This is part 3 of a 4-part series on project management in church ministry.
The post suggests some tools: Basecamp, Asana, Trello. However, tools and technologies are mere enablers. These can automate and expedite processes and procedures; but it is more important to know a process before automating it. Automating a bad process will merely result in bad outcome sooner! On the other hand, often times, refining, streamlining, optimizing and ameliorating a manual process can reap gains (better), reduce costs (cheaper), and expedite results (faster). Thence, automating a better process will hasten the desired outcome, realizing greater gain and lower cost.
Even if we have an effective process, however, we still need the proper tools to efficiently execute the process. If we have a hammer then everything becomes a nail; but a hammer is the wrong tool for painting. Furthermore, a hammer may be a good tool for hitting metal nails, but a sledge hammer is a better tool for hitting iron spikes. It has been asserted: “A fool with a tool is still a fool!” Thus, even if we have the proper tool, we still need to be educated (know what it is and why it is used) and trained (what it is used for and how to use it) on the tool.
Remember the words of wisdom from the Proverbs:
“The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” (Proverbs 12:15)
“The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.” (Proverbs 14:8)