How can you improve your LGF project management skills?

1 Define your scope

Before you start any LGF project, you need to define your scope clearly and realistically. Your scope should include the purpose, objectives, deliverables, stakeholders, roles, responsibilities, resources, timeline, and risks of your facilitation project. You should also align your scope with the expectations and needs of your client, sponsor, or partner, and communicate it clearly to all the parties involved. Defining your scope will help you avoid scope creep, manage changes, and measure your progress and success.

2 Plan your process

Once you have your scope defined, you need to plan your facilitation process in detail. Your process should include the design, preparation, delivery, and evaluation of your facilitation activities. You should consider the following aspects when planning your process: the group size, composition, dynamics, and preferences; the facilitation methods, tools, and techniques that suit your goals and context; the logistics, materials, and technology that you need; the time and budget constraints that you face; and the potential challenges and opportunities that you anticipate. Planning your process will help you create a coherent and effective facilitation plan that you can follow and adapt as needed.

3 Engage your team

LGF projects are rarely done alone. You often need to work with a team of co-facilitators, assistants, experts, or consultants to support your facilitation project. Therefore, you need to engage your team effectively and collaboratively. You should involve your team in the planning, execution, and evaluation of your facilitation project, and delegate tasks and responsibilities according to their skills and interests. You should also communicate regularly with your team, provide feedback and recognition, and resolve any conflicts or issues that arise. Engaging your team will help you leverage their strengths, share the workload, and foster a positive and productive team culture.

4 Monitor your progress

During your LGF project, you need to monitor your progress regularly and systematically. You should track your activities, outputs, outcomes, and impacts against your scope and plan, and collect relevant data and feedback from your stakeholders. You should also review your progress periodically, and identify any deviations, gaps, or risks that affect your facilitation project. You should also report your progress to your client, sponsor, or partner, and keep them informed and involved in your facilitation project. Monitoring your progress will help you measure your performance, ensure your accountability, and demonstrate your value.

5 Manage your changes

LGF projects are dynamic and unpredictable. You may encounter changes in your scope, plan, process, or context that require you to adjust your facilitation project accordingly. Therefore, you need to manage your changes effectively and proactively. You should anticipate and prepare for possible changes, and have contingency plans and backup options ready. You should also evaluate and prioritize the changes, and assess their implications and trade-offs for your facilitation project. You should also communicate and negotiate the changes with your stakeholders, and obtain their approval and support. Managing your changes will help you cope with uncertainty, maintain your flexibility, and ensure your alignment.

6 Evaluate your results

After your LGF project, you need to evaluate your results thoroughly and objectively. You should analyze your data and feedback, and compare your actual results with your expected results. You should also identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and draw lessons learned and best practices from your facilitation project. You should also share your results and insights with your stakeholders, and solicit their feedback and suggestions. You should also celebrate your achievements, and acknowledge and appreciate your team and partners. Evaluating your results will help you improve your learning, enhance your quality, and increase your credibility.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?