Starting A Project Plan

Define the Project Goal

Short duration project, uncomplicated project, project plan can be 3 5 pages document Long duration project, complicated project, project plan can be 30 40 pages document Purpose of project plan document the proposed project is an much detail before any word on project s products begins. It gives everyone a chance to adjust the plan before work is started . Iterative process Start with the project goals & objectives First few project plan will very time consuming 1st component is Goals or mission project why you are performing the

   

Developing & writing a solid goal statement verb statement Communicate that to the project stakeholders. Action verb Provide, Prepare, Develop, Build etc Examples 1. Developing a registration process for a one-time only banquet, onea goal statement might be; To facilitate the timely registration for this year s awards banquet. 2. Goal for new computer system: To provide a new purchasing system for the company that will reduce purchase order turnaround to 3-days and will cut 3the purchase of excess inventory by 10%. 3. Construction projects: To select an appropriate lot on the Michigan and build a 4,000 square foot log cabin home by June 1 4. Event Conference, training, seminar, or wedding: To hold a barn restoration conference for up to 100 people on august 25

Create Project Objectives




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Rather than explain the why, they explain the what What will project do Own definition of objectives Specific, measurable, Agreed upon, realistic & time framed Verb statement 4 to 5 objectives will usually cover the entire project Examples
New Computer System a. Research & select replacement purchasing system with in 22months of receiving project go ahead. b. Install, train user, implement new system within 3 months of selection. Log cabin construction project a. With owner, research & select appropriate lots for cabin within 22months. b. Construct cabin within 3-months of closing on lot purchase 3-

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Barn Conference a. Develop & implement a pre registration & registration system by June 10 b. Hold a conference with at least six, on hour sessions on August 25.

Determine Project Scope & Exclusions



Project Scope Total amount of work involved in a project  One or two simple sentences

 
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What is not included. Examples

New Computer System Scope: Research , Select & install a replacement purchasing system & train the end users. Exclusions: a. Development of the training program b. Ongoing system support

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Log cabin construction project Scope: With owner, research & select appropriate lot for cabin; research and select cabin plans & specification & construction of cabin. Exclusion: a. Septic system b. Interior papering & painting Awards Banquet Scope/Exclusions Scope: Select and honor up to three employees at a banquet for all employees. Exclusion: a. Dinners for spouses and families. b. Travel & transportation to and from the banquet facilitation.

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Define Project Deliverables

 

Tangible Results Two categories



the product or service of the project.

Intermediary Deliverables are those that are produced to be used in subsequent portions of the project. End or Final Deliverables are those that are turned over the client at the end of the project. Purchasing system Intermediary deliverables  Survey of potential systems  Short list of systems to investigate further  Investigation results of each system  Selected system Final Deliverables  Installed purchased system  Trained end users  New purchasing process

Examples:


Log Cabin construction project Intermediary Deliverables  Survey of potential lots  Short list of lots to investigate further  Results of lot investigation  Select lot Final Deliverables  Plumbing pipes and fixtures  Electrical wiring and fixtures  Heat ducts, furnace, and so on  Walls, roof, ceilings, and so on

Barn Conference
     

Intermediary Deliverables Survey of potential facilities Short list of facilities to investigate further Results of facilities investigations Select facility Conference brochure Registration process

    

Final Deliverables Six speakers Six sessions Lunch for 100 Morning and afternoon breaks for 100 Handout packages

Evaluate Project Constraints

  
1.

A constraint is something that limits a project Technical, operational, geographic, time, resource, legal, political Examples:
Software project Technical Constraint New package must run on the existing infrastructure Log cabin project Operational Constraint Coordinating & scheduling the sub-constraint subBarn Conference Geographic constraint With the location limiting the conference attendance

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