Grants Process Maturity Model for Local Government
The Grants Process Maturity Model (GPMM) is a framework that focuses on continuous improvement of grants management processes across five levels. Each level reflects how well a local government has defined, and follows, common and repeatable processes to effectively manage their grants. The first level describes local governments without repeatable processes, where much of the work is ad-hoc. At the highest level are local governments that use defined and repeatable processes, collect metrics to help them optimize their grants management processes, and, in some cases, become thought leaders and first-adopters. Because the
application of this model focuses on processes maturity rather than size of complexity of a local government, the GPMM framework can be applied to each of the three types of grants management structures described earlier. The five levels of the model are described below.
THE 5 LEVELS OF THE GRANTS PROCESS MATURITY MODEL
MEASURED
MANAGED
ESTABLISHED
DEFINED
UNDEFINED
Level 1 - Undefined
Grants management processes at this level are undefined. The management of grants is done ad-hoc. Documentation is limited and process are not repeatable.
Level 2 - Defined
Grants management processes are defined among immediate stakeholders or within each department, but not across the organization. Processes may be repeatable. There are no uniform guidelines to allow collaboration among departments within larger local governments.
Level 3 - Established
An organization has defined grants management processes and each department is tasked to follow the defined process. There is limited oversight, or none at all, to ensure that the defined process is adopted and followed.
Level 4 - Managed
An organization has defined grants management processes and each stakeholder or department is tasked to follow the defined process. There is clear oversight to ensure that the defined process is adopted and followed across the entire organization.
Level 5 - Measured
An organization has defined grants management processes that are clearly understood, adopted and followed across the entire organization. Performance is measured and information is used to continuously improve grants management. Performance data such as win rates, unutilized funds, and late tasks are available to managers.
Moving Up and Down Levels
As a local government moves up or down levels in this model, certain characteristics become more pronounced. As processes move up, efficiency improves, grants dollars increase and win rates generally get better. Overall capacity and capabilities improve, and projects are funded by more than federal grants. The effectiveness of a local government’s grants process is very high.
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ECIVIS - GRANTS MANAGEMENT
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