Recent Federal Emergency Relief Funding packages or spending bills provide for development and construction of various types of infrastructure from water and sewer systems, drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, roads, bridges, to broadband infrastructure. Tribes have the opportunity to develop or repair existing infrastructure and will need to know how to plan and initiate projects; plan for time and cost, stay within budget, identify project risks, communications, manage the project, track progress, report performance and bring the project to proper closeout.

The purpose of project management is to plan and manage the project to a successful completion accomplishing the listed goals and deliverables.  It involves identifying and managing risks, resource utilization and management, budgeting, and clear communications.  There are several project management methodologies, all intended to accomplish the same goal – a completed and quality project.  Tribes can manage projects or hire outside expert construction management service (CMS) providers, but in any event, tribes must have in-house knowledge of project management to ensure contractor compliance.

This course provides the basics or fundamentals of project management, how to identify the scope of the project; how to develop goals, deliverables, and timelines; develop and monitor the budget; identify and address risks; and stay within contract scope of work and contract terms.  Other aspects of project management unique in Indian Country relates to the tribe’s sovereignty and compliance with tribal laws and ordinances.