So why should we even bother with planning if in the history of the world, no one has done this project
before in this time in this place with these people, something makes it unique, then how could you
possibly be able to predict how long it will take or how much it will cost?
It's almost like you're expected to have a crystal ball, but don't worry.
In this smart tip, you'll learn real world techniques to plan the work so that you can work the plan
with greater confidence.
Planning is an art and a science and takes practice.
Planning is doing.
Planning is like laying out the tracks toward your goal so that you can efficiently and safely deliver
the goods on time.
Some people think the plan is just the schedule, but it's so much more.
You need a plan in order to deliver your project's product service or result on time, on budget, on
scope, on quality with a high degree of stakeholder satisfaction and handle obstacles along the way.
We can create an integrated project plan to accomplish this using pro thinking tools.
My dad always said Use the right tool for the job.
Check out this exercise and pause the video while you match the thinking tool to the delivery objective.
You can also work through this exercise in the attached handout.
And don't worry if you don't get this exactly right, you'll have a chance to revisit these tools later.
How did you do?
You can find the answer key on the next page of the handout as well.
Let me give you a quick tour of the thinking tools inside the Pro Project Managers workbook.
You can lead the team to create a work breakdown structure and use the corresponding deliverables dictionary
to capture more details and make the scope crystal clear for each deliverable.
Think about what level of quality is needed and capture any details in the Quality Management Plan.
Be sure to add any additional deliverables to the WB's that may be required, like quality checklists
and review sign offs.
The initial schedule should be created simply by moving the deliverable cards from the WB's into a schedule
format.
Then you can put it in your organization's scheduling tool or show something simple like you see here.
The more visual the schedule is, the better.
Now I'd like you to meet Sam, our stakeholder analysis and management matrix.
Stakeholders are the people who might love your project, hate your project or be somewhere in between.
Here is where we privately list all of those people, think about their top concerns and create a plan
to manage them.
Usually that's done through the communications plan, which is why you can find it by scrolling to the
right.
Be sure to add any communication or other deliverables to the WB.
Yes, that you need to create to help you manage the stakeholders.
The resource plan is not a direct match because it influences everything.
This is where you plan, who you need and what other non-labor resources you need, like equipment to
create the deliverables defined in the WBC and who can help you manage the stakeholders and achieve
the right level of quality.
You use it to manage resources on and off the project on time.
In our thinking tool, the resource plan directly creates the budget to the schedule is also influenced
by when resources are available or how fast or slow they work.
Be sure to create the budget in the way that it will need to be reported to your sponsor or finance.
And don't forget to add the right amount of contingency to handle any wiggling costs.
Or buy your way out of risks.
The more risky your project, the higher your contingency factor should be.
The higher confidence you have, the lower your contingency should be.
For most projects, 10 percent is a good place to start the conversation.
And how do you know how risky your project is by using the risk analysis and Response Worksheet?
This is our underlying warning system because you list all of the things that could possibly go wrong
and figure out what you can do about it.
This is not being negative.
This is being professional and prudent.
You may have heard the term mitigate.
This is one way to respond to risk, but it's actually not the best way.
I love being your tour guide and project land, and I hope you enjoyed that quick tour of the six thinking
tools that you need to help you create an integrated plan for your project.
Take action.
Ask if there are thinking tools or templates in your organization that you need to use.
If not, feel free to use the ones available through this course.
Check out the other modules for more details about each of the five delivery objectives.