Guidelines for good project management An output of the RE-ACT project under Interact Ronan Gingles for AER, Strasbourg, 14 June 2007

RE-ACT “Regional Actors in Interreg Cooperation”  Emilia-Romagna & Lombardia (IT)  Southern & Eastern Ireland  Balearics (ES)  Crete (GR)  Slovenia  Champagne-Ardennes (FR)  (Bosnia-Herzegovnia)

A ‘Russian Doll’

‘Activity 3’ Seeking to deliver a series of ‘recommendations’ and ‘tools’. Interpreting the analyses of programmes and project management (activities 1&2)

Aims of Activity 3 Coordinating, shaping and editing findings from 2 original reports Integrating partner comments and feedback Turning observations into something useful

Structure Originally: single over-arching document on recommendations envisaged Conclusions and findings of potential use to a range of organisations Some overlaps and shared conclusions. Activity 1 – for programming bodies Activity 2 – For those involved in projects and for those who manage them… and for those who manage them… Better targetted ‘packaging’ needed

Programmes before Projects Programmes before Projects Output of most relevance to the new programme drafting process …already underway by summer phase approach –Need to prioritise ‘Programmes’ work first 2 reports = 2 distinct targets

Programmes ‘Concept Paper’ Programmes ‘Concept Paper’ ”Recommendations drawn from an analysis of INTERREG Programmes” (July 2006)  Roadmap for improving the planning and management.  Credible recommendations from practitioners.  Forwarded to Programme Authorities, drafting teams & DG REGIO. eu.net/download/application/pdf/ eu.net/download/application/pdf/

…better programmes… …better programmes…  Ground rules of establishment  Political & Regional involvement  Systems for applications & projects  Building on Previous Results & Networks  Application of rules & regs

Programme Lessons Learned Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly Establishing the strategies, structures and tools for:  new role as Managing & Certifying Authority for the INTERREG IVA Ireland/Wales Programme  negotiations on drafting of Operational Programmes for this programme and for INTERREG IVB North West Europe.

Work on ‘Projects’ More detailed extraction work. Analyzing and building on key ‘Activity 2’ observations Realistic recommendations & guidelines on how to better manage future projects

Project Management Series of key tasks:  Background context  Idea focus  Common approaches & teamwork  Visualising outcomes  Resources and staffing  Defining roadmap (activities)  Scheduling activities  Task management  Administration  Implementation  Follow-up…

plus ‘International element’ plus ‘International element’ Extra complexities in developing a shared partnership understanding across frontiers:  Cultural differences  Languages  Distance  Administrative competence  Resources  Varied perspectives

‘Toolkit’ ‘Regional Practitioner Guidelines for Good Project Management in the Territorial Cooperation Objective’ Completed in March 2007

Based on Project Phases Based on Project Phases  Project Idea Preparation  Building the Partnership  Developing the Application & Budget  Project Implementation  Monitoring & Evaluation  Dissemination & Legacy

Advice…

Explanations…

…& Checklists

‘Golden Rules’  Address real needs - clearly & realistically  Relevant partners  Know your partners  Clear partner roles  Allocation of resources  Defined objectives  Informing & involving stakeholders  Sustainability of project results  Application correct  Professional & experienced structures …be prepared!

Tips for managing the preparation and delivery of more efficient, less troublesome, & more productive projects. …not just for ‘Regional Practitioners’! Lessons & Impacts Lessons & Impacts

Regions and ‘Cooperation’ Regions and ‘Cooperation’ Why regions should be looking to participate: (non-financial benefits):  New perspectives  New ways of working  Building relationships with regions & sectors across Europe  Present strategic needs and proposals to EU Institutions (inform regional policy)  Implementation of regional & national spatial planning agendas  Territorial investment based on wider analysis

Now it’s up to project promoters to ‘RE-ACT’ and put advice into practice!

More Info & Downloads More Info & Downloads Ronan Gingles Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly Ireland