Alongside the business case, the project team will also need a detailed plan for resources, timings, interim targets etc. This will be the project plan.
Importance of a project plan:
A project plan aims to ensure that the project objectives are achieved within the constraints of quality, cost and time. Planning is essential as it helps to:
– Communicate what has to be done, when and by whom
– Encourage forward thinking
– Provide the measures of success for the project
– Make clear the commitment of time, resources (people and equipment), and money required for the project
– Determine if targets are achievable
– Identify the activities the resources need to undertake.
The plan is likely to be recorded as an element of a Project Initiation Document (PID). This is not a one-off, pre-project document like the business case document. It will contain the business case document and project plans, but it is also likely to be constantly revised and updated throughout the project life to reflect key changes and project completion phases.
Contents of a project plan:
– Time Duration
– Resources
– Members of team
– Funds
– Scope
– Schedule
– Roles and responsibility
– Execution