I enjoyed working for construction projects for many years. In construction projects, engineers are always able to give a value for work completed. However, in development projects since it is not easy to place such a measured value we could be in danger of citing low cost as an exaggerated benefit.
While I am not aiming a bow and arrow at any organization or government, in theory and practice it is possible that their could be bitter misunderstandings of cost and performance if there is a poor measurement criteria for social development.
Consider a 5-year development project costing $50m, the budget projected for the next 2-1/2 years is $25 million, a number that reflects the expected value, in technical input and equipment at the halfway mark. Let’s say when you reach this point, you have spent only $20m. Some project managers would say, “we are under budget.” But what if you are behind schedule so that the value of the work is only $15 million. This is not under budget at all. It is a $5 m overrun.
Social development project managers, just be aware of this.
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