STARTING PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

©2006 William Holmes

Program Development

University of Massachusetts at Boston

OVERVIEW OF STARTUP

Seeking Development Opportunities Contracting and Agreement for

Development Determining Readiness for

Development Establishing Collaborative Networks

SEEKING OPPORTUNITIES

External Independent Internal

WORD OF MOUTH:ADVANTAGES

High impact High trust Reflects performance Very effective Frequent results

WORD OF MOUTH:DISADVANTAGES

Serendipitous Chancy Can be negative More reflects most recent May be based on that which

you have no control

NETWORKING:ADVANTAGES

Uses existing relationships Develops new skills More enjoyable Benefits own network

NETWORKING:DISADVANTAGES

Can be slow process Restricted to own network Can be seen as manipulative

PRIOR EMPLOYERS:ADVANTAGES

Uses existing relationship Work may have begun Knowledge of organization Less gap between employer

and consultant

PRIOR EMPLOYERS:DISADVANTAGES

Limited in number Can create dependencies Affected by unresolved issues

WEB SITES:ADVANTAGES

Expected by technologically oriented

Available to whole world Easily updated Built-in solicitation

WEB SITES:DISADVANTAGES

Others initiate contact Expensive initial development Needs maintenance Limited to internet access

PRINTED MATERIALS:ADVANTAGES

Proactive contact Controlled Content Known medium Widely distributable

PRINTED MATERIALS:DISADVANTAGES

Expensive Much waste Difficult to distribute Less frequently used Difficult to update

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS:ADVANTAGES

Interest already high Desire for work high Expectations clear Identification easy

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS:DISADVANTAGES

Time-consuming proposals Competition Opportunity costs Fixed costs Proposal may be used without

compensation

MEDIA VISIBILITY:ADVANTAGES

Publications used Presentations heard Interviews noticed Emotional rewards Financial rewards

MEDIA VISIBILITY:DISADVANTAGES

Requires writing skills Requires speaking skills Requires extensive investment Delay between media exposure

and results

CONTRACT AGENCIES:ADVANTAGES

They do soliciting Provides stability Allows on work on side Existing infrastructure

CONTRACT AGENCIES:DISADVANTAGES

Lower pay Less flexibility in work Less control over work Less visibility for you

CONTACT TIPS

Learn about organization and program Share what you’ve done Share results of your successes Maintain visibility in organization Obtain a mentor or sponsor Encourage word of mouth Meet informally with people

MEETING WITH CLIENTS

Is there work to be done? Can you work together? Does the client have sufficient power

and resources? What is presenting problem? Is there an underlying problem? Is there readiness for change?

ESTABLISHING READINESS FOR CHANGE: 1

Has there been prior efforts at change? How do people feel about presenting

problem? Have people expressed desire for

change? Has the problem had broader

consequences?

ESTABLISHING READINESS FOR CHANGE: 2

What resources are available for project?

What is fit of mission and activity? How long has problem existed Why change desired now?

HOW WOULDYOU IDENTIFY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR

DEVELOPMENT?