IDS relies on a professional and competent group of volunteers and board members who are experts in their respective fields. This expertise is used to drive, assess and manage projects. For example, projects are assessed in terms of size, project goals, resource availability, infrastructure and organizational flexibility. Project outcomes are assessed in terms of duration, costs and deliverables. The project management process includes team integration and interaction, communication, and networking with local communities and organizations (Prasad, et al., 2013).
IDS supports a project through out its entire lifecycle. An IDS project coordinator (volunteer or board member) is assigned at the inception of each project. The project coordinator will assess the viability of the project (including possible field visits) and helps the NGO write a project proposal. The deadline for all project proposals is December 31st. Through a competitive process all applications are then compared in terms of location, target community, target focus, quality of application, sustainability and impact. The project coordinator then works with the local NGO in India to ensure that the deliverables are met and proper documentation is provided to IDS.
Prasad, S., Tata, J., Herlache, L., & McCarthy, E. (2013). Developmental project management in emerging countries. Operations Management Research, 6(1-2), 53-73.