Habitat for Humanity (HFH): Management of Volunteers and Build Sites Using Technology

During our interactive qualifying project we worked with Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester to identify information management systems that would more efficiently track volunteer hours and communicate build site timelines. The implementation of technology into HFH’s volunteer and project management will allow them to grow as an organization and provide more affordable housing to residents in their area.

Project Sponsor: Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Their mission is to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope.

As a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry that builds with people in need regardless of race or religion, HFH welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds.

This organization has more than 1,400 local affiliates in the United States and more than 70 national organizations around the world. Together, they have helped 6.8 million people improve their living conditions since the founding in 1976.

To find out more information about Habitat for Humanity, MetroWest/Greater Worcester, follow this link!

Student Researchers

(from left to right):Andrew Bauer (Mechanical Engineering), Chris Xavier (Chemical Engineering), Anna Schozer (Chemistry) and Erin Bracken (Mechanical Engineering)

Project Goals & Objectives

This project helped Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester improve communications and operations by piloting and recommending an information management system to more efficiently communicate build site timelines and track volunteer hours. We achieved the following objectives to complete this project:

Objective 1: Assessed Habitat for Humanity’s needs for volunteer/project management

Objective 2: Assessed Habitat for Humanity’s volunteer and staff access to and comfort with technology

Objective 3: Identified management information technology used in other nonprofit organizations

Objective 4: Evaluated the suitability of identified software and techniques for Habitat for Humanity

Objective 5: Piloted and evaluated the recommended software at build sites for Habitat for Humanity

Objective 6: Developed & recommended a plan to implement the most effective information management technology systems