How often do the projects that we work on change people's lives?

Most of us spend our time doing our work breakdown structures and critical path scheduling in the world of software development. We go through the motions of getting the requirements from fickle users that we know will change their minds as soon as we document what they just said. Am I right?

Well, imagine a project that is so well rehearsed that it hardly changes scope from initiation to close-out. Also imagine a project that the stakeholders are so happy to receive that they cry on delivery. Their project is so important that it changes their lives! That organization is Habitat for Humanity.

I recently visited with Dean Illingworth, the Executive Director, and Sheila Carlson, the Development and Community Relations Manager for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis. I asked Dean about the impact of Habitat. ‘Worldwide Habitat has built 250,000 homes, we have housed 1,250,000 people. Since we have been talking (here today), Habitat (International) has built 2 houses!'

Habitat for Humanity International builds a home every 10 minutes somewhere in the world. A typical Indiana build will cost around $70,000 for the needed materials. In addition, a whole host of compassionate contributions are delivered during the build. Some consistent support comes from the following: Stanley Security Systems donates tools, Lowe's donates some of the supplies and gives discounts on materials, Carrier donates HVAC systems and labor which is a huge savings, and Delta faucet contributes fixtures and plumbing help.

How long does it take? Almost like clockwork, the execution phase or build is done in 6 weeks. This will involve the coordination of 280 volunteers in that timeframe. Sheila works hard to make sure that volunteers feel good about their time on a build site. ‘I want everyone that is involved to have a quality experience'.

Habitat wants to set people up for success, so the homeowners are carefully selected by the Family Selection Committee. This group is made up of many volunteering professionals that evaluate the applications and suggest steps for families not selected on how to improve their situation to the point of being selected. 300 sweat equity hours are required by the selected homeowners. That includes 100 classroom hours on budgeting, checking, understanding your mortgage statements, and working with vendors on home repairs and maintenance. The first task of a selected family is to put sweat into the home of another selected family. They live the lesson of community service. This act of helping others combined with the work equity on their own home amounts to 200 hours. Habitat has also recently added educational subjects for kids as well, like what to do when something breaks, learning to save money, helping parents keep up with the house and yard, and changing batteries in the smoke alarm.

It is really refreshing to see an organization with a bottom line that changes people's lives. Since 1987, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis has completed 330 projects. This effort has made a difference, not just to the neighborhoods, but also to the occupants. The moms, dads and kids that live in these homes are real people that turn the Close-out activities of the project into the new beginning of their lives. It's a whole new way to think about a project.

If you think your organization would like to help build a house or just ask some questions, please call Sheila Carlson at 317-921-2121 or email her at scarlson@indyhabitat.org. You can also get more info at www.indyhabitat.org.