PCM - Project Approach Guidelines

These Guidelines have been prepared to support ongoing improvements in the quality of EC development assistance. Quality is defined primarily in terms of the relevance, feasibility and effectiveness of the programmes and projects supported with EC funds, including how well they are managed. More specifically, the Guidelines aim to support good management practices and effective decision making throughout the project management cycle – from programming, through to identification, formulation, implementation and evaluation. The Guidelines aim to promote consistency and clarity of approach, while allowing for the operational flexibility required of a dynamic and diverse external assistance programme.

The Guidelines therefore provide:

• A description of the policy framework within
which EC development assistance is provided,
and the role of the project in relation to other
aid delivery modalities;1
• An operational framework within which staff of
the RELEX family (EuropeAID, DG Development
and DG External Relations) and other
stakeholders can make effective and timely
decisions related to Project Cycle Management;
• A description of key tasks, quality assessment
criteria, documented information requirements
and decision options at each stage of the cycle;
• A description of key tools that support effective
PCM; and
• A resource to support training in PCM.

The Guidelines should be used as an important reference and resource, but not as a substitute for experience, professional judgment and initiative.