Project Management Basics for NGOs

Description

This course teaches the fundamentals of project management – planning, work breakdown, timelines, and risk management – using examples drawn from real African NGO programmes rather than generic corporate case studies. Learners will develop practical skills in breaking down projects into manageable tasks, building realistic timelines, identifying and mitigating risks, and running effective project status meetings. The course emphasises the unique challenges of NGO project management – limited resources, complex stakeholder environments, and the need for flexibility in dynamic contexts. By the end, learners will be able to break a project into a clear work plan, build a realistic project timeline, identify and plan for common project risks, and run an effective project status meeting. This is an essential course for anyone responsible for programme delivery in an NGO.

What will you learn

• Break a project into a clear work plan with tasks, responsibilities, and timelines.

• Build a realistic project timeline that accounts for dependencies and constraints.

• Identify and plan for common project risks – financial, operational, and contextual.

• Run an effective project status meeting that tracks progress and solves problems.

• Use simple project management tools (e.g., Gantt charts, risk logs) adapted for NGO contexts.

• Adapt project plans when things change – maintaining flexibility without losing focus.

• Manage a small project team effectively with limited resources.

Requirements

Reviews