I am hopeful that reading Part 1 of this two-part article series entitled, 10 Tips for Planning Your First Project, shed some light on the realities of managing your first project and helped to allay some fear and concerns. Keep in mind that, while the information provided in this article is realistic, it is not among typical project planning concepts and certainly not usually written about.
This article series was written to help you and such information should be given consideration in the scheme of project planning importance. Give yourself the benefit of the doubt, and get ready to tackle your first project.
6. Good fundamental planning is the key.
It’s true that planning is half the battle. Successful projects result from a lot of solid preparation, thus a lot less work down the road. So, how do you plan a project? For starters, consider the information provided in this article series on project management basics .
Once you have a conceptual understanding of these project management basics, read this article for insight regarding creating your first project plan.
Don’t lose sight of your goals and objectives. This means that you absolutely must set some goals and objectives. When things get tough, keeping sight of what you are aiming to accomplish will help to keep you grounded and moving forward.
7. Accept that change is inevitable.
Are plans really meant to change? Whether or not they are, you can count on things changing, which is why it important to apply some forethought in planning and preparation. You want to be as prepared to address changes as effectively and expediently as possible to minimize impact to the project. This may require some flexibility, so don’t be so rigid that you can not adapt to change.
8. Prepare for obstacles.
Things happen, and what happens is not always in the plan, possibly causing your project to get off track. You will make mistakes. You will do wrong. It’s not the end of the world. Recognize and accept that making mistakes and doing wrong are sure ways to learn that something needs to be done differently in order to get desired results. When you find that your project is derailing, make the necessary corrective adjustments.
Such situations present opportunity to demonstrate your resilience and ability to get the project back on track. Think about what is truly in the best interest of the project. Ensure you have the resources and wherewithal to get the job done. If you believe you don’t, act accordingly using your best judgment. Again, trust yourself, and be true to yourself.
9. Did I say, COMMUNICATE?
As I said in Part 1 of this article series, communication is essential. Communication must be ongoing and offer an 
environment where everyone involved is welcomed to be heard and to contribute. Communicating helps to increase team synergy that binds the team and offers the working-togetherness which results in successful project completion. Read my article on the importance of project team communication for insightful information.
10. Keep in mind your role as Project Manager.
We are sometimes our own worst critic. Shake that gremlin! Just because you are the Project Manager does not mean you have to know everything that needs to be done and how it must be done. You are charged with managing the effort and the expert resources to lead a smooth process of ensuring tasks and activities are properly performed, completed on time and delivered within budget. You have a team or at least access to others who can help you when needed. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help, particularly because of pride or fear. You’d be amazed at how willing others are to help.
Now that you have absorbed these 10 tips for planning your first project, you are ready to get to work. This article series has provided a slight twist to concepts of project planning, yet its content can not be underestimated in project planning importance. Any information that helps a Project Manager perform more effectively is worth its weight in gold.