6 min read

The Complete Guide to starting an Impact Project

This guide is designed to help individuals who are interested in creating positive change in the community through a meaningful project or initiative.

An impact project can take many forms and can address a wide range of social, economic, and environmental challenges. It can be anything from starting a nonprofit organisation to launching a social enterprise, creating a community initiative, or organising a grassroots movement. Starting an impact project can be a daunting task, but with determination and passion, it can be one of the most fulfilling experiences of your life.

Throughout my college and university years, I had the privilege of spearheading several impact initiatives.

My Impact Journey

  • Co-founded NUS Project Mandalay, an innovative OCIP program that bridged the digital divide and empowered low-income youths in Mandalay through technology-based curriculum.
  • Founded Myanmar Community at NUS, providing a platform for NUS Myanmar students to network and contribute to society.
  • Co-led Project Virtual Supermarket under Google Developers Students Club NUS, building an eCommerce-themed fundraising site for Food Bank Singapore pro bono.
  • Started STEPS VolUnteers Youth Volunteering Organisation, which focuses on providing free English education for a local education centre in Mandalay.

In this blog, I will share my experiences and provide a step-by-step guide to help you start and launch an impactful project. As someone with a Product Management (PM)  background, I will also share how PM concepts and tools can be useful in executing your project effectively.

  1. Research

Starting an impact project can be an exciting time filled with passion and drive to make a difference. However, it is essential not to rush into implementation without conducting thorough research. One of the most crucial steps in the process is gathering deep insights and truly understanding the issue at hand.

While you may already have some understanding of the problem you are trying to solve, it's important to dig deeper and validate your observations. Don't settle for surface-level data or a few supporting quotes from the target community as the basis for your solution. Instead, break down your target community into different subgroups and conduct interviews with each group to gain a deeper understanding of their specific needs and experiences. This will allow you to better understand the root causes of the problem and develop a more holistic and effective solution.

One method that Product Managers typically use to understand target users better is the Empathy Map. It is a powerful tool that helps you better understand your target community by breaking down their needs, emotions, and behaviours. You can use the template below as a guide while conducting interviews and gathering insights from your users.

Empathy Map Template (CreditS : UX Booth)

Next, to effectively solve a problem, it is crucial to differentiate between its symptoms and root causes. The symptoms are the visible effects or indicators of a problem, while the root causes are the underlying issues that create the symptoms.

Before I started STEPs VolUnteers to conduct English lessons for children from Salay free education centre in Myanmar, I was told by the teachers there that students studies English as part of their school curriculum but are not able to speak in English at all due to a lack of confidence. While this was a symptom of the problem, I realized that stopping at this stage would not address the underlying issues.

One way to dive deeper into identifying root cause is ask up to 5 times of "Why?"  The diagram below shows how I broke down the problem to uncover its root causes.

By conducting thorough research, you will be able to build a strong foundation for your project and ensure that it is truly impactful. So, take the time to identify root causes, ideate and validate your solutions before moving onto the planning and execution phases. Remember, starting an impact project is a marathon, not a sprint, so take the time to do it right.

2. Define

The second stage in starting an impact project is to Define. This stage is crucial in setting up the project with the right expectations for all stakeholders.

Create a written document of the following :

  • Target community - be specific and narrow down to a specific target group to ensure that the project is tailored to their needs and is feasible.
  • Your eventual goal or North Star - what is the one vision sentence you need to read to motivate you and your team
  • Objectives of your project
  • Scope (what will be covered and what will not be covered)
  • Key deliverables - set expectations with your project team as well as partner community
  • Time frame - set an end date to the project
  • Resources available to you (Manpower, Finances etc)
  • Metrics - what are the criteria you will use to measure if your project has acheived its intended outcomes.

3. Plan/ Strategise

The third stage in starting an impact project is to Plan. There are 4 levels of planning you can do from basic project management at the very minimum up to strategising about project sustainability.

  1. Basic project management: At this stage, you will plan the timeline of the project, allocate manpower and resources, set up communication channels, and establish the workspace for the project team.
  2. Checkpoints for continual assessment of problem: In this stage, you will plan checkpoints to assess the fit between what you are doing and the problem you are trying to solve. You will also assess the task-people aspects of the project to ensure that the project is on track.
  3. Strategies to achieve Impact metrics: At this stage, you will plan activities and measures targeted at achieving the impact metrics you have set out to achieve.
  4. Project sustainability: The final stage of planning is to plan for project sustainability. This involves planning beyond the initial project period and considering how the project will continue to create impact in the long term. This may involve developing a sustainability plan that includes strategies for project handover, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement.

Overall, planning is a critical stage in starting an impact project as it helps to ensure that the project is well-organised, aligned with the intended outcomes, and sustainable in the long run.

This planning stage does not end once execution starts. You need to regularly review, refine the plan based on feedback, new information, and changing circumstances and introduce new measures and activities into your execution.

4. Team Set up

In the fourth stage of starting an impact project, you will need to form a team and dedicate roles for each team member. It's important to ensure that the team is equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to execute the project successfully. At a minimum, you will need at least four types of members:

  • The Visionary - Strategic, Influencer, Provides direction, Innovative
  • The Implementer - Coordinator, Keep everyone on task, Get things done
  • The Analyst - Detailed-oriented, Quality Assurance, Sees risks/ problems
  • The Relationship Builder - Empathetic, Communicator, Fosters positive team culture

In addition to defining roles, you should also set the expectation on the number of hours each team member needs to commit per week. Regular sync-ups and meetings are also important to keep the team aligned and on track. Bonding activities should be incorporated into meetings to build a strong team culture.

Finally, it's important to provide training and enablement for the team to ensure that everyone has the skills and knowledge necessary to carry out the project successfully. For Overseas Community Involvement Projects (OCIPs), technical training sessions such as emergency protocols, first aid, cultural sensitivity, and health and safety training are crucial, especially for the leaders of the project, to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved.

5. Execution

[Coming Soon...]

6. Post-execution

The final stage in starting an impact project is the Post-Execution phase. This is where you measure the project's performance using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the success of the project. It's also essential to communicate the results to stakeholders and consolidate the learning from the project to inform future initiatives.

During this stage, you should also take time to appreciate everyone who contributed to the project's success, including volunteers, partners, and donors. It's an opportunity to thank them for their efforts and show your appreciation for their support.

Lastly, it's crucial to plan for the handover of the project to ensure its sustainability. This includes identifying talent within the team to lead the project going forward, establishing a handover plan, and ensuring that all relevant documentation and resources are transferred to the new team.

Additional Golden Nuggets

[Coming soon...]