Feed My Chennai : An Achievement and a Puzzle

Abstract

Projects typically involve change - the creation of something new or different with a beginning and an end. A project is commonly defined as a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique result. Organizations undertake projects for a wide variety of reasons, and manage these projects through their life-cycle using different project management tools and techniques with different levels of formal monitoring and control. Despite the availability of a vast amount of literature and best practices for successful projects, a significant percentage of projects across industries fail to achieve their intended business objectives. This case study, on the other hand, documents a project initiated and undertaken by a group of leaders, belonging to different organizations, in their individual capacity. The project was to feed the migrant labourer and others left stranded in the city of Chennai due to the countrywide lockdown imposed in light of COVID-19 pandemic during late March to May, 2020. While the lockdown affected all sections of the society, migrant workers and daily labourers were among those most severely affected as they were left without work, money, and in many cases without a place to stay. Media and social media were full of stories of people struggling to get food and ration. During this time a group of people took up the humanitarian initiative to serve warm, nutritious meals with the dignity they deserved. For Feed My Chennai, a structure was put up in just five days that ensured 9 lac meals were served over 34 days in the city of Chennai. In parallel, finances poured in from all quarters to sustain the project. What contributed to this success? Was it the nature of the situation? Was it inherent in the business personalities who associated with it? Or, was it the drive of the volunteers who worked for it? Was there more to it?