By Duncan Haughey, PMP
The key to a successful project is in the planning. Creating a project plan is the first thing you should do when undertaking any kind of project.
Often project planning is ignored in favour of getting on with the work. However, many people fail to realise the value of a project plan in saving time, money and many problems.
This article looks at a simple, practical approach to project planning. On completion of this guide, you should have a sound project planning approach that you can use for future projects.
Step 1: Project GoalsA project is successful when the needs of the stakeholders have been met. A stakeholder is anybody directly, or indirectly impacted by the project.As a first step, it is important to identify the stakeholders in your project. It is not always easy to identify the stakeholders of a project, particularly those impacted indirectly. Examples of stakeholders are:
Once you understand who the stakeholders are, the next step is to find out their needs. The best way to do this is by conducting stakeholder interviews. Take time during the interviews to draw out the true needs that create real benefits. Often stakeholders will talk about needs that aren't relevant and don't deliver benefits. These can be recorded and set as a low priority.
The next step, once you have conducted all the interviews, and have a comprehensive list of needs is to prioritise them. From the prioritised list, create a set of goals that can be easily measured. A technique for doing this is to review them against the SMART principle. This way it will be easy to know when a goal has been achieved.
Once you have established a clear set of goals, they should be recorded in the project plan. It can be useful to also include the needs and expectations of your stakeholders.
This is the most difficult part of the planning process completed. It's time to move on and look at the project deliverables.
Step 2: Project DeliverablesUsing the goals you have defined in step 1, create a list of things the project needs to deliver in order to meet those goals. Specify when and how each item must be delivered.Add the deliverables to the project plan with an estimated delivery date. More accurate delivery dates will be established during the scheduling phase, which is next.
Step 3: Project ScheduleCreate a list of tasks that need to be carried out for each deliverable identified in step 2. For each task identify the following:Once you have established the amount of effort for each task, you can workout the effort required for each deliverable, and an accurate delivery date. Update your deliverables section with the more accurate delivery dates.
At this point in the planning, you could choose to use a software package such as Microsoft Project to create your project schedule. Alternatively, use one of the many free templates available. Input all of the deliverables, tasks, durations and the resources who will complete each task.
A common problem discovered at this point, is when a project has an imposed delivery deadline from the sponsor that is not realistic based on your estimates. If you discover that this is the case, you must contact the sponsor immediately. The options you have in this situation are:
Use the project schedule to justify pursuing one of these options.
Step 4: Supporting PlansThis section deals with plans you should create as part of the planning process. These can be included directly in the plan. Human Resource PlanIdentify by name, the individuals and organisations with a leading role in the project. For each, describe their roles and responsibilities on the project.Next, describe the number and type of people needed to carryout the project. For each resource detail start dates, estimated duration and the method you will use for obtaining them.
Create a single sheet containing this information.
Communications PlanCreate a document showing who needs to be kept informed about the project and how they will receive the information. The most common mechanism is a weekly or monthly progress report, describing how the project is performing, milestones achieved and work planned for the next period. Risk Management PlanRisk management is an important part of project management. Although often overlooked, it is important to identify as many risks to your project as possible, and be prepared if something bad happens.Here are some examples of common project risks:
Risks can be tracked using a simple risk log. Add each risk you have identified to your risk log; write down what you will do in the event it occurs, and what you will do to prevent it from occurring. Review your risk log on a regular basis, adding new risks as they occur during the life of the project. Remember, when risks are ignored they don't go away.
Congratulations. Having followed all the steps above, you should have a good project plan. Remember to update your plan as the project progresses, and measure progress against the plan
List and explain the activities of the project planning phase
The 2 questions are not related to each other: - Iterative Project Planning is used when uncertainty is high. - The second part of the question probably should be edited out.
Project Planning involves 4 important phases. They are: 1. Planning the Project Scope 2. Planning the Project Resources 3. Planning the Project Schedule 4. Planning Quality & Risk Management
Project Planning involves 4 important phases. They are: 1. Planning the Project Scope 2. Planning the Project Resources 3. Planning the Project Schedule 4. Planning Quality & Risk Management
Project Planning involves 4 important phases. They are: 1. Planning the Project Scope 2. Planning the Project Resources 3. Planning the Project Schedule 4. Planning Quality & Risk Management Each of these 4 phases is equally important and have a significant impact on the success of the project
List and explain the activities of the project planning phase
The 2 questions are not related to each other: - Iterative Project Planning is used when uncertainty is high. - The second part of the question probably should be edited out.
Project Planning involves 4 important phases. They are: 1. Planning the Project Scope 2. Planning the Project Resources 3. Planning the Project Schedule 4. Planning Quality & Risk Management
Project Planning involves 4 important phases. They are: 1. Planning the Project Scope 2. Planning the Project Resources 3. Planning the Project Schedule 4. Planning Quality & Risk Management
spreadsheet conclusion
how to write conclusion of hindi project
Project Planning involves 4 important phases. They are: 1. Planning the Project Scope 2. Planning the Project Resources 3. Planning the Project Schedule 4. Planning Quality & Risk Management Each of these 4 phases is equally important and have a significant impact on the success of the project
Your conclusion is a summary of what you wrote already. Finish your project and then summarize your points in the conclusion.
why is the implementation of project important to strategic planning and the project manager?
Conclusion on Fibres
find wood, make it into a shape like a cock, hand into teacher, get good mark
To facilitate goals achievement To facilitate assessment To reduce risks and loss To make good decisions To carry out job division To determine opportunities and threats Any Project that needs to be executed has to be planned. Any tasks that was begun without proper planning and due diligence is almost always a failure. So, as a responsible project manager you have to plan your project properly to ensure that, your baby is a success. After all, which project manager wants to spend months of his time on a failing cause? Atleast, I don't … Project Planning involves 4 important phases. They are: 1. Planning the Project Scope 2. Planning the Project Resources 3. Planning the Project Schedule 4. Planning Quality & Risk Management Each of these 4 phases is equally important and have a significant impact on the success of the project.