This document discusses project management strategies for multi-stakeholder projects. It emphasizes that successful project management requires a balanced set of interpersonal, business, and technical skills. It also stresses the importance of establishing clear goals, developing efficient processes, driving effective outcomes, and creating sustainability from the beginning to ensure efforts can continue after grant funding ends. A variety of project management software and tools are presented, along with guidance on choosing options based on the specific project's needs and goals.

1. Project Management Tools, Processes and Strategies
for Multi-Stakeholder Projects
Presented by: Colleen LaRose

2. Successful Project Management
Requires a Balanced Skill Set
Interpersonal Skills
(most highly correlated to project success)
Business Acumen
(aligning project’s measurable objectives with goals, mission and
vision)
Technical Project Management Skills
(such as the software tool)

3. Interpersonal Skills
Internal pr skills/team building
Emails
In person meetings
Online meetings (“Go To meeting” and skype)
Webinars
Linked In group (and sub groups)
Blog Talk radio
Website/podcasts
You Tube channel
Twitter
Slideshare

4. Business Acumen
Understand/agreement on goals and outcomes
Establish defined objectives
(what is to be measured…how…why)
Flow charts to define processes
Gantt charts
Clear expectations and regular reporting
(who, when and where)
Excel spreadsheets
Calendars
Surveys

5. Technical Skills
No one software tool is best. Depends on:
project culture
collaboration needed
type/size/length of project Key to success - not the software tool
Inputs generated but the training and skills of the project managers.
outcomes data
Considerations.
full project management?
document sharing?
task assignment?
customer relationship management?
collaborative calendar?
May require consultant assistance to determine which product and implement training.

6. Grants Management –
(Efficiency - Tasks, Time, Budget)
Most important is to accomplish goals of the
grant…not to learn reporting software.
Some examples:
Microsoft Project/Sharepoint and Primavera are complex and time-consuming.
Base Camp, Smartsheet, Clarity, Solve 360, Quick Base, Team Work PM, Project
Manager, ASANA (simpler, require some modifying, set up for corporate structures)
CRM may be enough to coordinate outreach activities at each location.
Could allow schools to use excel, then roll up into Microsoft Project

7. Before choosing a reporting strategy,
need to know…
Organization structure
(who is getting reports)
Current state (“as is”)
Desired state (“should be/goals”)

8. Grant Maximization -
(Effectiveness - Achieving Goals)
Synchronist Business Information Systems –
Addresses employer needs
Aligns workforce development and economic development
Satisfaction with the community?
Value to the community?
ROI? Growth potential?
Risk of leaving/downsizing?
What’s the problem?
How can we help?

9. Which Businesses Need and Deserve Help?
Synchronist lets you plot companies, using data in meaningful ways.
High Growth, Low Value High Growth and High Value
G Often at greatest risk
Startups Problems usually around workforce
R High ROI
O
W
Low Value, Low Growth High Value, Low Growth
T
Retraining for other Examples: Moldmakers,
H opportunities Insurance Industry
V A L U E

10. How are these efforts sustained when
the grant money is gone?
Start with the end in mind.
Record of Work
Easily transferable data
Partners willing to carry mission forward
Clear path for continuation

11. Summary
Project Management Tools, Processes and Strategies
for Multi-Stakeholder Projects
Establish goals
Use balanced set of skills:
Interpersonal, Business Acumen, Technical Skills
Develop efficient processes
Drive effective outcomes
Create sustainability from the beginning

12. Questions?
Contact:
Colleen LaRose
P (908) 995-7718
E LaRose123@hotmail.com