Successful and sustainable programs and projects start with strong design from the beginning and include design tools such as logic models, SMART objectives, and environmental analysis. This article will focus on the top 8 “project design and development” skills nonprofit staff and grant writers must have.

Project design and development is one of the top 6 grants professional skills measured by the Grants Professional Certification exam. These include research, project design, writing, management, ethics and professionalism, and relationship building.

These are the 8 main skills related to the design and development of your projects that lead to ultimate success and sustainability…

8 skills for effective project design and development

To be effective in the design and development of programs and projects, you must be able to…

1. Request and incorporate stakeholder input including customers that is significant and substantive. This includes including your contributions in the initial design of new concepts and programs.
2. Build associations with other agencies that are applying.
3. Educate agencies about financial and program-specific compliance with the regulations and requirements of the fund.
4. spent”logic modelsWhenever applicable, to assist in the design of the program. The logic model communicates the purposes, components, and sequence of activities of a project.
5. Distinguishing between the various key components of the project design, such as goals, objectives/outcomes, activities, evaluation and sustainability, as well as tools that streamline design planning such as SMART goals, activity schedules, evaluation plans, and sustainability plans. SMARTER goals are those that are S = Specific, M = Measurable, A = Achievable, R = Realistic, and T = Time Based.
6. Spent data-driven design elements that are descriptive, qualitative and statistical, as well as data-driven design tools such as environmental scans, gap analysis and gap-closing strategies, SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis, web-based surveys, feasibility studies, and needs assessments.
7. Identify resources that exist in the community who can assist in the design and development of projects and programs.
8. Make sure your design is accurate, defensible and leads to a larger program success and sustainability.