Table of Contents |
While each organization may have different methods to develop a project, there are six components that should be included in every project plan:
Project Plan Components | Description |
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Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) | The work breakdown structure (WBS) provides the starting point for planning. It breaks down the project work into separate, easily manageable tasks— hopefully so that the completion of each task is easy to execute and track. For instance, on a project to construct a building, the rough end of the plumbing would be a manageable task. Once the WBS is complete, then the other components are defined and documented. |
Project Schedule | The project schedule determines the timeline for the project. This can include the project’s start and end dates, as well as the end dates from significant phases and deliverables. The tasks from the work breakdown structure are set into the schedule in the proper sequence to determine these dates. |
Resource Plan | Resource planning is the process of determining the people (talent, skills, and expertise), places (spaces for project teamwork), and things (technology, licensing, equipment) needed to manage the project or complete the deliverables. |
Project Budget | The project budget is the amount of money that must be invested to complete the project. The budget, schedule, and resource plans are tightly interrelated, so changes in one component will require adjustments to the other two. For instance, if the schedule increases by one month, then the budget and the resources needed for completion will likely increase too. |
Risk Management Plan | The risk management plan identifies and documents the risks to a project’s success. The plans and details to mitigate, avoid, and control those risks (should they occur) are also covered. |
Communication Plan | The communication plan documents the methods used to communicate the project status with stakeholders and team members. |
As a plan is developed, each component might depend on the development of another component. Also, as each component becomes better defined, related components might need to be adjusted as well. It's important to know that multiple components can be developed simultaneously.
Source: This work is adapted from Sophia author Jeff Carroll.