Project management for nonprofits with Jami Yazdani

2/3/2025

“At its core, project management is about helping people work together.”
— Jami Yazdani

In episode 116 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton interviews Jami Yazdani, a nonprofit project management expert specializing in helping organizations achieve their goals effectively. The conversation:

  • Focuses on the nuances of project management in mission-driven organizations, 

  • Offers practical insights for nonprofit leaders to balance strategic vision and operational execution. 

  • Emphasizes prioritization, clear communication, stakeholder inclusion, and sustainable planning as critical to success. 

Episode Highlights:

[00:06:31] Misconceptions About Project Management

  • Beyond Timelines: Project management is more than deadlines; it’s about facilitating collaboration, stakeholder management, and creating clarity.

  • Key Skills: Building motivation and gathering diverse input from team members.

[00:09:01] Stakeholder Management

  • Starting with Stakeholders: Identify who needs to be involved, aiming for inclusivity to avoid resistance later.

  • Role Definition: Clarify roles to streamline communication and decision-making.

[00:12:09] Communication Planning

  • Strategic Communication: Plan outreach throughout the project lifecycle and beyond to ensure sustainability.

  • Continuous Adjustment: Regularly revisit and revise communication strategies as the project progresses.

[00:14:47] Writing a Clear Project Scope

  • The Power of One Sentence: Jami shares a template to define projects succinctly, focusing on the "why," the action, the outcome, and the deadline.

[00:17:06] Defining a Project vs. Program

  • Temporary vs. Ongoing: Projects are temporary efforts to create unique outcomes, while programs represent ongoing operations.

  • Examples: Developing a leadership program vs. running it long-term; implementing a CRM system vs. its daily use.

[00:23:02] Transition from Strategic Planning to Implementation

  • Bridging the Gap: Translate strategic goals into actionable steps with timelines, resources, and accountability.

  • Realism in Planning: Focus on achievable initiatives and build a culture of revisiting plans regularly.

[00:29:00] Accountability and Engagement

  • Sustaining Momentum: Involve stakeholders consistently through updates and visibility in meetings, newsletters, or other platforms.

  • Board Involvement: Assign board champions to initiatives for shared accountability and resource advocacy.

[00:36:07] Invitation to Nonprofit Leaders

  • Permission to Prioritize: Jami advises leaders to focus on a few high-priority initiatives and delegate or set aside less critical tasks.

  • Leadership Development: Delegate responsibilities to empower team members and prepare future leaders.BIO

Guest Bio:
Jami Yazdani is a project management and planning consultant with over 18 years of experience leading innovative and impactful initiatives. She spent more than 14years in leadership roles in higher education and libraries, managing teams,projects, and change. Jami founded Yazdani Consulting and Facilitation in 2018 to help mission-driven organizations lead more impactful projects, teams, and planning. She has served on the boards of non-profits and associations in leadership, marketing, programming, and mentoring roles. Jami holds Master's degrees in Technology Management and Library and Information Science and ProjectManagement Professional (PMP), Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM), ChangeManagement, and Wicked Problem Solving Practitioner certifications.

Important Links and Resources:

Jami Yazdanihttps://yazdaniconsulting.com/
https://linktr.ee/yazdanicf
https://yazdaniconsulting.com/impactful-blog
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcWWX8w7MtE
https://yazdaniconsulting.com/resources/2022/2/7/5-key-elements-worksheet


Related Episodes:

Episode 64:  More efficient operations 
Episode 84: Identifying the skills your team needs to bring your strategic plan to life 

Be in Touch:
✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting
💻 Give us feedback on the show
📚Find the books referred to on Mission: Impact
👥 Like what you heard? Please share the podcast with a colleague or friend
🌟 Help more people learn about Mission: Impact by leaving a rating & review.
😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn

LISTEN + SUBSCRIBE
APPLE PODCASTS SPOTIFY

Previous
Previous

Grounded presence for nonprofit leaders in chaotic times with Danielle Marshall

Next
Next

Strategic thinking for nonprofits with Michael Butera