Project Fitness
Check
You’ve decided on your project. Before you
launch full speed ahead, you should spend
some time as a team thinking about whether it’s
‘fit for purpose’. For example, is it suitable for the
audience, does it do what you want it to do and
can you make it work?.
Work through the following tasks and questions to
test your idea.
1. What’s your idea? Try to explain it in one,
simple sentence.
2. Who is your project going to benefit and
how? For example: We provide pensioners
with a fun and active Zumba class at their
residential home.
3. What will success look like? Be as clear as you
can be and set yourself realistic targets. This
will give you something to aim for and give
you a good idea of what you are working
towards. For example: By January 2016,
we will have taught a Zumba class to 30
pensioners at the local residential home.
4. Is it needed? You may think your idea is
brilliant, but does your local community need
or want it? Talk to your Community Partner
about whether enough people would be
interested in taking part and whether anyone
else has ever tried to do something similar.
What was good and what was bad about it?
5. Can you do it? Having a brilliant idea is a
great start. However, you also need to make
sure you are able to bring it to life.
www.getsetaction.org.uk
Answer the following questions:
a) Do you have the skills to put the idea into
action? For example, are you qualified
to teach Zumba? Do you need to think
about asking a teacher or coach to lead
the classes?
b) Have you talked to your Team
Coordinator and Community Partner
about any potential risks and how you
can prevent them? Have you completed
a risk assessment?
c) Do you need someone else to help
you? For example, someone from your
Community Partner’s organisation?
d) Do you have the facilities and resources
you need? If not, are you confident you
can get them? Where will you do your
project? Do you need to hire a hall? Will
there be a cost to this that you can meet?
e) How much time can you spend every
week on your project? Is this enough?
Do you still think your project will work?
Yes – Great! Use the scheduling, budget and
team skills worksheets to help perfect your plans
before you get started.
No – Why? Now is the best time to plan a
different project, or reconsider your aims to make
them more realistic. Better to turn your project
around now while you still have time.
P1
Get Set for Community Action Delivery Partners:
Get Set for Community Action is also working with a number of local housing associations.
WWW.GETSETACTION.ORG.UK