Simple Project Planning Steps

Use the SMART framework to define project goals.

Clearly define what is included and excluded from the project scope.

Identify and confirm the team members needed for the project based on the scope statement. Determine their roles and time commitment.

“The scope statement is going to tell you who you need to have involved.”

Identify and document project assumptions and high-level risks by consulting with key stakeholders. Create mitigation plans.

“You need to mitigate the high level stuff. There are individuals who understand what's going on with this project, and will have assumptions.”

Establish high-level milestone timing and conceptual ideas of the project timeline. Work backwards from the goal live date.

“It's really important at the beginning of the project, not for detailed timing of stuff, because you know what, you're going to get to that much later in the project life cycle, but you want to at least have some high level milestone, conceptual ideas of timing”

Determine the project budget and plan the costs associated with the project. Cross-reference costs with the scope statement.

“It's your job, as a project lead, or project manager, to look at budget, how much money do you actually have to spend?”

Bring the team together with all necessary information to kick off the project. Present the vetted information.

“Kickoff meetings are critical. It's when you bring everyone together with all the necessary information”

Create project tasks with the team, assigning accountability for successful project completion. Guide and lead the subject matter experts.

“Your job is to guide, and lead a group of subject matter experts, and ensure that they have everything they need at their fingertips to deliver on scope, time, and budget”

Present the project plan to decision-makers for approval. Negotiate any changes and ensure the plan is approved.

“Once you've created everything with your team, then you do want to present that back to those who are decision makers”

Begin executing the project plan with the team, now that you have the necessary approvals and planning in place.

“It is time for you to now start executing, and how great is it that, you can just do it smoothly, because you've set it up correctly.”