Title SWPPS 4 - Handout - Social Welfare Project, Program Development and Management SWLE Review Notes.docx.pdf ✅

CARL BALITA REVIEW CENTER SOCIAL WORK BOARD REVIEW NOTES PROJECT A set of activities that utilizes resources, undertaken over a period of time. Results in outputs towards a specific purpose. A temporary and unique effort with a beginning date and an end date that creates a product, service or result. PROGRAM Set of projects that are usually grouped together because of their similarity in function, purpose and social relevance. Have a range of strategies working towards defined outcomes. A collection of interrelated projects activities, with a variety of methods of intervention. It may be a mixture of development, relief, advocacy, networking and capability building etc. DIFFERENCES OF PROJECT AND PROGRAM Differences Project Program Structure Well-defined Has more uncertainty Effort Represents single effort Collection of projects Duration Shorter Longer Benefits Certain outputs are tangible Outcomes maybe intangible (e.g. policy) SIMILARITIES OF PROJECT AND PROGRAM 1. They are temporary 2. They have business cases (clients can benefit from it) 3. Aligned to strategic objectives (goal of the organization) 4. Deliver change CHARACTERISTICS OF A PROJECT 1. It has a start and a finish 2. A timeframe for completion 3. A unique one-timeness 4. An involvement of several people on an ad-hoc basis 5. A limited set of resources 6. A sequencing activities and phases ELEMENTS OF A PROJECT 1. Activities – well-defined set of activities in logical order or sequence 2. Resources – activities utilize resources (manpower, financial, material) 3. Timeline – activities are undertaken over a specified time frame (has start and end dates) 4. Outputs – measurable deliverables as a result of the activities done 5. Purpose – reason for undertaking the project (to solve problems or to address a need and/or to exploit opportunities to benefit the project’s target group) TYPOLOGY OF SOCIAL WELFARE PROJECTS 1. Projects based on initiator: Donor driven (supply based) Community driven (demand based) 2. Projects based on outcome: Residual – temporary, immediate or short term Developmental – aimed at enhancing capacities and promoting growth Transformative – changing social condition 3. Project based on goals: Economic, Political, Social, Cultural and Environmental TYPES OF PROJECTS Social Welfare Project/Program Development and Management...Page | 1
CARL BALITA REVIEW CENTER SOCIAL WORK BOARD REVIEW NOTES 1. Government Projects – are sustained through continuous subsidy and government funding; its continued implementation depends on the reception of the people or beneficiaries, the extent of the necessity of the social need and the political priorities of the political leadership. 2. Civil Society Organization (CSO) Projects – groups like NGO’s are normally sustained through grants and sometime thru government subsidies; its continued implementation depends on the reception of the people or beneficiaries, the needs being addressed and the priorities of project proponents and their funding partners. 3. Business Projects – projects are selected simply on the chances of providing a reasonable return of investment (ROI) to the firm’s stockholders/investors given the firms competitive market situation. PROJECT CONCEPT A project is undertaken under the wings of an organization or agency. Projects are normally viewed within the context of an organization’s strategic plan. Projects that are anchored on an organization’s strategic plan are more relevant and effective. THE PROJECT CYCLE 1. Initiation / Project Designing – project idea is prepared, objectives are set, scope of the project defined, establishing strategies for the project outputs and critical success factors are defined and a work plan is designed. 2. Planning – breaking down the project into smaller parts and tasks. *Project Plans – involve activities and costs that are needed during a project implementation period which could be a few weeks or as much as a year or longer; has a beginning and an end. *Operational Plans – involve continuous activities and are usually updated annually to reflect changes in the activities, costs and income from the projects. 3. Execution & Operations / Project Implementation – project activities are implemented and monitored based on the plan or timeline; the key stage of the project life cycle during which the project plan comes to life; monitoring period. *Project Activation – making arrangements to have the project started; involves coordination and allocation of resources to make project operational. *Project Operations – practical management of a project; project inputs are transformed into outputs to achieve immediate objectives. Approaches to Project Implementation: a. Top-Down Approach – implementation mainly done by agencies from outside the community with limited involvement by the beneficiaries. b. Bottom-Up Approach – beneficiaries implement the project; outside agencies may provide the financial resources and technical assistance. c. Collaborative Participatory Approach – both top-down and bottom-up approaches to project implementation are applied in the process. 4. Closure / Termination – project is brought to its final completion; communicating the results; analyze and assess its productivity and efficiency; provide feedbacks. Types of Project Termination: a. Project Extinction – successfully completed or expectation of failure is too high; sudden stop b. Termination by Addition – successfully completed and institutionalized c. Termination by Integration – the output of the project becomes a part of a different movement. d. Termination by Starvation – impolitic to terminate so the project budget is squeezed until it is a project in name only. PROJECT DEVELOPMENT Part of the life cycle where a project is born. Usually starts with the generation of an idea. Assessing feasibility as well as weighing the challenges and benefits associated with the project. Involves the cycle of project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and documentation. PROJECT MANAGEMENT Social Welfare Project/Program Development and Management...Page | 2
