Theme 2 - Planning

Why do we need a plan?

Nothing helps move things along better than a good plan. Effective planning is vital to the success of a project. Planning may feel like a frustrating delay to action, but often saves time.

Time is saved because planning helps to:

• Determine whether the task should be attempted
• Work out the most effective way of reaching the target
• Prepare to overcome unexpected difficulties with adequate resources.

Planning is beneficial because it allows the project team to:

• Take stock of the current position
• Identify precisely what is to be achieved
• Detail the who, what, when, where, why and how of achieving the target.
• Assess the impact of the plan on your organisation and the people within it, and on the outside world.
• Evaluate whether the effort, costs and implications of achieving the plan are worth the achievement.
• Consider the control mechanisms (for example reporting, quality or cost control) that are needed to achieve your plan and keep it on course.