How to Avoid a Lemon: 5 Tips to Selecting an Outstanding Eagle Project

(Photo: glintle)

Picking an Eagle Project isn’t rocket science.  It shouldn’t require CAD modelling nor should it require a unanimous vote from a shareholder board.  It does, however, require some amount of planning so that you don’t end up with a project that you look back on and say, “Man, that was a total nightmare.” Or even worse, having a project that fizzles out into a dead black hole of existence.

Introduction

Remember, the purpose of an Eagle Project is to allow you, the Eagle Scout candidate, the opportunity to bring your leadership qualities to light.  It challenges you to learn something and grow from your experiences.  The last thing that it should do is keep you up all night worrying.

Approach

Below, I have outlined 5 Tips to Selecting an Outstanding Eagle Project.  Follow these guidelines and you may find that you’re having more fun (and sleeping better) than you would’ve thought:

1.  Fill a genuine need

When you’re beginning to look for a project, don’t go to every single non-profit in your area with your salesmen hat on trying to “sell” an Eagle Project.  This method typically catches the organization off-guard and causes planning lagtimes that delay your scheduling.  Filling a need is actually easier than creating demand for a service project.  Therefore, reduce wasteful projects by finding non-profits that actually need something done.

Find that non-profit that has been waiting years to build a new walkway or re-mulch their nature trail.  Often they will be so excited that they won’t leave you alone about the project.  They may even want you to complete it faster than you originally planned.  Urgency is actually useful because it ushers in a speedy work ethic which allows you to finish sooner.  Need a tip on how to do this fast?  Check out this post on “Hacking Eagle Project Ideas using the Internet.”

2.  Pick a project that interests you

There are a million ways to skin a cat, as they say, and an Eagle Project is really no different.  The challenge is finding a project that you can enjoy and derive some benefit from after your work is complete.  Projects you enjoy tend be more productive because you’d always like to get to the next milestone.  This method lends itself to “time flies when you’re having fun.”

Eagle Projects that are fun should be the goal.  You’ll find that your volunteer teams will have more fun if you are truly passionate about what you are doing.  Happy volunteers traditionally work better as well.

3.  Get a feel for who you’d be working with

Relationship building is a critical element in the Eagle Project Management process that is often overlooked.  The organization sponsor is your connection to the non-profit that you are supporting so spend at least 30 minutes to 1 hour during your first meeting touring the facilities or grounds and getting to know them.

This step builds trust and understanding between you and the organization sponsor.  Your sponsor will be more likely to go the extra mile for you in making sure your bases are covered for everything that you need if they can relate to you a little bit.  This can be especially valuable when time is dwindling and stress levels are increasing.

4.  Assess your overall time and resource constraints

Before you select your project, be sure to think about what you are capable of doing.  It may be easier to choose a project that requires bridge building vs. fence building if that is something your troop has done in the past.  You’ll have blueprints and already a team that knows how to build bridges.  Addtionally, think about the amount of time some projects require.  Every project is not made equal and in some cases, a ridiculously complex project might not suit you if you only have 3 months till your 18th birthday.

Choosing projects without regard to what capabilities or how much time you have is borderline reckless.  Remember, “Rome wasn’t built in one day,” and neither will your project.  As fast as you think you can build something, it will always take longer because of planning, logistics, fundraising, etc.

5.  Ask yourself, “How ambitious do I want to be?”

Your project doesn’t have to save the world, although it could (check out Aaron Blackwell’s Eagle Project Blog to see how he brought water to African villages).  Eagle Projects are a means for you to learn and display leadership capabilities in a setting that benefits the community.  You will find yourself juggling school, sports, girls, etc. along with your Eagle Project’s planning and development.  Depending on how well you can manage everything else other than your project will play a role in what project you end up selecting.

Closing

There is no right or wrong Eagle Project as each is unique in its own way.  There is a process however surrounding your decision making to go with one project over another.  Each step should be carefully weighed so that the project fits the person rather than the other way around.  With  a better match up, you’ll be more productive and ultimately finish faster than you would have otherwise.

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About the Author: Eric Chrabot is a business strategy consultant to the federal sector and a member of the Project Management Institute in Washington, D.C.  In 2004, he received the rank of Eagle Scout from Troop 401 (Tidewater Council) after leading a team to create five park benches for a local retirement organization.  Eric holds a lifetime membership status in the National Eagle Scout Association and a Business Economics degree from Virginia Tech.

For more information on how you can manage your project more effectively and efficiently, please see our Eagle Project Solutions Products page.

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