Project Planning
The backbone to a great idea is the ability to articulate what, where, when, why, and how. Project planning comes before funder selection so that you can stay true to your research while later being flexible to the funder’s goals. You must choose your research and then find the funding opportunities that will support your trajectory. Our project planning services position you for a fundable future.
Timelines & Milestones
What is it? A grant funding timeline is the linear time expression of what will be done in the grant funding period (typically 12, 24, 36, or 60 months). The milestones are the key steps within that time frame. Although a more fleshed out version is developed later in the proposal development process, beginning the project with some idea of how things “technically” will work is beneficial.
Strong timelines and milestones identify key tasks and activities from the logic model (and if you’re really good, tied to the stated objectives and outcomes), as well as those responsible for those tasks. They can appear as a simple vertical table with sequentially numbered steps (3a, 3b, 3c, etc.) or they can be presented in Gantt chart form. For longer grant timelines (2 years and more), timelines and milestones are usually broken out into quarters (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4), while shorter grant timelines will indicate month-to-month. Our consultants can help you identify the appropriate tasks and/or assist you in presenting them appropriately.
Timelines and milestones may seem insignificant, but they demonstrate to the funder that you have thought through program detail and logistics.
How can we help you?
- Determine or assist you in identifying key timelines and milestones (tied to your logic model) necessary to implement the project
- Consider, review, or modify all tasks, as well as those responsible, from the day funding is awarded until grant closure
- Consider, review, or modify multiple grant years and the overlap of activities
- Ensure elements outside of actual research, like the evaluation plan, are considered
- Prepare a visually appealing timeline with milestones to include in your proposal
Related Services
Building a Collaborative Team
Building a collaborative team is an important element for successful funding, as it an increasing requirement for funding.
Learn MoreCoaching & Training
Coaching and training are about capacity building. Our coaching and training services can offer support through broader nuanced processes such as grant writing or through developing evaluation plans, or more task-specific items.
Learn MoreOpportunity Landscape
The opportunity landscape is the who’s and what’s of the grant funding world, and it is varied, yet specific.
Learn MoreEarly Career Mentorship & Training
Early career mentorship and training services are geared towards researchers with less than 3 years of relevant work experience.
Learn MoreArticles and White Papers About Timelines & Milestones
M&E & Top Management: Involving Management is Essential to the Success of Monitoring and Evaluation
Articles and White Papers About Monitoring & Evaluation To RCT or Not? Randomized Control Trials in Nonprofit Work Read More Whose Job is it to Evaluate? Read More The Problem with Relying Solely on Dashboards Read More Finalizing Reports: Statements of Differences Read More Load More
Read More
How Should You Respond to the Changing Donor Profile?
Articles and White Papers About Impact Evaluation How Do You Conduct a Needs Assessment? Articles and White Papers About Need Assessments How Do You Conduct a Needs Assessment? Read More Why Should You Think About Needs Assessments? Read More Needs Assessments: Their Importance In Times of Crisis Read More Needs...
Read More
How Do You Reframe Your Long-Term Outcomes?
Articles and White Papers About Evaluation Logic Models How do You Develop an Evaluation Plan? Read More What Do You Need to Consider About Program Evaluation? Articles and White Papers About Considerations How do You Develop an Evaluation Plan? Read More How Do You Get Started With Your Program Evaluation?...
Read MoreFAQ About Timelines & Milestones
Funders will often specify where to put them. If this is not provided, consider putting your logic model in the Project Design or Evaluation sections. Regardless, you will want to refer to it throughout your proposal.
Logic models must succinctly articulate your program or research efforts in no more than 1 page. Distilling your content, in logic and text, proves a lengthy task.
Both objectives and specific aims are the specific statements to outline key steps and to define outcome measures in order to achieve overall goal or purpose. Different funding agencies or Unviersity guidance may have their own terminolofy requirement when writing a proposal. Therefore, objectives and specific aim terms sometimes could be interchangeable.
The concept is relevant to my trajectory if it aligns with and contributes to my intended path or goals, indicating its suitability and potential impact on my progress or development.
Your timeline should cover your proposal’s major milestones. Great timelines will also include those responsible at each point.
What Our Clients Say About Us
Peggy Ostrander, DNPc, APRN, FNP-C Plano, Texas