Why It Pays Off to Plan Ahead

Why is project management important for nonprofits?

Proper planning plays a critical role in the success of any organization, but it particularly benefits nonprofits, which typically have to do more with less.

Well-executed project management is the often “invisible” discipline that animates planning, and ensures that effective and efficient progress is consistently made toward the strategic goals of your organization. It involves identifying risks, managing resources, budgeting, and clearly communicating across teams and stakeholders. It ensures that the right people do the right things at the right time.

Surprisingly, there are many businesses that have no real project management strategies or systems in place. According to a survey done by the Project Management Institute, only 58% of organizations fully understand the value of project management. Yet, according to Bain & Company, by 2027 most work will be project-based.

Why project management matters

Project management covers the entire lifecycle of an initiative, from concepting and planning to execution and completion. Here’s why it matters:

Efficiency. When implemented correctly, project management helps every part of an organization run smoothly. Your team can then spend more time on work and less time managing work. This will produce better results and a happier staff.
Alignment. By defining your plan at the start of a project, and then properly managing the process, the team will start aligned and stay aligned. This keeps everyone in sync as they work toward the common goal, like rowers timing their paddle strokes for maximum output.
Improved internal communication. In any organization, most problems begin with poor communication, especially between teams or departments. With the recent rise of remote and hybrid work environments, this tension is exacerbated and organizations are struggling more than ever with effective collaboration. To improve this, it is critically important that each person understands the plan, process and their responsibilities, and has a go-to place to connect and ask questions.
Results. Teams with lackluster project management rarely achieve optimal results—and may never reach any result, as a poor process can sideline the entire initiative. Predictable, repeatable success is a result of the right planning, procedures and processes applied relentlessly in pursuit of your project goal.

The importance of project management tools

One way to turn all the moving pieces into an organized plan is with project management software. These systems allow you to streamline planning and communication, keep all the details in one place and empower your staff to collaborate no matter where or when they’re working. Here are a few recommended by our team:

To maximize the impact your organization is making around the world, you must begin with strong planning tactics and tools. Doing so can ensure you not only stay on budget and meet your goals, but improve your team’s ability to think creatively, collaborate frequently and connect freely.