Defining and Identifying Projects Work
Do's
- Do clarify the Member’s goals and how projects can advance them to help determine the priority of projects work among office operations and the resources that should be allocated to it.
- Do define projects work by considering the following: the Member’s goals; district/ state needs; constituent perceptions and attitudes; delegation and local politics; and jurisdiction.
- Do weigh the pros and cons of basing projects staff in the district/state or in DC and select the location that best supports your goals.
- Do clearly define, communicate and coordinate the job responsibilities of projects staff to minimize confusion and conflict in the office.
- Do assess the overall public interest in the project, as well as the group/individual making the request and the politics surrounding the issue, to determine the appropriate response for your office.
- Do develop a strategy for announcing awards to improve staff coordination and timeliness and ensure the Member gets proper credit.
Don'ts
- Don't allow the work of projects staff to evolve over time without any clear direction from management or without targeting the work toward the Member’s strategic goals.
- Don't act on a request without first obtaining the most complete and accurate information possible to ensure the office makes an informed and calculated decision.
- Don't process projects and grants requests without first understanding the House and Senate rules that govern this activity.
- Don't neglect to capture the processes and procedures of projects work in the office’s constituent services manual to help ensure the consistent recording and tracking of this information.
- Don't view projects work as only reacting to incoming requests. Enhance outreach efforts by proactively seeking and identifying projects that reflect the office’s goals.
- Don't fail to measure the overall success of projects work as it relates to the office’s broader agenda. Conduct an annual review to analyze the office’s process and if changes are needed.
Details
Copyright 2010, Congressional Management Foundation
Paperback: 244 pages
Publisher: Congressional Management Foundation; 3rd edition (March 8, 2010); Reprinted in 2017
ISBN-13: 978-1-930473-13-3
Dimensions: 7.5 x 9.25 inches
- Download the entire book in PDF:
Keeping It Local: A Guide for Managing Congressional District & State Offices(2.5 MB)
Pricing for Hardcopies
Price: $25.00
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