Key elements to the project planning process that every PM needs to know!
Are you getting ready to start a new project? You need to make sure you get the project planning process right because if you master your project plan, you set the rest of your project up for success!
If you have any uncertainty about what should happen during the project planning stage, this breakdown will tell you the main tasks and documents to be focusing on during the planning process.
What is the purpose of the planning stage?
The purpose of the planning stage in project management is to refine and define the scope and objectives of the project so that you can be successful.
There’s a lot that goes into this, but the main aspects to focus on are the project charter, WBS, Steering Committee, and the kickoff meeting.
Project Charter
So, what is the project charter and how do you go about it during the planning stage?
The project charter is the most essential document that you need to have and create in this stage. Theoretically, this is supposed to happen at the initiation stage of project management and you should be given the charter, but this rarely ever happens.
The project charter lays out everything for the individuals in the project including the stakeholders, team, Steering Committee, and the people receiving the project deliverables.
The document outlines your scope statement, background information, deliverables, milestones, budget, roles and responsibilities, and other documents you’re going to use.
Laying out all this information in the beginning stages makes a huge difference to the process and even outcome of your project!
Other Things to Focus on in the Planning Stage
I want to go through all the important aspects of the planning stage with you including the WBS, Steering Committee, and kickoff meeting, so I’ve created a video that goes through all of these in greater detail.
Head over to YouTube with me if you want to finish becoming a project planning master!
I really hope that you found this helpful – and if you did, it would mean so much to me if you would share this article on your social media.
Meanwhile, if you really are committed to mastering your next project, do consider taking my SLAY Project Management online course where I show you step-by-step how to successfully manage a project, plus you get access to every template you will need, along with detailed video instructions on how to fill them out.
-Adriana
