Free Tools

Tools for projects that excel.


Practical templates from First Hire for every stage of the project cycle. Download one, fill in the brackets, delete what you do not need, and get on with the work.

10 TEMPLATES WORD AND EXCEL FREE TO USE BUILT FOR OECS PROJECTS

Templates

Initiate Word

Project Charter

Agree what the project is, why it matters and who is accountable before work starts.

Inside

  • Overview, background and objectives
  • Scope, deliverables and milestones
  • Budget, stakeholders and key risks
  • Governance, success criteria and sign-off
Plan Excel

Work Breakdown Structure

Break the project into phases, work packages and tasks, with owners, dates and costs.

Inside

  • Numbered WBS codes with automatic levels
  • Owner, start and finish dates for each item
  • Working days and costs rolled up to each phase
  • Instructions tab with example data to overwrite
Plan Excel

Risk Register

Log each risk, score it before and after action, and see where your exposure sits.

Inside

  • Register with inherent and residual scoring
  • Live heat map that updates as you score
  • Editable lists for categories and rating bands
  • Instructions tab with a worked example
Download Risk Register template (Excel) 4 tabs, with a live heat map
Procure Word

Terms of Reference

Brief consultants clearly so bidders know the task, the team you need and how they will be judged.

Inside

  • Background, objectives and scope of work
  • Deliverables, schedule and reporting lines
  • Team qualifications and client inputs
  • Payment, evaluation criteria and what to submit
Procure Excel

Bid Evaluation Matrix

Score bidders on technical merit and price, and rank them with the workings in plain view.

Inside

  • Setup tab for tender details, weights and criteria
  • Weighted technical scoring for each bidder
  • Financial scoring from evaluated prices
  • Combined ranking of up to five bidders
Download Bid Evaluation Matrix template (Excel) 5 tabs, weighted scoring and ranking
Execute Word

Progress Report

Report progress against milestones, budget and risks in a format that stays short.

Inside

  • Executive summary and status at a glance
  • Progress against milestones
  • Activities completed and planned
  • Budget, risks, changes and decisions needed
Execute Excel

Variation and Change Log

Record every change request and track its cost, time effect and decision.

Inside

  • Change log with status and decision tracking
  • Cost and time effect recorded for each change
  • Summary that updates automatically
  • Editable lists for reasons and status
Download Variation and Change Log template (Excel) 4 tabs, with an automatic summary
M&E Word

Results Framework

Set out results, indicators and targets so progress can be measured and reported.

Inside

  • Plain-language guide to each results level
  • Framework with baselines, targets and verification
  • Indicator reference sheets
  • A worked example indicator to copy
Close and learn Word

Handover Checklist

Make sure nothing is left behind when the asset passes to its owner.

Inside

  • Six checklists with owner, due date and evidence
  • Documents, keys, access and equipment
  • Training, money and contracts
  • Open items and signed acceptance
Close and learn Word

Lessons Learned Workshop

Run a lessons-learned session and turn what you hear into actions.

Inside

  • Preparation steps and a timed agenda
  • Ground rules and prompt questions by area
  • Capture sheets for what worked and what did not
  • Recommendations, actions and a sponsor summary

Using the templates

Replace the brackets

Every placeholder sits in [square brackets]. Fill each one in and the document is yours.

Delete what does not fit

The templates suit a typical project. Remove any section, row or tab your project does not need.

Check your funder's rules

Donors and lenders often require their own formats. Confirm their requirements before you submit.

Need a hand completing one?

Tell us where your project stands and we will help you finish the document and use it well.