CARL BALITA REVIEW CENTER SOCIAL WORK BOARD REVIEW NOTES It uses the systems approach to implement projects in an organization. Combines the human and the material resources of the organization to achieve a specific purpose. Application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to project activities to meet the project requirements. Planning, organizing, motivating and controlling resources (human, material, financial) to achieve specific goals. The achievement of intended project outputs at the least cost of time, money, material and discomfort. PROJECT PROPOSAL It is a document designed to present a plan of action, outline the reason why the action is necessary and convince the reader to agree and approve the implementation of the actions recommended in the document. Project Proposal Format: a. Title Page ● It includes the project title; name of person applying for funds; name of organizations sponsoring the proposal; and length and date of project. b. Proposal Summary – “Abstract or synopsis”; ● Concise description; clear and specific (no use of technical jargons); logically present the main features and explain the importance of the problem; briefly describe “the who” or the proponent is, scope and project cost. c. Introduction and background development situation ● Proponent identifies himself – brief, simple and specific ● Background is expected to answer the question WHY. d. Problem Statement/Assessment of Need Proposal Summary ● There should be a logical connection between the organization’s background and the problems and needs that are to be resolved or met; problem should be clear. e. Program/Project Goal/Objectives and Beneficiaries ● Program objective answers the WHAT and WHY ● Target beneficiaries refer to the WHO f. Program/Project Description and Methods ● The longest and most comprehensive ● It will answer the essential elements, principles and steps of planning g. Evaluation ● It determine the effectiveness in reaching the established objectives; used as a tool h. Budget ● It should be realistic estimate of all costs involved in implementing and operating the project. ● Answers the “how much”; include the cash flow and the components of the cost estimate (personnel and non-personnel costs). i. Schedule ● Answering the WHEN. Considering the use of Gantt chart. j. Future Funding/Sustainability ● Present plan that will assure the funding source to the greatest extent possible that you will be able to maintain this new program. *Remember: “Best plan for future planning is the plan that doesn’t require outside grant support.” RULES FOR MANAGING PROJECT 1. Set a clear project goal 2. Determine the project activities 3. Establish checkpoints, activities, relationships and time elements 4. Draw a picture of the project schedule 5. Direct people individually and as a project team 6. Reinforce the commitment and the excitement of the project team 7. Keep everyone connected with the project informed Social Welfare Project/Program Development and Management...Page | 3
CARL BALITA REVIEW CENTER SOCIAL WORK BOARD REVIEW NOTES 8. Build agreements that vitalize team members 9. Empower yourself and others in the project team 10. Encourage risk taking and creativity DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT 1. Goal-Directed Project Management A management philosophy accompanied by a set of tools and principles for planning, organizing, leading and controlling projects. Characterized by its practical and “psychological” approach to both focusing a project group to reach common goals and on controlling the progress of each individual. Allows project sponsors and team members to focus most of their attention and effort on project issues and not on project management methodologies and or tools. a. Why? Project Definition View: Clearly links the project to the intended organizational goals and the high level organizational standard principles and procedures for managing the project. b. What? Deliverables View: Milestones with relationships reflect the results on a macroscopic level. The milestone plan gives a stable total overview of the whole project with deadlines on one page. Roles are also made exceptionally clear for project sponsors and stakeholders. c. How? Activities View: Tasks and specific responsibilities are reflected in a simple responsibility matrix and empowers team members to make realistic estimates of effort and durations for the actual work needed to reach each milestone. Allows both project non-experts and experts to participate effectively and appropriately. Reduces the paperwork to a minimum and let the project leader focus his/her attention on the most critical issues for the success of the project. Benefits of GDPM: a. Balanced focus on all areas of achievement b. Good communication of plans and reported progress to all parties involved in a non-expert language c. Consensus on goals and results d. Commitment from all parties involved e. Stable plans with focus on results and timing f. A clear definition of the roles each individual shall play to reach agreed goals g. Well proven procedures for controlling progress that focuses effort on reaching predefined goals within time and budgets h. Encourages simple non-bureaucratic administration 2. Social Administration Administration of a social welfare/social work agency Administration – a process of defining and attaining the objectives of an organization through a system of coordinated and cooperative effort. The process by which the objectives of a social welfare agency or organization are met and services are rendered or delivered through the efficient utilization of man, money, material, machines, methods, time and space. An organizational process that involves the guidance or direction of people to maximally attain organizational goals and objectives under existing conditions. 3. Social Planning The process of anticipating social goals or targets and then preparing a plan for reaching them (Conveyrs, 1984). Looking at where we are, where we want to be and how to reach the destination (people with needs and or concerns). Requires critical understanding of past events and the capacity to envision the future. Social Welfare Project/Program Development and Management...Page | 4