Although the approach and follow-through of project management may vary somewhat from manager to manager, the basic foundation of an effective project planning checklist is probably quite similar no matter whose shoulder you’re peeking over.
Ask any manager (who is actively involved in project management) to map out his or her typical project planning checklist and you’re likely to get as many examples as I have fingers and toes. But that’s ok because successful project management shouldn’t be processed through a cookie-cutter.
Although the approach and follow-through of project management may vary somewhat from manager to manager, the basic foundation of a project planning checklist is probably quite similar no matter whose shoulder you’re peeking over. Check out the following list and feel free to add or subtract to the overall equation listed below:
- Clear, concise (business) objectives & goals so you know where you’re going and what you’ll do once you get there. (i.e. Has anything like this been done before? What mistakes can be learned from past projects or attempts)?
- A set budget: One that allows for the flexibility to come in under budget, but never over. (Also consider resources: What resources do you have? What resources might you need?)
- Team members who have specific roles and are aware of their roles. (All the while understanding that the success of the project depends on them).
- Risks factored in/analysis. Know what the potential risk and losses of the project can be and how to circumvent them.
- Project progress that is periodically reviewed en-route to final completion. (It is not uncommon for the manager/team leader to review weekly, while the client reviews bi-weekly).
- Cross-check between performance objectives/goals and actual Quality Goals.
- Create a time-line that provides suspense for each task -- namely, what is the time-line and deadline? What might affect might the deadlines have on the quality and completion of the project? And above all -- who's going to do the work? Which leads me to the next point:
- The breakdown or structure of the project plan (so everyone is on the same page) which is agreed to by the manager, client and manager’s boss.
- Final project review.
- Knowledge carry-over. Your team shouldn’t be changing in mid-stream, but if it does, is a system in place to pass accumulated knowledge on the next individual?
The project planning checklist is not all-inclusive. As was stated in the first paragraph, what works for one manager may not work for another. But the basic foundation built upon the blocks who, what, where when and how are certainly common denominators no matter what the size and scope of your particular project is.