Good project managers work smarter, not harder, and know planning makes their job easier in the long run. They follow established practices and use standardized tools during the planning stage and throughout the life of a project. As with captains of a ship who map their course, project managers use a project plan to help reach a desired goal.
Project managers create goals and objectives during the planning phase of a project to measure progress so they can take corrective action if necessary.
Sound planning involves aligning project goals with the business goals to make sure the project stays on course and supports the overriding goals of the company.
A solid, well-designed project plan helps a business owner rationalize a project and acquire funding from a lending institution.
A project plan identifies the necessary human and capital resources so a project can proceed without being interrupted by inventory shortages, staffing changes or equipment failure.
Project planning helps create realistic estimates to allow a business to factor the project into the fiscal planning and allocate a budget.
Project planning ensures employees have the necessary training to complete the assigned tasks, and identifies feeder programs to provide an adequate supply of trained staff throughout the life of the project.
Successful projects involve communicating with all affected parties throughout a project, starting at the planning stage. Talking to suppliers, human resources, distributors, employees and everyone else involved helps identify all the variables that can impact a project. Communication during the planning stage also ensures that everyone has shared expectations.
The project plan allows the project manager to give the entire project team a big-picture view so they have a sense of ownership in the project and the commitment necessary to see the project through to completion. Project planning takes suggestions, desires and ideas and brings them together to create a cohesive concept with stated goals, requirements and time frames.
Sound project planning identifies the weak spots and provides contingencies in the event of interruptions due to resource shortages, reallocation of budget, competing priorities or weather.
Sound project planning helps create accurate and realistic time estimates to complete required tasks to avoid project overruns and “scope creep.”
