Project implementation: Mobilising the winning team

When distributing efforts in project life cycle, more concentration tends to be centred around the implementation phase. It simply entails putting the ideas into realisation. Project actualisation is of course dependent on various elements that come to play. The project management committee of the Kilimo value based agricultural football league appointed a lean but efficient project team led by a project manager experienced in agricultural matters. The incumbent provided overall leadership of the project activities to a team comprising of a football organiser, agricultural officer and a business development officer with the assistance of 10 volunteers.

The decision to have a lean team was informed by the workforce and workload analysis which established that the amount of work, time and effort needed required a small number of dedicated personnel.

If human resources is an on-demand skill then procurement is a vital complementary competency. During the project, the manager advised the project committee team on the importance of adjusting the personnel schedule so as to fit training and induction of volunteers into tasks which they are capable of undertaking.  A procurement manual was developed by the project manager hence this played a big role in reducing resource wastage.

Occupational safety policies can help prevent or remedy simple labour issues that occasionally arise in workplaces and this was no exception in the project. A first aid training was held to help project staff familiarise themselves with the facilities and equipment they will handle to prevent incidents

Partnerships were necessary for the Kilimo value based agricultural football league as it enabled the project team to spearhead important synergies. The Agricultural Society of Kenya, Jamii Bora Bank and Football Kenya Federation were roped in as technical partners.

Football matches, which took place every last week of the month, were preceded by agricultural extension services and entrepreneurship training every first and second week of the month respectively through the help of a football themed farming manual.

Because of the project, the neglected football field was refurbished by planting grass prior to implementation hence this increased participation and reduced injuries associated with the field among the selected beneficiaries.

In conclusion, project implementation phase seeks to actualise planned activities but with proper documentation, it helps win the confidence of all project stakeholders involved.