My Works
Projects, which is a part of the standard MS
Works package bundled free with Windows PCs, is a simple 'To Do'
list tool to keep track of all steps needed to manage an action
plan.
Whether ready-made,
or created from blank projects, a My Works Project plan is based on
wpj files, each of which can contain a list of 'To
Dos'. Each 'To Do' can be linked with a calendar date and an
associated file. The associated items can be another wpj file, a
word processor document, spreadsheet or database. This allows
all of the project-related information for a particular management
plan to be stored in one place as a set of hyperlinked
files.
The following
ready-made set of five wpj files is suitable for organising and
running a community wildlife conservation plan. The files
have been prepared by CWIC to help communities learn about
conservation management by using them to input indformation about
what they are already doing or intend to do. More importantly,
it will generate critical feedback on the limitations of such a
system and how it has to be improved. These suggestions for
improvements are essential to CWIC in order that a general purpose
community CMS can be developed.
Each 'To Do' is
posed as a question, and its purpose is described with an attached
note.
The file collection
may downloaded as a WINZIP file and extracted into a special
folder. From there they may be opened directly by mouse-clicking.
They should only take a few seconds to download.
CLICK HERE TO
DOWNLOAD (no longer available)
The following text
describes the function of each of the five files in
turn.
1 Plan
for...
This normally sets the reserve into its
geographical area, compares the reserve with series of reserves of
similar nature elsewhere in the Country/Vicinity and describes the
features. The features of a site are the biological
(habitats/species), geological and infrastructure (e.g.paths/gates)
that are going to be managed.
2 Features
for...
This is accessed
from Plan for... The wpj lists all the elements of the site that
are going to be managed. Each feature is linked to another wpj
which sets the objective for managing it.
3 Objective
for...
This asks for the
latest measurement of an attribute of one of the features of the
habitat or species; e.g. the number of individuals of a particular
species per unit area. It then asks for a value for the attribute,
such as the number of individuals per unit area, when the
population is thriving. This value defines the favourable
state of the species as a management objective. The difference
between these two values indicates how far the feature is from its
favourable state. The attribute is measured from time to time
by means of monitoring projects, which yield performance indicators
of the effectivness of management. Routes to action are
accessed from the 'Objective for...' form via an attached wpj which
lists the important factors that affect the condition or state of
the feature in a positive or negative way (e.g. food plants;
shelter; predators). Managing these factors opens up the
routes to action. Each factor is the basis of an action plan,
which details the work to be done in order to move the population
towards the its favourable condition or state. There may be
several factors associated with each objective, each of which will
require a separate route to action.
4 Routes
for...
Each route to action
applies to one of the factors which helps or impedes the management
plan reaching its goal. The actions required are set out in a 'To
Do' wpj attached to each route. These routes to action are
sometimes described as 'management prescriptions'.
5 Actions
for...
This has 'To Dos' which ask:
What work has to be
done?
This is a summary
description of the work that has to be done to meet a particular
objective by controlling one of its factors.
How are you going to do
it?
This is a description of the
work that has to be done in terms of procedures and
methods.
Who will do it?
This is a list of the people
who will carry out the work.
When will they do it?
This is a calendar item that
schedules the work to begin on a particular date, and says how long
it will take.
What will they need?
This is a list of any
special tools or equipment required and schedules when they will be
needed.
Where will it be done?
This describes where the
work has to be done and is linked to an annotated map of the
site.
How much will it cost?
This is the budget allowance
for the work.
When was it actually
done?
Sometimes work schedules
tend to slip so it is important to record when the work was
actually carried out. This can be set out in an associated Works
document (wordprocessor, spreadsheet or database) and attached to
the To Do.
What did it actually
cost?
Did the project fall within
budget?
When was it actually
done?
Sometimes work schedules
tend to slip so it is important to record when the work was
actually carried out.
Who actually did the
work?
Sometimes there has to be a
change in manpower from the time the work was originally scheduled
so it is import to record those who actually carried out the
work.
Any problems?
It is important to record
any unforseen problems associated with the work, particularly those
that prevented its successful completion.
State of habitat or species
after?
It is important to monitor
the effect of the work on the state of the habitat or species. This
is achieved by measuring an attribute of the habitat or species at
a suitable interval after the work was carried out, and compare it
with the state at the time the work was done. This will provide a
performance indicator of management.
State of habitat or species
before?
It is important to monitor
the effect of the work on the state of the habitat or species. This
is achieved by measuring an attribute of the habitat or species at
a suitable interval after the work was carried out, and compare it
with the state at the time the work was done. This will provide a
performance indicator of management.
Who needs reports?
Reports on the action plan
and its outcome should be sent to all those people and
organisations, such as sponsors, strategic planners and members of
the community.
