cost and the scope of the project... Love the topic
That is so true @Josimp.
@Josimp, you are right to have made that assertion. In other words, stakeholders have an interest or are concerned about a project.
@Josimp, external parties like donors can be a part of the governance structure of an organization. The essence is to make them know how their donations are put to use in the right way. However, to make them a part of or not a part of the governance structure is dependent on the organization, but whichever seems to work best is accepted.
@Josimp, monitoring and evaluation are all part of the project management structure, and can not be left out.
@Kuku2020, thanks for sharing your opinion on what the governance structure of an organization entails.
@Josimp, whereas project appraisal refers to the process of systematic review of the project to determine if the project goals have been achieved or not, project management is the process of leading the work of a team to achieve goals and meet success criteria at a specified time.
In my company my superior reports to the Division Head. The organizational structure is not extended one here.
@SintayehuGetachew2020, thanks for updating us on your organization's governance structure.
At my company the project manager reports directly to our director who is responsible for project activities.
Projects have constraints of time, budget, and scope. Project managers must balance all three of these constraints.
Thank you for updating us on the governance structure of your organization @Noureddine20.
@Yoofiquansah It is pretty wonderful to be part of this discussion group. I hope we will exchange important insights in the coming modules as well.
Surely we will @SintayehuGetachew2020.
Based on your experience, would you prefer a large organization set with a project governance body or a single man governance like in your case
@pomboloka, I would prefer a big organization with well-structured project governance in place.
However, it wouldn't be a bad idea to experience the challenges associated with a small organization with a simple governance structure.
project governance are the people in charge of the project or control the affairs of the project
@EleletaSurafel I can relate to some of the challenges when there is a lack of clarity around those limits around governance. Within smaller NGOs, it seems sometimes there is flexibility with these due to necessity - and often project managers will have more autonomy.
Within my organisation, another fairly small NGO, I have found it helpful to actually request a meeting to sit down and agree on those limits, responsibilities and accountabilities, and getting it in writing - it's never a good idea to guess about who is responsible for what!
@Abdelly, project governance from your question would be the structure put in place to control and ensure the smooth running of the affairs of the project.
@hollycoulter, thanks for your response.
The governance structure of a program defines the management framework within
which program decisions are made. This is usually established during the Identification Phase and
formalized in its Program Charter, during the Design Phase. When taking ownership of a program it’s
important to fully understand the role of the governing body and also the expectations that it has of the
Program Manager role. If this is unclear, then the likelihood of a program being well-governed – with the
right decisions, made by the right people, at the right time throughout its lifecycle – is significantly
reduced.
The governance structure of a program defines the management framework within
which program decisions are made. This is usually established during the Identification Phase and
formalized in its Program Charter, during the Design Phase. When taking ownership of a program it’s
important to fully understand the role of the governing body and also the expectations that it has of the
Program Manager role. If this is unclear, then the likelihood of a program being well-governed – with the
right decisions, made by the right people, at the right time throughout its lifecycle – is significantly
reduced.
@shah_nawaj ,your insights on project governance are really brilliant.
@samarmariam ,thanks for your answer.Its similar to @shah_nawaj 's response though.
Thanks for the update dear facilitator.
You are most welcome @Sir_Johnson_De_Great.
I have learn a lot in this top thank you course moderator
In our project, project governance is very important. Project manager report to the Director, any changes on the project scope need to be approved by the Director before they are implemented.
You are most welcome @abdulhamidibra
Thanks for sharing your project governance structure with us @Malistoman.
To avoid cross lines and conflict its necessary to know whats and whos tasks.
In our team our project manager is able to take decisions on work task and schedule within the the schedule written in the project propos\sal. So if an action is to take place in the first quarter of the project, the Project manager can change the schedule of the activity from ocurring in the first month to the third month as long as it is within the stated quarter.
It is a chain of workers, working together to achieve a common hoal
@ayomofolami ,it's nice to know that you strongly believe in the ethos of teamwork.Thanks for sharing your response with us.
@Erunuma ,thanks for sharing your organization's project governance structure with us.
@DAVID-JR2082 ,I agree with you on this one.Project staff's roles and responsibilities must be clearly defined.
On my opinion, a combination of top down and parametric would be the best option. It makes it simple while keeping an eye on cost-per-unit.
@BiziSol ,thanks for expressing your point of view on cost estimation.
