Answer:
A project manager must obtain buy-in from decision makers before planning a project to ensure stakeholder engagement and understanding. Feedback should be gathered throughout the project to adapt to changes and staff turnover, ensuring the project's success.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before moving into the planning phase, a project manager needs to receive buy-in from the decision maker(s). Buy-in is crucial for the success of a project as it involves ensuring that all stakeholders, including researchers, community stakeholders, and survivors, are on board with the project and understand the plan at hand. It is also important to solicit ongoing feedback during the project to make adjustments as needed. A project manager might conduct multi-day trainings to discuss process details and survey questions to ensure clarity and address any concerns that may arise. This involvement helps to maintain engagement and reduce issues that may result from staff turnover, which could potentially disrupt the project continuity.
Lesson Learned: The success of an evaluation project relies on the effective participation of all stakeholders, not just the lead or requester of the evaluation. Continuous engagement and openness to feedback strengthen the project's foundation, fostering a collaborative environment conducive to achieving the desired outcomes.