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Objective Work Plan (OWP) Description and Guidance

OMB Control Number:  0980-0204

Objective Work Plan (OWP) Description

Applicants must submit a proposed Objective Work Plan (OWP) with the project proposal.  The OWP is the blueprint for the project and identifies the project goal(s), objectives, supporting activities and results and benefits expected by the end of the project. It outlines the what, how, when, where, and by whom. As such, it is a stand-alone document that should provide sufficient information for an application reviewer, for ANA staff, or for a project manager to understand the project and how it will be implemented. The OWP is also the basis for the quarterly progress reports. 

It is recommended to use quantitative information where possible because it provides a more concrete description of how and when objectives are met.  To develop the objective statement, include the following basic elements:

  • Exactly what will be accomplished during the project period,
  • How well it will be done, expressed in quantity and/or degree of quality, and
  • When it will be accomplished during the project period.

Each objective statement should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound (SMART).

The OWP must include project objectives and activities for each budget period proposed and demonstrate that each of the objectives and activities:

  • is measurable and/or quantifiable in terms of results or outcomes;
  • supports the community's strategy to address ANA program goals;
  • clearly relates to other community long range goals;
  • can be accomplished with the available or expected resources during the proposed project period;
  • indicates when the objective and major activities under each objective will be accomplished using elapsed time from the start of the project and not absolute dates;
  • specifies who will conduct the activities under each objective; and
  • supports a project that will be completed, self-sustaining or financed by other than ANA funds at the end of the project period
The target numbers for the project objective(s) and results or benefits expected sections can be quantitative or qualitative (descriptive), but should correlate with one another.

OWP Guidance

A project cannot have more than three objectives per entire project period. An OWP must be completed for each objective for each budget period of the project period.  In multi-year projects, some objectives may continue for multiple budget periods.
Each section of the OWP should be completed according to the following instructions:

  1. Project. Identify your project title.
  2. Year. Identify the project year (e.g., 1, 2, or 3).
  3. ANA Goal. Identify the ANA goal you are addressing. (Economic Development; Social Development; Governance; Language Preservation; or Environmental Enhancement)
  4. Objectives. Objectives are specific accomplishments that your community has determined will be completed within the period of your proposed project. Completion of the proposed objectives must result in specific, measurable results. Narrative from the application must discuss how accomplishing the expected results will help the community meet its long range goals. The specific information provided for each objective is the standard upon which its achievement can be evaluated at the end of each budget year. 
  5. Activities.  For each objective, list activities that provide a road map to achieve the objective.  Each activity is a step in the logical progression of the project.  Include specific and significant activities (e.g. hiring staff, develop first draft), on-going activities (e.g. meetings and classes), the type of activity (e.g., workshop, retreat, and seminar), the type of audience, the submission of required ANA reports and attendance at ANA post-award training.  Especially useful are activities which show progress or results on a quarterly basis.  In the project narrative, explain how the activities outlined in the OWP will lead to the successful achievement of the project objectives and goal.
  6. Position Responsible.  Identify the position responsible for the completion of each activity by identifying the title(s) of the salaried project staff person(s) and non-salaried (paid or in-kind) contributors.  
  7. Time Period.  Identify realistic time periods to complete each activity. Use elapsed times from the start of the project (e.g. month 1, month 2, etc.) rather than absolute dates.  September 30 is the start date for each budget period. 
  8. Non-Salaried Personnel Hours.  Identify the non-salary personnel hours, including non-salaried contributors (paid or in-kind) to the project.  List hours according to who is providing them (e.g. Committee person -10 hours; ABC Consultant - 5 hours).  Provide supporting documentation in the proposal for the hours listed in this column. 
  9. The results and benefits expected section of the OWP is used to track the grantee’s quarterly progress of accomplishing an individual objective and should be broken down by quarter.  The results and benefits must directly relate to the activities that support the accomplishment of an objective in the OWP.  The results and benefits are used to monitor the project's quarterly progress and must include target numbers.  The criteria for evaluating the results and benefits expected are of the applicant's choosing and need to be documented and verifiable. 

Note:  The preceding instructions are recommended for the OWP form found on the ANA website www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ana/, which can be added as an attachment to an application on www.grants.gov.  This form allows for an unlimited number of activities and characters so applicants can adequately communicate the project plan. Electronic Applications: for applicants using the electronic form on www.grants.gov, each form is limited to only eight activities and each section has a limitation of 180 characters, which may not allow the applicant enough space to adequately communicate the project plan.  Furthermore, those applicants that use www.grants.gov must use absolute dates for time frame and can identify the source of the non-salaried personnel hours in the narrative.  Therefore, it is recommended that applicants use the OWP available on the ANA website and include the completed OWP(s) as an attachment to the www.grants.gov submission.