@ThaoTran said in Module 1 Discussion: Project Governance:
This is the module 1 discussion. You may participate in this discussion once you have begun module 1.
Project governance--how decisions are made and authority is distributed on a project--is an extremely important topic. How does your team organize project governance? In this module's discussion, share your team's governance structure. Who does the project manager report to? What kinds of decisions is the project manager allowed to make?
Find at least one post that you are curious to learn more about. Reply to that post by asking a clarifying question.Example post: On our projects, the project manager reports to the director of the organization. The project manager can change schedules and tasks, but they need to get the permission of the director to change any budgets, deadlines, or requirements.
Example reply: How often does the project manager give updates to the director? Is the donor also involved in project governance?
My organization is mainly connected to the "Erasmus+ youth" program based on informal an non formal education and learning styles. Projects are written by the initiating organization in detailed proposals including all the requirements and the expected outcomes, sent to the "Erasmus+" board. So governance is basically linked to the Erasmus + board that evaluates and monitor the proposal (they ask for some modifications sometimes) and the objectives of the project. Once the proposal is approved, and since it's a youth mobility structure, a project manager will be assigned by the proposing organization to handle the course of actions equipped with a plan (the detailed proposal) to monitor, facilitate and apply. Therefore, project managers Projects include seminars, training of trainers, workshops etc...... ySince it's a youth mobility based, project managers will vary depending on the country where the project will be implemented. oungsters from different countries are selected to take participate a in the
@ThaoTran said in Module 1 Discussion: Project Governance:
This is the module 1 discussion. You may participate in this discussion once you have begun module 1.
Project governance--how decisions are made and authority is distributed on a project--is an extremely important topic. How does your team organize project governance? In this module's discussion, share your team's governance structure. Who does the project manager report to? What kinds of decisions is the project manager allowed to make?
Find at least one post that you are curious to learn more about. Reply to that post by asking a clarifying question.Example post: On our projects, the project manager reports to the director of the organization. The project manager can change schedules and tasks, but they need to get the permission of the director to change any budgets, deadlines, or requirements.
Example reply: How often does the project manager give updates to the director? Is the donor also involved in project governance?
@ThaoTran said in Module 1 Discussion: Project Governance:
This is the module 1 discussion. You may participate in this discussion once you have begun module 1.
Project governance--how decisions are made and authority is distributed on a project--is an extremely important topic. How does your team organize project governance? In this module's discussion, share your team's governance structure. Who does the project manager report to? What kinds of decisions is the project manager allowed to make?
Find at least one post that you are curious to learn more about. Reply to that post by asking a clarifying question.Example post: On our projects, the project manager reports to the director of the organization. The project manager can change schedules and tasks, but they need to get the permission of the director to change any budgets, deadlines, or requirements.
Example reply: How often does the project manager give updates to the director? Is the donor also involved in project governance?
@ThaoTran said in Module 1 Discussion: Project Governance:
This is the module 1 discussion. You may participate in this discussion once you have begun module 1.
Project governance--how decisions are made and authority is distributed on a project--is an extremely important topic. How does your team organize project governance? In this module's discussion, share your team's governance structure. Who does the project manager report to? What kinds of decisions is the project manager allowed to make?
Find at least one post that you are curious to learn more about. Reply to that post by asking a clarifying question.Example post: On our projects, the project manager reports to the director of the organization. The project manager can change schedules and tasks, but they need to get the permission of the director to change any budgets, deadlines, or requirements.
Example reply: How often does the project manager give updates to the director? Is the donor also involved in project governance?
@alUG said in Module 1 Discussion: Project Governance:
@EleletaSurafel ,thanks for clearly expressing your organization's project governance structure.
@alUG said in Module 1 Discussion: Project Governance:
@EleletaSurafel ,thanks for clearly expressing your organization's project governance structure.
@alUG said in Module 1 Discussion: Project Governance:
@EleletaSurafel ,thanks for clearly expressing your organization's project governance structure.
@ThaoTran said in Module 1 Discussion: Project Governance:
This is the module 1 discussion. You may participate in this discussion once you have begun module 1.
Project governance--how decisions are made and authority is distributed on a project--is an extremely important topic. How does your team organize project governance? In this module's discussion, share your team's governance structure. Who does the project manager report to? What kinds of decisions is the project manager allowed to make?
