Planning - Introduction

Simple projects might be completed in two or three* stages:

  • Stage 1 – Initiation - Planning and actually getting things started
  • Stage 2 – Build - Produce the finished product or feature
  • *Stage 3 – Hand Over - Ensure the customer knows how to use the finished product or feature and are made aware of any life time issues such as warranties, maintenance, on-going training etc.

However, the above model misses out on two, rather important planning stages, pre-project and project review.

PERFORMWORK will automatically create the following five blank planning templates for each new project.

  • Pre-Project
    Actions required before starting work on the main part of your project i.e.
    • Agree requirements with customer
    • Design / Select method of delivery
    • Choose team
    • Establish required resources, with their availability and costs
  • Initiation
    Getting the project started
  • PERFORM WORK [The Build Stage]
    Managing the production
  • Hand Over and Project Closure
    Making sure the customer is happy
  • Project Review
    Reviewing a project, however small, 6 / 12 months after completion, can provide additional feedback that could help with future projects.

Stage Descriptors Are Editable

The planning templates are entirely optional, use the ones that are appropriate to your project.

If required, you can edit the default titles given to the stages to match those used within your organisation.

If you do not require a stage simply leave the details and dates blank and that stage will not appear in reports.

Adding More Stages

Where there is a degree of complexity, risk or high cost, it might be prudent or even necessary to break down the Build plan into a series of stages. With each one having to be successfully completed before the next one is started.

For example, constructing a building could start with:

  • Build Stage 1 – Get building plan drawn up and obtain relevant permissions to build
  • Build Stage 2 – Groundwork, clear site and dig trenches for the foundations
  • Build Stage 3 – Lay foundations
  • Build Stage 4 – Build walls...

This makes it easier for the project manager to focus on and monitor the project by reducing the scope of what work is being done and therefore being managed, at any instant in time.

By having less to manage will give the project manager more time to resolve any issues.

Also, any impact an issue has on the whole project will initially be contained within that stage, giving more time to make adjustments to any subsequent plans that may become affected by the issue.

PERFORMWORK enables you to add as many additional planning stages as is felt necessary for the successful and efficient completion of the project.

Risk Management

Careful consideration needs to be given to any risks involved when planning each stage.

In PERFORMWORK risks are not linked to a specific stage but either to the overall project (in the business case) or to a specific feature.

Feature related risks are brought through into the work packages so that those responsible for delivering an individual work package are made aware of any associated risks.