The project management planning phase is exactly what it sounds like – making a plan. This might include the level of detail the planning will be, whether it is a high level project or a low level project. It will also include the possible use planning software to lay out the project in detail. The scope statement will also be a part of this. The scope statement is the goal of the project; what your company is trying to achieve. This statement should include the customers, employees, and the goal. This should be a scope everyone believes in and it should be motivational.
Selecting a planning team might be the most difficult task of the entire planning and design phase for project management. Selecting a team means, you need to find the right people who are competent with the skills and knowledge to perform the work. However, these people also need to be capable of working with others. They should have a team concept and personalities that match other team members. When matching employees to work together, personalities must be considered or big problems can occur socially.
Identification of deliverables and activities is also included in design and planning. Project management must identify the different milestones and deliverables throughout the stages of the project. The work structure should be broken down. Deliverables should be set at different stages. This sets goals for employees and allows for the team to have a good idea how they are progressing throughout the project. Any activities needed to complete the deliverables should also be identified.
Planning requires estimates to be put in place for budgeting purposes. The budget needs to be as exact as possible. Some projects are difficult to estimate exactly. Project management will need to consider all resources which include requirements for activities, labor, materials, and time. If a client wants a big job completed quickly, it might require you to hire more employees or for your current staff to work a lot of overtime. This must be broken down in the budgeting.
Development includes developing the schedule and the budget. Each department involved will have a budget toward the project. The project manager will manage the budget. The schedule should include the dates from the beginning of the project until the end.
Risk planning means you are aware of things that could potentially go wrong and ready in case they do. Risk planning is smart and must be done during the planning phase. Once you have completed these tasks in the development and design phase of project management, you will be ready to gain approval and begin the project.