Development of a project plan

It doesn't matter what you call it, but you definitely need to create and maintain a project plan document that clearly states the project milestones and the main actions necessary to implement your project.

This document should include the date of each checkpoint or completion of the main actions to achieve the goals, as well as those responsible for each action. Your project plan is also best done initially, and the original version should be approved by the team as soon as possible.

Even though you probably won't know all the basic steps required to implement your project at first, you should still sketch out the actions that you think should be tracked down formally.

Take some time and think about what you know about the main goal of your project. Take a look at some similar projects that have been completed earlier. In order to be sure that the project is following the right course, you can even arrange a couple of informal meetings with experienced people to help you. You will be surprised at how good a plan can be made with very little time.

With this outline of the plan, you can share with professionals in specific areas and project participants. If you do not make some effort to draw up a decent sketch, then you run the risk of leaving a negative impression, and this will prevent you from getting support from the staff implementing your project.

Once you've sketched out with your team and some experts who may not be part of your team, you can give the plan its original status. Once your plan becomes the original plan, it shouldn't undergo too many changes.

You should record the actual completion dates of each stage and activity. In the event that the date is different from the planned one, you will at least have data on the completion of the stage or action, and you will be able to draw some conclusions.

It's also a good idea to record when something is added or removed, as well as the reason for it. This way you can save face in case someone asks you about something remote, and it should be in the document - believe me, someone will definitely ask.

Some items you should include in your work schedule:

• Use unique identifiers (IDs) that you can use if updates are required
• Give names to tasks
• Specify the beginning of the action
• Specify the date of completion of execution
• Record the actual completion date of the activity
• any task must be completed before the next task is started
• Specify the person responsible for the execution (task master)
• Specify the percentage of completeness of each action
• You or the project sponsor you represent may decide to track or account for and maintain anything that is outside the scope of the project and this list is normal. These points, in general, describe the main, vital aspects and they should be used as a foundation.

With all this, the project can be managed without a plan or schedule - however, this is not the smartest solution. Therefore, make life easier for yourself and the project - document checkpoints and important tasks, monitor the status, and you will be very close to successfully managing and completing the project. Remember, no matter what you call this document, the main thing is to create and use it.