The project plan is developed in conjunction with the project team and delineates what is being produced by the project, the budget, timeline, and resources to be used to reach that deliverable. Without a project plan – it’s difficult to ensure the project is a success – you need a plan to follow! The Project Management Institute’s A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) defines a project plan as: “A formal, approved document that defines how the project is executed, monitored, and controlled. It may be a summary or detailed and may be composed of one or more subsidiary management plans and other planning documents.” (PMBOK®, 4th Edition) The larger your project, the more detailed and comprehensive your project plan will be.
Gather the following information to develop your project plan. Determine:
- The deliverable or objective of the project including interim deliverables if they exist
- Project review points (quality checks, phase gate reviews, stakeholder approvals, etc.)
- Project assumptions and constraints
- Status report needs
- Resource needs
- Project budget
- Project schedule
- Stakeholder communication plan
- How quality will be managed and evaluated
- How changes will be tracked and managed
- Procurement plan – especially if contract resources are used
Include in your project plan baselines for the project scope, schedule and budget. You’ll use these baselines to track your project progress.
All of this information should be compiled into a project plan to help you manage the project and ensure you are meeting the project’s objectives. The project plan becomes a reference point for decision making on the project.
