Project Planning Process

Project Planning Process

1. Step 1: Project Goals

   • Identify and meet stakeholders
   • Find out their needs
   • Create a set of easily measurable goals

2. Step 2: Project Deliverables

   • Using the goals, create a list of things project needs
   • Add the deliverables to the project plan with an estimated delivery date.

3. Step 3: Project Schedule

   • Create a list of tasks that need to be carried out for each deliverable identified
   • For each task determine:
     • - The amount of effort (hours or days) required for completing the task
     • - The resource who will carry out the task
   • Update your deliverables section with the more precise delivery dates.

4. Step 4: Supporting Plans

   • Deals with the plans you should create as part of the planning process.
     • Human Resource Plan
       • Identify, by name, the individuals and organisations with a leading role in the project
       • Specify the number and type of people needed to carry out the project
       • Create a single sheet containing this information.
     • Communications Plan
       • Create a document showing who is to be kept informed about the project and how they will receive the information
       • Describing how the project is performing, milestones achieved and the work you've planned for the next period.
     • Risk Management Plan
       • An important part of project management
       • Identify as many risks to your project as possible and be prepared if something bad happens.
       • Risks can be tracked using a simple risk log
       • Add each risk you have identified to your risk log
       • Review your risk log on a regular basis
       • Update your plan as the project makes progress, and continually measure progress against the plan.