Master these 3 Frameworks for Better Project Planning (NGO)

There is a lot of hoopla around the SMART, GANTT CHART, and THEORY of CHANGE. Today, we are going to understand what these are and how can we use them. When you just enter the industry, this industry jargon hits you and most of the time you would feel overwhelmed.

But don’t worry, I have taken care of that.

We’ll start with the easiest one and then move on towards the harder ones. Let’s begin with SMART Goals. These are goals that are basically – specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. And these can be simply written as clear, trackable, within reach, and with a deadline.

(Also, thanks for turning up to read the article.)

For example, instead of "get better at work" your SMART goal could be "complete the proposal by Monday" See the difference? It's clear what you want to achieve, you can measure your progress with the progress of the proposal, it's achievable if you start slow, it's relevant to your overall goals, and you have a timeframe to keep yourself accountable. Now go forth and SMARTly set your goals!

Have you ever heard of a GANTT Chart?

Seems like some physics/mathematics term right, but it’s fairly simple. A Gantt chart is a flow of your activities with their respective timelines. You can even break down big tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks.

You know the coolest part? You can connect tasks to show dependencies – like needing to finish writing a report before you can design the presentation slides.

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This way, you can see your entire project laid out visually, making it easier to spot potential bottlenecks and keep everything on track.

?There are even free online tools to create Gantt charts, so you can ditch the pen and paper (unless you're feeling artistic).

?Here’s how it usually looks.

Now let’s come to the Theory of Change – The "How" Behind Your "Why"

This one might sound fancy, but don't let the name scare you.

A Theory of Change is a roadmap explaining how you'll achieve your goals.

It's like having a kind of GPS for your project, showing the steps you'll take and the changes you expect to see along the way. You can also call it the roadmap of the project.

Think of it like this: You want to raise awareness about environmental protection.

Your Theory of Change would explain how you plan to do that – maybe through educational workshops, social media campaigns, or community events.

It would also identify the expected outcomes, like increased knowledge of environmental issues or a shift in behavior toward sustainability.

While it takes more effort than SMART goals and Gantt charts, a Theory of Change is a powerful tool for complex projects.

It helps you stay focused, identify potential gaps, and convince others (like funders!) that your plan is solid.

So, there you have it! With these three planning tools with you, you'll be a master of organization in no time.

These are just a few things that you should know.

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