Ocean projects come with all kinds of complex aspects to juggle. From securing funding, to reports, to field work, ensuring that your project is staying on track and running smoothly, while accomplishing what you set out to do is a huge undertaking.
That’s where project management comes in. Project management is more than administration tasks or paperwork, in some cases, it’s what the success of your project relies on. A project manager can help you stay on top of your finances, forge stronger connections with funders and set you up for future success even beyond the end date of your project.
First, let’s talk about finances. Quite simply, without funding, you don’t have a project, but it’s more complicated than just receiving your grant(s) and then moving forward with your research. Managing finances, especially when there’s more than one type of funding to keep track of, can be daunting and mismanaged grants can lead to problems further down the line.
One major problem that can stem from not having a dedicated project manager is loss of funds. Different grants require different things, some can carry over from one year to the next and others can’t, while some have allotted expenditures for different areas of a project. All these stipulations can be confusing at times and if you’re not looking closely, it’s easy to miss out on funds you could be spending on important project work without even knowing it.
That’s why it’s so important to have a dedicated project manager who’s keeping track of these particulars and ensuring that all the project information is centralized. Project managers specialize in understanding the nuances of different types of funding to ensure that you’re always making the most of your resources.
Where there are funds there are funders, and maintaining a strong relationship with them is key to a successful project. Having a project manager from the start can create the foundation for a strong relationship. Writing a recognized project manager into your proposal can show potential funders that you’re committed to a successful project. When funders see proof of your commitment early on, they can have the confidence that your work will be carried out and delivered in the way that meets their expectations.
Over the course of a project, a strong project manager will strengthen ties with your funders even further by ensuring that reports are completed on time and include all of the relevant information. Something as simple as prompt and thorough reporting can make you, your team, and your project stand out to funders and make them more likely to support further research of yours in the future.
Having a well organized project that repeatedly proves its worth by demonstrating that it’s accomplishing what was set out to do is crucial, not only to the success of your project, but also to your reputation in the field. When funders can see that you’re a strong applicant that follows through and takes initiative, you’ll be set up for long term success.
Finally, project management goes the extra mile and helps you even after your project work has concluded. It’s important to close out a project correctly to ensure that all the loose ends are tied up. A lot of work goes into any kind of ocean project, and it’s crucial that your work is presented in a way that maximizes just how important it is.
By showing project success from beginning to end, you’ll show funders that you conduct reliable, valuable research. You’ll be setting yourself up for success whether you need to extend a project and request additional funding, or if you plan on doing another project in the future.
With a project manager incorporated through the whole process, you’ll be able to have the peace of mind that your project requirements are being met while maximizing the use of all of the resources available to you. A strong project manager will go a long way to ensuring that you stay on top of your finances, forge strong connections with funders, and are set up for future success.
