Hey, Who Owns That Project? If everyone is responsible, no one is responsible.

Who owns the project?

If the Board or the team or the committee is responsible, no one is responsible.

Projects, whether strategic plans and initiatives, and new programs need champions. They also need a name for responsibility and a timeline for accountability.

Too often the plan is not monitored, it is not assigned specifically to one person or position and it is not implemented – and people wonder why, or they accept this as the culture of the place. (The binder goes on the shelf and another strategic plan passes us by. Ho hum.)

People are not generally lazy or incompetent (well, maybe some, but that is a human resources and performance management issue – actually, it is probably a selection/hiring issue as well).

Projects need champions or sponsors (the CEO or Chair, for example). But they also need assigned responsibility with reporting mechanisms, structures and deadlines. And someone needs to hold individuals to account.

Goodwill is important and useful for used clothing… but not so great in insisting on focus and outcomes.

Champions, reward systems, performance management, all play a role in effective project management.

What are your main “pain points” dealing with implementation of Board plans?  What advice would be most helpful to you? And we always assume that you are asking for a friend!

Get in touch. We’ll address your questions and concerns in an upcoming blog post.

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