1. Cross-cutting Issues And other things your project document must include

2. The design matrix addresses… Results: goal, purpose, specific objective(s), outputs Activities Inputs, including costs → budget Indicators & means of verification Pre-conditions, assumptions, risks

3. Matrix does NOT cover: Background, setting, trends (context/situation analysis) Justification of the project – why have one? Process of project formulation – who was involved Identification & analysis of stakeholders Details of approach % methodology Institutional / organisational setting, including institutional network Proposed management structure Personnel qualification requirements / CVs Reporting and feedback … more?

4. Other cross cutting issues like… Gender implications and effects Likely impact on the environment Climate change aspects Implications for organisations and institutions Impact on poverty, poverty reduction Post-project period sustainability – organisational, financial, technical

5. Think about…. What is important to the decision-makers What will appeal to the financiers What will get support of beneficiaries & losers What will make the project easier to implement and manage

6. Check your project as a whole for: Relevance: Are we doing the right thing? (context, problem analysis, stakeholder analysis, objective analysis), Feasibility: Are we doing things right? (activity plan, resource planning, indicators of objective fulfilment) Sustainability: Will the results last? (analysis of risks and assumptions)

7. Different types of project descriptions Direction for internal (departmental) projects Terms of Reference: direction for external projects Direction for research: response to calls for proposals Tenders: proposals for executing others’ projects. Tune your focus & emphasis according to type.

8. Internal projects Often do not need major attention on background & justification – the leadership already knows this; Be very clear on the information on situation before, during and after introducing change; Emphasize benefits in terms of better work processes, happier employees, more satisfied clients; Emphasize higher productivity & efficiency to leadership.

9. Project document as ToR for consultants Make background and expected results VERY CLEAR Make sure you have clear statements about personnel requirements – not number but functional qualifications Make consultant-client-financier relationships very clear

10. Project document for research Make the value / benefits of the research results very clear; Explain methodology fully in plain language; If non-academics will evaluate the proposal, make all methodological terms understandable; Give attention to monitoring, evaluation & feedback mechanisms – (who will use it? How will they know about it?); If applying for funds in a competitive process, follow ALL instructions carefully.

11. Project document in tendering Make sure you have understood the expected results; Give clear description of approaches and methodologies; Show how proposed staff meet required competence levels; Show clearly how the client and beneficiaries will be involved throughout; Have clear communication strategy.