Q&A: Preparing for Project Planning
How can I prepare for project planning?
Project plans help us strategize a path to project success, allowing you to consider the factors that will impact your project, from stakeholders to budget to schedule delays, and plan how to maximize or mitigate these factors.
You can prepare for effective planning by:
Confirming your understanding of the project’s scope or overall purpose with project initiators. You may need to meet with leadership or the project initiators to confirm the scope.
Identifying any project parameters or constraints, such as budget, resource availability, and timeline. Was a budget set for the project? Is that funding still available? What resources, including staff or volunteers, are available for the project? How long are these resources available? Does the project need to be completed by a certain date?
Reviewing templates and plans for similar projects, or for other projects within your organization or industry. Use these templates and plans to get ideas for structuring and drafting your own project plan.
Identifying the project’s key stakeholders so that you can engage them as we begin planning. Input into project planning supports buy-in to project goals and encourages continued engagement throughout a project, so collaborate with your project team and key stakeholders early and as you begin to craft your project plan!
Need more support leading successful projects?
Learn about our Project Services, schedule an introductory call with Jami Yazdani, or add a 1-hr Project Coaching Session to our calendar!
