PORTFOLIO
Project Management
Here at KLB, we’ve taken the time to craft straightforward and effective project management processes to ensure all our projects are completed whilst maintaining customer satisfaction.
We lean on the following policies and procedures to guide our efforts:
Experienced Project Lead
KLB’s CEO, Kyra Knapp, is a well-practiced and successful project leader. Kyra has been responsible for projects ranging from large-scale infrastructure developments throughout Ontario (including Caldwell First Nation’s 28-unit sustainable housing project, and Shibogama First Nation Council’s Rapid Housing Initiative Projects) to leading Economic Development and Indigenous Engagement for RTO 12 Explorer’s Edge. She also managed the Tourism & Culture Portfolio at the Municipality of Leamington and developed/implemented the economic development portfolio for Caldwell First Nation and Ginawaydaganuc Village. Kyra has led internal staff, managed teams of trusted advisors and subcontractors, and overseen a third-party software development project all while managing funding applications, balancing budgets, maintaining KLB operations and staff, and developing strategic plans and corporate communications.
For the majority of our projects, Kyra is responsible for project execution, including team responsibilities, timelines, and budget tracking. She is the final sign-off for all expenses and will manage time tracker reports from all team members to ensure deadlines are met and communication with our clients is clear and concise.
Collaboration
We incorporate several levels of collaboration as part of our project development process. Our team, your team, and the community are ultimately one, leaning on each other for respective expertise and perspectives throughout the project period. We want to work side-by-side with our clients through all the challenges and successes and deliver final project deliverables that we collectively feel excited about and proud of.
In addition to the client and relevant project managers, we aim to incorporate representatives from within the community who can share insight into the current economic/living climate and provide vision for opportunity. We pride ourselves on our ability to have easygoing yet insightful conversations. We foster relationships with local experts and community members, with a particular interest in those who represent historically excluded peoples, to inform our deliverables.
Clear Expectations & Defined Team Roles
Our team is based on a spectrum of unique lived experiences, skills, and expertise, all of which will support and inform our projects in complementary ways. Our collaborative approach might be considered a bit unconventional by some, but we understand that strength-driven results mean bringing the right people to the table. To mitigate challenges, our comprehensive project management structure will keep each contributor aligned, on time, and collaborating as one.
Expert Team
Our team’s collective experience amounts to decades in economic development and strategic planning-relayed fields and includes economic and tourism strategy development, marketing & branding, community engagement, and equitable & inclusive practices. We distribute tasks to team members based on their skill sets, experience, and passions.
Our team understands first-hand the expectations and complexities of municipal organizations and their structures. Hands-on experience ensures that the Plan will consider and respect the capabilities and limitations of the Municipality (ie. staffing, capacity, funding, policies, and bylaws).
Utilization of a Communications & Consultation Plan (CCP)
Our team is well familiar with balancing multiple priorities and deadlines. To help us stay on track, we rely on a project management software called Smartsheets. For those unfamiliar, Smartsheets allows users to track and oversee project progress closely. We input the entirety of our project scopes into Smartsheets to track upcoming tasks, works in progress, and completed objectives. This helps maintain a clear picture of progress and trouble spots so we can address them proactively. Throughout our project journey team members input relevant notes to every action item. These notes form the materials for our bi-weekly reports.
Regular, Clear Communication
We’ll ensure regular project updates are shared with the Municipality, whether bi-weekly email updates or project calls. You’ll never wonder where we’re at in our project progress. We’ll make sure you’re always in the loop!
Interactive Analysis
Following in-depth research and engagement, we jump into analysis using SWOT framework which involves comparative analysis. We’ll do the heavy lifting and then sit down with your team to discuss our findings and vision. Before moving ahead through each project milestone, we will relay our vision back to the Town for discussion and, ultimately, approval.
On-the-Ground Presence
We know the value of being on-location. We will endeavour to be on-the-ground for a familiarization visit shortly after kick-off, followed by additional visits during community consultations and throughout the overall project duration as needed.
Environmental, Social, and Economic Sustainability & Justice
We know that strategic, sustainable, and community-led approaches to marketing can positively impact culture. We strive to create strategies that work for the greater good of the communities we serve and the public at large. This requires an intentionally inclusive process to ensure all people and industries of diverse backgrounds & identities are consulted and considered in the development process.
Evaluation & Assessment
We provide a clear evaluation program that will help you measure the success of the Plan within the region. This may consider visitation growth, economic impact, local community industries partnerships, and sustainable development indicators.