Find at least one post that you are curious to learn more about. Reply to that post by asking a clarifying question.Example post: On our projects, the project manager reports to the director of the organization. The project manager can change schedules and tasks, but they need to get the permission of the director to change any budgets, deadlines, or requirements.
Example reply: How often does the project manager give updates to the director? Is the donor also involved in project governance?
@ThaoTran said in Module 1 Discussion: Project Governance:
This is the module 1 discussion. You may participate in this discussion once you have begun module 1.
Project governance--how decisions are made and authority is distributed on a project--is an extremely important topic. How does your team organize project governance? In this module's discussion, share your team's governance structure. Who does the project manager report to? What kinds of decisions is the project manager allowed to make?
Find at least one post that you are curious to learn more about. Reply to that post by asking a clarifying question.Example post: On our projects, the project manager reports to the director of the organization. The project manager can change schedules and tasks, but they need to get the permission of the director to change any budgets, deadlines, or requirements.
Example reply: How often does the project manager give updates to the director? Is the donor also involved in project governance?
Our organization projects are in direct link with the Erasmus+ non formal and informal youth education and mobility. Youth organizations partner up to carry out seminars, workshops, training of trainees, youth exchange, etc.... A detailed proposal should be sent to the board at Erasmus+ for approval. The proposal is a carefully detailed plan of action, requirements, schedule, costs, objectives and expected outcomes. The proposal is monitored and subjected to modification by the board before it's approved or rejected. So basically, the governance and the donations are linked to the Erasmus+ board. Once the project is approved, the proposing organization's leader meets with the project manager to discuss the project's strategies goals and requirements. The project manager will have to apply the steps, strategies, design and plan stated in the proposal
The project manager will be assigned either by the leader of the proposing organization, or the hosting country. The project manager will be fulfilling all the requirements, schedule, time management and modifications if need be and reporting.
Within my organization, we have a Board of Directors setup of which the Executive Director is an ex-officio. We have a project management team, which is also headed by a hired project manger when ever we have a project at hand. The governance committee constitute five members, one from the project management team, one from the M&E team, one from the secretarial, one from finance & budget and the executive director. The project manager submits his report to board of directors for revision and ratification.
The project suggest issues to the board of directors at which time a board meeting is convene to look into the issues as report by the project manager.
In such meeting the project manager is given the opportunity to justify and defend any such change in the best interest of the stakeholders been supported by data.
Thanks for the update @sylvestrees1992.
That is awesome @sylvestrees1992; making and justifying proposals for change with data is the best way to go. You should be proud of your organization for such an activity.
@sylvestrees1992, this I believe is what happens in big organizations. I hope I am, therefore, right to assume your organization is a big one.
@Afaf-zeinoun62, can you also share with us the governance structure of your organization.
What are the criteria that qualify some one to be good project manager ?
@duolk2020 many are the criteria that qualify one to be a good project manager, but they can be placed under two categories: Soft Skills and Hard Skills.
The aforementioned are the requisite skills that makes the project manager a great manager.
In my organisation, the Project Manager reports directly to the General Manager. Any budget changes have to be approved by the General Manager. The project manager can alter the schedule or the scope but within the project limits and have to notify the general manager even after the changes have been made.
@vmaramba45, thank you for updating us on the governance structure in your organization.
Thanks so much for the commendation @Yoofiquansah.
True, a nationwide @Yoofiquansah.
Project Governance One of the most important points that must be taken into account when designing the project is to precisely define tasks, duties and powers
@sharoog, thanks for the response.
As a WBS has been called a simple and powerful tool for project management, wouldn't it be worthwhile to learn to build it well?
@Facilitator ,of course its important for any project manager to learn how to draft a proper,logical WBS.
For every project my organization carries out, we have project managers that handle them. When it is time to discuss scope, duration and budget, board meetings are held and decisions are made. The board is made up of the members of the organization and decisions are made jointly. The project managers, who are also part of the board report to the board on progress of the projects.
Thanks for the update @Suoghene.
In our organization project manager generally discuss the major points with client and submit the progress of project on daily basis. He also inform the status of project and major road blocks with directors and partner of our organization.
This is clear
@vikasbhardwj ,thanks for sharing your organization's project governance structure.
Is the administrative council the project governance in your organisation?
In our organization ,the project managers is reporting to the program managers and then the program manager will review every work that have done by project manager and his team and send it to the Executive director.
@rial ,thanks for sharing your organization's project governance structure.