East Bali Poverty Project – A Case in Project Management

I have spent the last two weeks in Indonesia for a work-sponsored leadership program. The second week we spent working with the East Bali Poverty Project (EBPP) who are helping the poorest village in Bali, Ban. This program is focusing on improving the village people and helping them to help themselves.

After seeing the village and discussing the program, it struck me that they were managing this work like any IT Program that I have ever run. They had PMs and sub-projects (e.g. health, education, agriculture, etc). They had plans with activities which included materials and lobal (for example to build toilets). Their risks included floods, barely drivable roads, malnutrition and severe poverty.

Unlike many of my projects, these projects have real consequences on the lives of those impacted. It was amazing to see and experience and recognize that our profession could transcend thousands of miles, languages and cultures. A plan is still a plan!