By Nelisiwe Khusi
At the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR), we believe in growing our young professionals not just through fieldwork, but by empowering them to lead. That’s why Programme Manager, Rita Liebenberg, and Field Manager & Programme Assistant, Mark Jantjies, recently hosted a Project Execution Planning (PEP) session for our intern Purnille Albertyn and project support officer Somila Liwani.
This wasn’t your typical “sit-and-take-notes” kind of session. It was a hands-on, interactive planning workshop that used a real past GCBR project, one that the interns had previously assisted with in the field, as a case study. The aim? To guide them in drafting their very own mini-Project Execution Plans.
Our intern and project support officer were each given a budget to implement a project of their choice within six months, which aligns with the GCBR’s mission. This is to equip them with valuable skills in areas such as project planning, management, budgeting, and problem-solving, which will improve their professional development and prepare them for future careers. To learn more about previous interns’ projects, visit the following blog.
During the session, Rita and Mark broke down key components of a strong PEP, including:
- ✅ Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- 📋 Action steps
- 🗓 Timelines
- 💰 Budgeting
There were golden nuggets of wisdom from Rita like:
“The more research and preparation you do, the easier it is to adjust when changes occur.”
And trust us, those words hit home when your budget suddenly isn’t enough to cover everything you need to do, or your timeline decides to go on sabbatical 😅. Rita stressed that while the planning phase might be time-consuming, it’s important for successful execution. Challenges are inevitable, but a well-prepared plan gives you the flexibility to adapt and keep moving forward.
🗣️ Real Talk with the Interns:
We asked Somila and Purnille to share their thoughts after the session:
Q: How did the session help you understand project execution planning?
💬 Somila: “I’ve learned to pay attention to every detail, even the small ones, to create a solid plan for success.”
💬 Purnille: “The session helped me better understand execution planning. I’ve realised that I need to start with the key elements that will make the project a success.”
Q: What was your most valuable takeaway?
💬 Somila: “My main takeaway is understanding the necessary actions to achieve my goals and developing an effective plan.”
💬 Purnille: “Being prepared and conducting thorough research are crucial for a successful project. When you take the time to plan properly, the likelihood of success increases.”
Q: How do you feel about drafting your own PEP?
💬 Somila: “At first, I felt overwhelmed and confused, but after the session, I feel at ease and more confident in drafting my own PEP document.”
💬 Purnille: “I feel more comfortable and confident in drafting my own execution plan after the meeting with Rita and Mark.”
🎉 Wrapping it up: Bridging Knowledge and Action
This session wasn’t your typical sit-down-and-zone-out kind of workshop. Nope, it was filled with “aha” moments, creative thinking, and practical tools that will help Somila and Purnille lead their own mini projects with clarity and confidence. Thanks to Rita and Mark’s mentorship, the interns walked away with real-world planning skills and a solid framework they can apply again and again.
💡 Now It’s Your Turn – Can You Plan Like a GCBR Intern?
If you had to plan your own mini project, whether it’s restoring a wetland, launching a recycling campaign, or organising a community clean-up, where would you start? What key elements would go into your plan?
Put yourself in the interns’ shoes and try drafting your own mini-PEP! Here’s what you’ll need:
📝 Your mini-project plan
• 🎯 Project name: What are you solving or creating?
• ❓ Problem statement: What problem are you solving with your project?
• 📌 3 key action steps: What will get you there?
• 🗓 1 timeline goal: When should the magic happen?
• 🎲 1 “wildcard” challenge: What curveball might you face?
Then… share it with us! We dare you to think like a planner. Who knows? Your idea might just be the next community game-changer. 🌍
Let’s keep growing a generation of changemakers—one plan at a time.
