You have an idea for a project, but what is your first step?

Start by mapping out your thoughts so you can express your idea clearly. When you can articulate what you want to do, why it’s important, and how you will do it, you have created a base for crafting an effective project proposal.

Get Crystal Clear on Your Project

Start by answering a few big-picture questions:

• What is the issue, challenge or opportunity being addressed?
• Why is it important and why should your organization take the lead?
• What data and information do you have to help support the issue, challenge or opportunity?
• What does success look like?

Next, brainstorm possible actions you could take. Some key questions to consider:

• What can you do to address the issue, challenge or opportunity?
• Are there any best practices from other communities or examples of where this circumstance has occurred before?
• Brainstorm your key activities.

Describing your approach and the actions you’ll take in clear, simple terms is essential. Defining objectives and what specific, measurable outcomes you hope to achieve will help shape the activity and impact of your project. Consider:

• What are the potential impacts of your project? Consider the short, medium and long term outcomes?
• How will you measure these impacts to show project success?

Now that you have brainstormed your project idea, take a moment to articulate your project.  If you can’t summarize your project in a few sentences, keep brainstorming to seek clarity so that people understand what you are trying to achieve. This summary will help you pitch your project and gain support.

Next, dig deeper on how are you going to execute your project.

• Brainstorm who can you partner and collaborate with.
• How long would this project take? Do you have a final date you are aiming for?
• How much would your project cost? Use your activities to get a rough estimate and budget needed.

TIP: Don’t forget the importance of collaborating with partners to enhance your project and share responsibility for taking action. Bring partners into your project early and align your goals.

Once you have gone through these steps to clarify your project idea, you have a great base to move a funding proposal or budget request along.

Next Steps

Build out the details, including a project timeline that defines tasks and responsibilities, and a general budget outlining costs and required resources are essential foundations for a successful initiative.

Download the Project Brainstorming Worksheet (Note: You can request a French copy of the worksheet, by sending us an email at ruralaffairs@ontario.ca)

Additional Resources:

Performance measures resources – learn about how you can use a logic model to map out your project and develop performance measures.