# Chapter 248

When you start a project, ask this question: what does it look like when it’s done? - Masterminds

In my particular section of the non-profit and International Worker segment of the world, this question has never been asked and should be asked every single time! It has never been asked and I am not sure why, because lots of smart people are working in these areas. Perhaps it is enthusiasm overload, but I don’t think so really. Perhaps it is office management policies but I don’t think so. Perhaps it is the lack of smart, well trained people on the task, but I don’t think so. It seems to me that the real reasons this question is never asked are two-fold: because of the urgency of the situation, or because of intent to never end, at the beginning.

Many of the NGO’s I work with are at least partially working with and around disaster relief. Disaster relief requires a very quick response, and sitting down over coffee and planning for the what the end looks like is just not easily done. I give you that. But I would argue that these NGO’s can and should (and some have) have guidelines and principles in place, so that they will know when a project is done. However since disasters are also their primary fund-raising system, the end of the disaster is not sought after very eagerly. The International Worker has the same problem, his or her’s project generates all the funds, so why would I want it to be done?

This question/suggestion though, is posed by our entrepreneur group in the light of business. I would argue that no project planning is complete until someone can and will describe what it looks like when it is done, and not just in business, but in the NGO and IW fields as well. In business you aren’t using OPiuM (other people’s money) so you can’t let projects run on and on until infinity. They are costing you money and resources .