Management

PROJECT MANAGEMENT · THE EVERYDAY WORK

The grant decree is not the finish line: it is the start

The day after approval the part nobody talks about begins: interim deadlines, supporting documents, changes to be authorised, reports to be delivered. That is where projects get lost, and that is where we stand every day next to the people running them.

The rhythm of control

EVERY MONTH, ALWAYS THE SAME

A project is not controlled when the deadline arrives: it is controlled at a fixed rhythm, always with the same four steps. That way variances show up while they are still small.

CollectStatus of activities, documents produced, costs incurred and commitments made in the period.

CheckComparison with the approved plan: what is on track, what is behind, what is not eligible.

ReportA report to the client and, where required, to the body managing the programme, in the form it asks for.

CorrectConcrete action on the variances and, if needed, the formal request for a change, before it becomes a problem.

The fourth step is the one always skipped. Spotting a variance and doing nothing is worse than not spotting it: at reporting stage the record shows you knew. Every variance leaves the cycle with an action and an owner.

What we actually take care of

Not supervision from a distance: the hands-on work, done together with the people on the project.

Coordination of activitiesWho does what and when, meetings that are useful rather than ritual, decisions put in writing.
Keeping to the timetableWatching the interim deadlines, not only the final one.
Checking the deliverablesVerifying that what is delivered matches what the plan promised.
Accounting positionReview of costs, eligibility checked before payment and not at reporting stage.
Periodic monitoringCompletion and submission in the formats and within the times each programme requires.
Changes and extensionsPreparation and formal request when the project has to change, with the right grounds.

Who we talk to on your behalf

A funded project has three external counterparts. Speaking to each of them in their own language saves months.

WHO PAYSThe programme managing bodyOffices and managing agents: clarification requests, assessments, changes, payments.

WHO TAKES PARTThe project partnersCoordination of the partnership, compliance with commitments, handling of replacements.

WHO CHECKSInspectors and auditorsPreparation of the documentation for on-the-spot checks and audits.

Communication is not just a box to tick

Almost every programme requires it and almost every project does it badly, at the last minute. Done well it serves the project, not just the report.

Project communication manager

Where needed we take on the role directly, with our own professionals: from the communication plan to the events, respecting the programme publicity obligations and the required formats.

Communication and dissemination plan Publicity obligations and programme logos Conferences, seminars and public events Information materials and web content Relations with the press and the local community Documentation of activities for the financial report

Do you have an approved project and nobody following it day by day?

We can take it over straight away, even if it has already started and even if something has already gone wrong.

Tell us about your project

For the list of completed and ongoing projects, and for any detailed information, please contact us: we will provide it directly.