Background
The Zoological Society is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity. Its key role is the conservation of animals and their habitats.
The Need
A lot of the society’s work is project-based. This includes projects involving significant amounts of money, such as new animal exhibits; new conservation projects, either UK based or abroad; scientific research, education or interpretation. These projects involve many senior staff, including Directors, on a regular basis. Much of what can be achieved as a conservation, education and scientific charity depends on projects delivering their intended benefits.
The Solution
Working in partnership with Hemsley Fraser, a programme was devised to give managers the tools and techniques needed to run a successful project. This included setting objectives, project planning, implementing, controlling and communication.
The Result
“We expect the benefits to come through over a period of time in improved design, management, communication and delivery of projects. We are already starting to see some of these benefits. However, the main benefits at the moment are the raised awareness and understanding of the importance of projects to ZSL, and that we are all talking the same language. As a direct result of the first workshop for senior managers we have set up a working group to fully define a comprehensive system and approach to project management, across ZSL”.