Project Managers! PMI Poland Chapter (PMI PC), as one of only two chapters in the world, has the unique opportunity to implement a pilot project in collaboration with a Polish foundation ‘Potrafię Pomóc’. The PMI PC community is particularly engaged in social initiatives, and this partnership, established in January 2024 with Project Managers Without Borders (PMWB), contributes even more to the common good. Sounds interesting? Read on.
PMI’s collaboration with PMWB exemplifies synergy and commitment to social change. Building on PMI Poland Chapter’s NGO community work, this initiative enhances partnerships with local non-profits. The PMI-PMWB project provides valuable resources and creates a replicable model for global initiatives. Our team’s success demonstrates how shared vision and collaboration can drive meaningful change worldwide, showcasing the power of project management in making a significant difference.
PMWB supports non-profits by providing project management resources. Partnering with local PMI chapters and volunteers, PMWB helps organizations grow from concept to execution, maximizing their impact and project success. In January 2024, PMWB became part of the PMI structure.
Imagine a non-profit organization passionately pursuing its mission, yet facing organizational obstacles. Our project bridges professional management with the heart of non-profits, aiming for true organizational transformation. We began with a deep audit, revealing strengths and areas for growth. Together, we crafted a transformation plan – a roadmap to efficiency. We helped build a structure where everyone knows their role and feels valued, sharing enduring knowledge like planting a tree that will bear fruit for years. We created a collaboration model to inspire and help others in the future. This pilot project isn’t just about supporting one foundation, it’s about empowering those who change the world daily by combining professionalism with passion.
Six Lessons Learned from the Project
Collaboration with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) requires a special approach that differs from standard business practices. Our experience with a project implemented in cooperation with PMWB allowed us to draw valuable conclusions that can serve as best practices.
1. Integration meetings to understand needs
Starting with integration meetings is crucial. These allow deep understanding of the NGO’s needs and challenges. Direct conversations help identify areas where support is most valuable and adapt to non-profit work specifics.
2. Building trust
Trust is vital in NGO partnerships. These organizations often operate with limited resources under pressure. We prioritized building trust through open communication and genuine commitment.
3. Thoughtful communication plan
We developed a plan considering volunteers’ and employees’ work specifics. Using varied communication channels ensured smooth information flow and quick response to challenges.
4. Regularity
Regular meetings and evaluations maintained work pace and improved collaboration. Weekly status meetings addressed issues promptly, while evaluation sessions allowed for deeper reflection and adjustments.
5. Joint action planning
Co-creating the action plan with the NGO partner was crucial. Involving them in every planning stage ensured a realistic plan that met their needs and capabilities. In conclusion, our experience with the project highlights how important it is to have an approach based on mutual understanding, trust, and close cooperation in partnerships with NGOs.
6. Signing commitments
Signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a crucial step in the project’s implementation. It allows for the formalization of cooperation between the involved parties, ensuring clear rules and expectations for both sides, as well as commitment.
What People Who Took an Active Part in the Project Have to Say About IT
‘Working in the project showed me how important and necessary it is to support non-governmental organizations in terms of projects. Often, such organizations run several or even a dozen projects at the same time, without having the knowledge of project management or the use of tools that could support them and improve the process. Substantive education, expert support, and learning the basic assumptions of project management are of great value to such organizations, as we found out thanks to this project. Such cooperation helps in better organization of resources, process management, and supports team communication. Thanks to this project, I learned that sometimes a small change can make a big difference!’ – Natalia Bartoszek
‘Working on this project, where I served as a Subject Matter Expert (SME), was an incredibly interesting experience for me. Supporting both the project team and the foundation itself in process management, I had the opportunity to engage in precise mapping and optimization of key areas. These efforts brought tangible benefits, such as improving internal communication and more effective resource management. Moreover, the international context of this project provided me with valuable experience, giving me a sense that I was contributing to something truly important and measurable, further enriching my professional perspective.’ – Łukasz Piwnicki
‘Overall, I am very proud that we were chosen as one of two chapters in the world to pilot this project. It is a great initiative that has given us both a lot of knowledge and the opportunity to share it with other non-governmental organizations. I am also proud of the entire team who worked very agilely and independently, successfully delivering the project. Congratulations to everyone involved!’ – Joanna Adamska
‘I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the completion of this project. Together, we have provided a strong foundation for the global development of this initiative within PMI, and our commitment is now an inspiration for other Chapters. Working on projects with real social impact is something I deeply value, which is why I feel truly privileged to be part of such an important initiative for PMI. I can’t wait for our upcoming projects.’ – Mateusz Łachacz
‘This project was special, supporting an organization that does significant good on a large scale. The PMI-PMWB partnership enabled our volunteers to directly support needy non-profits. We discovered true needs at the heart of these organizations and gained valuable experience. We shared our project management skills with those who often lack access, enabling them to better fulfill their missions. Though this project has ended, its story continues, and our commitment to helping others marks the beginning of a long, fruitful journey.’ – Kamila Chmielecka
The success of our project has been remarkable. We had the exceptional opportunity to share our experiences at the Global Summit in LA during a discussion panel preceding the PMWB workshop. We were honored to receive the PMWB Chapter Pilot Initiative digital badge. This prestigious recognition acknowledges our chapter’s valuable contributions to this important initiative and our commitment to utilizing project management skills to create positive change in collaboration with our non-profit partner, Potrafię Pomóc, and within our community. The Pilot Project was presented at PM4TheWorld, during this event, we had the privilege of sharing our experiences and demonstrating the impact of our initiative. In light of this success, we are preparing to launch additional editions that will focus on continuing our mission and fostering collaboration with non-governmental organizations. Interested volunteers are encouraged to apply at ngo@pmi.org.pl
[PL] Absolwentka Uniwersytetu Ekonomicznego we Wrocławiu, aspirująca Project Manager. Aktualnie Koordynatorka sprzedaży w IT, która nieustannie dąży do rozwoju zawodowego i osobistego. (Nie) urodzona liderka zdobywająca wiedzę i doświadczenie w wolontariacie PMI. Po godzinach, estetka, książkara i pilates princess.
[ENG] IT Coordinator focused on project management. Responsible for developing solutions to improve organizational processes and procedures. Works on creating new ways of working within the company. Outside of work, enjoys binge-reading books and being a Pilates princess.