Inside LAP: Midpoint Momentum -Tracking Project Progress

The nonprofit executive directors participating in this year’s NPN Leadership Acceleration Program came together recently to check in on their progress. They are now at the midpoint of their nine-month journey, and have begun to make real headway on their chosen initiatives.

Across the group, participants shared meaningful wins on their chosen Performance Challenges—from landing new funding to putting clearer data systems in place. While every organization’s work looks a little different, a common theme emerged: momentum is building.

If you’re leading a major initiative in your own organization, one tool the group employed may resonate with you: the S‑Curve.

Navigating Progress

The S‑Curve is a simple way to visualize how most long‑term initiatives unfold. Progress tends to be slow at the beginning, accelerates in the middle, and eventually levels off as the work becomes more about sustaining results than creating them.

LAP participants use the S‑Curve as a way to step back and make sense of where they are. It helps them track not just outcomes, but also how many people are involved and contributing along the way. Seeing progress over time can be both grounding and motivating.

Stepping on The Balcony

One of the biggest benefits of the S‑Curve is how it helps set realistic expectations. Early on, when you’re building alignment and figuring out your approach, progress may feel frustratingly slow. That’s normal. The curve reminds us that the middle phase is where momentum often takes off—and that success depends on continuing to widen the circle of people who are helping move the work forward.

The tool also encourages leaders to step back and look at the bigger picture. LAP participants often talk about the importance of moving off the “dance floor” and onto “the balcony”—taking a pause from day‑to‑day demands to reflect on what’s really happening and what’s needed next.

If you’ve ever felt deep in the weeds of a long‑term initiative, you’re not alone. Implementation requires focus and persistence. At the same time, it’s helpful to zoom out now and then, check your expectations, and ask where you are on the curve. A balcony view—and the S‑Curve—can help.