Whether you use an outside consultant or an internal consultant, responsibility for designing a project is shared between the client and the service provider. After all the client knows (or needs to know) how the project will eventually be assessed, by whom; and what will be required to put the recommendations into action.

Designing projects to achieve high-impact results becomes even more important when the economy is under threat, budgets get squeezed, and managers’ performance is under more intense scrutiny. I see this all the time in my consulting practice.

If, as many people predict, we’re heading into another recession in 2008, knowing how to scope and organize a project will become increasingly important. It could have a big impact on your ability to get the resources you need to achieve your business or department objectives.

Here’s an outline that can help you do that.