A project steering committee (PSC) is an oversight body used in some donor-funded projects to provide strategic direction, review progress, resolve high-level issues and support coordination between major stakeholders.
Kenya’s State Department for Livestock Development describes PSC responsibilities in one donor-funded project as overseeing implementation, providing policy guidance, facilitating coordination and reviewing work plans and budgets.
When a PSC is useful
- Multi-agency projects.
- Government-NGO partnerships.
- Large consortium grants.
- Projects with major policy dependencies.
- High-value or high-risk awards.
What should the committee do?
- Review strategic progress.
- Approve or recommend major changes.
- Resolve cross-institutional bottlenecks.
- Review high-level risk.
- Monitor alignment with project objectives.
What it should not do
A PSC should not become a substitute for project management. Day-to-day operational decisions still need clear owners.
Define membership deliberately
Include people who have the authority, expertise or stakeholder role needed for the committee’s decisions. Avoid filling seats only for representation if members cannot contribute to governance.
Keep records
Record decisions, action owners and deadlines. Steering committees add little value if the same issues reappear because no one tracks follow-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should a PSC meet?
It depends on project complexity and the decisions required.
Should the donor sit on the committee?
Only where the donor’s governance model provides for that role.
Can a board replace a PSC?
Sometimes, but board governance and project-specific oversight are not always the same.
Should beneficiaries participate?
Where meaningful participation improves governance, representation can be valuable.
What is the biggest failure mode?
A committee that meets regularly but has no defined decision rights or action tracking.
Conclusion
A project steering committee is useful when it improves decisions and coordination. Its purpose, membership and authority should be explicit from the beginning.
Source
Kenya State Department for Livestock Development: Implementation Structure
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