Lifecycle of a project

Project Management

• What makes a successful project

• Planning

• Communication

• The Project Plan

• Reporting

Project Management

• Agreeing the focus for the project

• Planning the project

• Agreeing communication strategies

• Managing your team

• Monitoring and evaluating

• Reporting and disseminating results

• “Joint” - bilateral or trilateral

• Mutually beneficial

• Shared outcomes

• Shared programme of activities

• Clear, realistic, achievable aims

• Embedded in the curriculum

What makes a successful project?

• Continuous evaluation

• Support from senior management

• A devoted team

• Flexibility

What makes a successful project?

Planning - things to talk about now

• Aims for the link

• Strengths of the schools

• Who will be involved?

• Methods of communication

• Areas of the curriculum

• Timing

• Roles and responsibilities

• Contingency

Communication

• What means of communication are available?

• How useful are each of these?

• What agreements and rules will we make?

The Project Plan Template

• Evidence that the plan has been prepared jointly

• Clear aims, objectives and milestones

• Clear links to the curriculum in both countries

• A sense of progression

• Balanced budget

Project Plans & Reporting

• Project Plan (beginning Year 1, Year 2)

• End of Year Report (end Year 1, Year 2)

Project Planning

Project Plan for 1st year

Submit to British Council for approval

Work on project

Submit End of Year report

Project Plan for 2nd year

The process

Project TimelineYear 1 (2009 – March 2010)• Contact seminar pre-departure briefing• Contact seminar, Mexico City• Planning and submission of Project Plans• Starting curriculum related joint project activities

Year 2 (April 2010 – March 2011)• Receive Cluster Coordination grant• Receive Cluster Schools grant• Joint curriculum projects• Submit Annual report and 2nd Project Plan• Professional development opportunity (i.e. International Coordinators Course)

Year 3 (April 2011 – March 2012)• Receive Cluster Coordination grant• Receive Cluster Schools grant• Other activities to be confirmed• Submit Annual report and 2nd Project Plan

Project Plan Template

• Joint plan – all schools must agree, one plan per cluster

• Evidence that the plan has been prepared jointly

• Clear aims, objectives and milestones

• Clear links to the curriculum in both countries

• A sense of progression – not just series of ‘getting to know you’ activities

Completing the Project Plan

• Start discussing ideas at Contact Seminar, first draft

• Discuss with colleagues in your schools

• Agree any changes and finalise plan

• One school submits the Plan – agree who!

The Project Plan

GrantsApril 2010 UK LAC

Cluster Coordination £1,000 £1,000

Schools £2,500 £2,500

April 2011

Cluster Coordination £1,000 £1,000

Schools £2,500 £2,500

• Eligible expenditure detailed in Grant Agreements• Retain receipts• Exceptions must be agreed in advance with British Council

Eligible expenditure of Cluster Coordination Grant (£1,000)

• Transport, room hire etc for cluster meetings or other cluster activities

• Ad hoc costs incurred if partner schools visit

Eligible expenditure of Cluster Schools Grant(£2,500)

Activity submitted and approved in the Project Plan• Materials (including software where essential), • Communications• Travel and subsistence• Hardware for communication (e.g. Skype headsets,

SIM cards)

All five schools in the cluster will be responsible for utilising and sharing the grant the money in

accordance with the project plan.

Project Plans & Reporting

• Draft project plans during Contact Seminar

• Take back to your schools for final agreement

• Submit 2 copies of one agreed form to the British Council by January 2010

• End of Year report in December 2010

• Updated School evaluation form

Project Planning

Lifecycle of a project