JS Tip 570: Planning the Project (The Second in a Series)
Last week, we introduced this series on Project Management. Doing stuff. Getting things done. Identifying tasks and successfully completing them.
We explained how project management can range from putting a team on Mars to building a doghouse for Little Debbie, your Great Dane. Your great big Great Dane.
This week, we’ll explore the first of the five recognized1 phases in project management: Planning.
Planning is the most important phase.
Planning has four subordinate steps.
We’ll discuss how each step applies to building Debbie’s doghouse:
1. Define the scope. What are you going to do?
Our example project: By August 31st, 2020, we’ll build a doghouse for Debbie in the back yard. The doghouse will be Debbie’s year-round home, so it’ll have to be warm in the winter.
2. Identify the stakeholders. Who’s involved (even peripherally)?
Our example project: Stakeholders include Debbie (although she probably won’t have much input except wagging her tail). Your spouse, because the two of you will work together. Jenny, the building-materials consultant at Lowe’s. Maybe Jerry, your neighbor.
3. Decide on project governance. How will you do this? What’s your schedule? What’s your budget? How will you keep track of things?
Our example project: Grab an old notebook. On the first page, write down when you want to start and when you want to finish (you’ve already said August 31st). Draw a rough sketch. Identify where you want the doghouse in the back yard. Draft a budget.
4. Develop an action log. What have you done so far? What will you do next? What tasks have you assigned to others?
Our example project: Open the notebook half-way through the pages and dog-ear that page. Write what you’ve done so far. (Defined the scope. Drawn a sketch.) Write down what you have to do next. (Finalize the design. How wide? How long? How tall? How do you keep it warm in the winter? When should you talk to Jenny at Lowe’s?)
Use this part of the notebook to keep track of tasks completed and tasks yet to do.
This is the first phase.Planning.
Next week, we’ll talk about project analysis.
Any questions, let us know.
We love this stuff.
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1 The best source for guidance is the Project Management Institute. Visit their website at www.pmi.org.