Projects

 Project management is the discipline of planning, organizing, securing, managing, leading, and controlling resources to achieve specific goals. A project is a temporary endeavor with a defined beginning and end (usually time-constrained, and often constrained by funding or deliverables), undertaken to meet unique goals and objectives, typically to bring about beneficial change or added value. The temporary nature of projects stands in contrast with business as usual ( or operations), which are repetitive, permanent, or semi-permanent functional activities to produce products or services. In practice, the management of these two systems is often quite different, and as such requires the development of distinct technical skills and management strategies.

The primary challenge of project management is to achieve all of the project goals and objectives while honoring the preconceived constraints. Typical constraints are scope, time, and budget. If any of the three constraint change then the Quality will be affected. The secondary—and more ambitious—challenge is to optimize the allocation of necessary inputs and integrate them to meet pre-defined objectives.

Botswana Examinations Council has adopted a Managing By Project (MBP methodology). This methodology defines that each and every project that is implemented at the BEC should follow the defined method of Initiating, Planning, Execution, Control and Monitor; as well as the Close Out method. BEC project are implemented basing on the themes in the BEC Strategic Scorecard. These projects are meant to address and improve on the operations and when the need for such a project is established.

The following projects are currently being implemented here at BEC as at 2012 07 24.

1. Botswana National Examinations Processing System (BNEPS)

The scope of the BNEPS project includes the design, supply and implementation of the BNEPS solution within BEC as specified in the Scope Of User Requirements. This is a turnkey project and covers all aspects of the solution including software, data take-on/migration, hardware, training, support and ongoing maintenance services. 

2. Implementation of the International Standards Organization 9001:2008

The primary objective of this project is to implement ISO 9001: 2008 for BEC as a base for its quality management system by March 31st, 2011. This project has been rebase lined to be completed by  30 June 2012.

• The secondary objective is that the Implementation of the ISO be conducted through a facilitative process whereby the project manager coaches, mentors and supports the BEC team to achieve sustainability of the defined quality management system.

3. Implementation of the Change Management Project

The primary objective of the Change Management Project is to design, develop and implement a BEC Change management strategy and methodology by May 2012, to support BEC strategic projects in managing change and effectively transition BEC and its staff towards achieving the BEC vision.

4. National Assessment Policy

The primary objective of the Change Management Project is to design, develop and implement a BEC Change management strategy and methodology by May 2012, to support BEC strategic projects in managing change and effectively transition BEC and its staff towards achieving the BEC vision.

Some projects are being implemented at operational level and both with Strategic projects contribute to the overall BEC Strategic objective of an increased Customer and Stakeholder satisfaction.