Task

Plan and Get Moving:

Now that you have identified and learned about an issue, recognized your skills, put together a team and identified important networks, it's time to put together a Project Work Plan . This Project Work Plan has been developed using TakingITGlobal's Guide to Action and the UNESCO Project Planner.

There are many online project management tools that can help you manage your project: 

• Asana--Collaborative and free online project organizer
  
• Freedcamp--Online, web based free project management tool
• Some platforms like OneDrive and Google Docs allow you to assign tasks or action items to specific people. 

1)  Introduction and Project Goals

Identify what you want to achieve and how. State 2-3 SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely) objectives for your project.

2) Scope of Work

It's important to identify what value your project will bring. What will the project seek to accomplish and who will it affect? Talk with those who will be affected by your project (group of people, community, geographical area) to ensure that you are truly addressing their needs. What will be involved in executing your project? How will you assess its outcomes?

3) Tasks

Reflect on the objectives that you set for yourself. Using the Work Breakdown Structure, identify specific tasks for each objective and assign team members to the tasks. 

4) Budget

Create a budget that is specific and puts together quantities and costs. Looking at your tasks, identify the necessary resources and quantities needed. Consider Human Resources, technical equipment, materials/supplies, communications/publications and travel/accommodation/food.

Once completed, assign costs to each resource. To make an accurate budget, UNESCO Project Planner recommends:

• Research costs online to have up to date information
• Ask people who are experienced in budget making (Talk with your Ocean Bridge coordinators)
• Look at budgets for similar projects
• Remember direct and indirect costs
• Keep estimation units consistant (hours, per event, per person)
• Consider alternatives to create a realistic budget

It is important to know your budget very well to ensure that you stay on target.

5) Schedule

Create a project schedule with key milestones to measure whether the project delivery is on schedule. Ensure that the tasks you set are achievable in your project schedule.

6) Risk Assessment

Describe the risks the project may encounter (technical, financial etc.) Identify the probability of the risk (high, medium or low). Identify what can be done to mitigate the risks and the response if the risks become realized.

7) Project Team

Identify each team member's role and who they report to.

8) Communication Plan

In 4-5 sentences , identify the key messages you want to share with your audience. UNESCO Project Planner  recommends asking: What do you want your target audience to learn, take away or act upon? Do you want to persuade, advocate or change behaviour? Do you want to inform your audience about progress made and results acheived?

Consider what communication channels you would like to use (social media, websites, print, press, TV). Using the Communications Plan Template :

• Craft social media posts that can be used on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Use hashtags #OceanBridge #LeadersToday and tag @OceanWise @leaderstoday and @SocDevSoc
• Brainstorm print, digital and/or broadcast opportunities to promote the project (Including an AquaBlog!)
• Brainstorm other creative content you would like to create to help share your project (ex. video, photos, blogs, interviews, art exhibits)
• Create a communications tactic timeline

9) Assumptions

Define assumptions you made when creating the Project Plan. Consider scope, tasks, budget, schedule, outcomes and who will be affected by your project. Consider multiple viewpoints to best assess the assumptions you have made about your project.

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