Making projects fly at the RSPB

As Head of Portfolio Office at the RSPB, I work with other colleagues across the nature and bird life conservation charity to oversee the support and development of our project and programme management approach.

As part of the Strategy and Impact Department, our role is to provide comprehensive support for projects and programmes, and to report on their contributions to the RSPB’s strategic goals, ensuring a clear ‘golden thread’ from the inception of an idea to the delivery of its benefits.

The Portfolio Office is dedicated to supporting our projects and programmes to achieve their highest potential. We are responsible for maintaining and updating the RSPB’s project management framework and tools, ensuring they remain relevant and effective. Additionally, we offer in-house training and support to anyone involved in projects, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

While we do not directly manage the project managers in the RSPB, we strive to cultivate a community of best practice through our Project and Programme Management Forum and have regular interactions with project stakeholders. I have been privileged to witness first¬-hand how our diverse range of projects drive our goals of conservation, sustainability and community engagement.

Many projects and partners

The RSPB is a charity dedicated to the conservation of birds and nature. We engage in large-scale conservation efforts, protect and restore vital habitats, and work tirelessly to save species from the brink of extinction. Our projects vary widely, encompassing habitat restoration, species recovery, policy advocacy and community engagement initiatives.

Operating as a charity presents ongoing challenges, with funding being a crucial consideration. Our initiatives rely heavily on donations, grants and membership fees, which means we must be agile and innovative in securing financial support. This dynamic environment often requires us to adapt throughout the life cycle of a project, adjusting to resource availability while consistently maintaining our commitment to the project’s goals.

Collaborating and balancing diverse interests

Once funding is secured, we recognise that collaboration is key to our success. Working with a wide range of partners – including our brilliant, dedicated volunteers in the local communities within which we work, and governmental organisations – enriches our projects and amplifies their impact.

We also collaborate with environmental partners and, on a global scale, with our BirdLife International counterparts. Balancing diverse interests while maintaining a clear project vision can be challenging, requiring patience, clarity and a deep understanding of the unique motivations of each stakeholder.

Strength in numbers

Engaging stakeholders early and often is critical for gaining buy-in and support for our initiatives. We have learned that involving local communities, partners and funders from the outset ensures their perspectives are integrated into project design and implementation.

This engagement enhances project outcomes and strengthens relationships, fostering trust and a sense of ownership among all parties involved. By collaborating effectively, we have achieved greater outcomes than we could have individually.

Five tips on managing projects

Embrace flexibility. The ability to adapt is crucial in the charity sector. Our projects must evolve in response to external factors, so maintaining flexibility in our project plans allows us to adjust to changing circumstances without losing sight of our objectives.
Foster strong relationships. Building and nurturing relationships with stakeholders is essential. Regular communication and collaboration not only enhance project outcomes but also cultivate a sense of shared ownership and commitment. By sharing our project management strategies with our partners, we highlight our capabilities and learn from their experiences. This peer-to-peer learning is vital for overcoming shared challenges and refining our approaches.
Celebrate small wins. In conservation, progress must sometimes be delivered incrementally, and successes can be a long way off. Recognising and celebrating small achievements helps maintain motivation and encourages teams to persevere through challenges.
Invest in capability. Empowering our project management community through collaboration, training, tools and development is vital. A knowledgeable and skilled team is better equipped to tackle complex challenges and drive innovation within our projects. Moreover, leveraging digital tools can revolutionise project management processes, aiding in tracking progress, assigning tasks and fostering effective communication across teams. These tools streamline operations and enhance collaboration and efficiency, ensuring smooth project execution.
Celebrate successes and learn from failures. Navigating the complexities of project management at the RSPB requires us to celebrate our successes while also committing time to learning from our failures through end-of-project reviews and gathering lessons.

David Kitchiner appeared on APM Podcast’s episode ‘Charity sector focus: growing project management’s maturity (and getting stuff done)’. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.