- Who will be part of the project?
- What is your target group?
- Which other concerned or interested parties have to be taken into account?
- Who is supporting the project?
- How is the team organized?
In this section of the project plan, you can demonstrate your understanding of the target group and organization. You can provide evidence of your knowledge of the individuals you will be collaborating with and identify suitable candidates for crucial roles in the process.
When identifying stakeholders, it’s important to consider all parties involved, not just your intended target group. This includes entrepreneurs in the area, government representatives, other organizations, and individuals outside of your direct focus. Failure to include all stakeholders in the planning process can pose a risk to the success of the project in the future.
How do we want to do it?
This step of developing the project plan is one of the most practical. Here you identify detailed tasks and activities that have to be tackled to achieve the goal of the project in the long term. If necessary, you can split more significant functions into smaller ones in this step and helpfully organize everything.
After identifying all the tasks that need to be completed, you can organize them visually using a flow chart. This will help you clearly demonstrate all the steps required to achieve your project’s objective and make it easier for your audience to understand.
During this step, it’s important to identify any potential risks for your project and devise a plan to avoid them. Additionally, it’s helpful to develop a strategy for addressing any problems that may arise during the implementation phase.
What is the timeline?
When creating your project plan, it’s important to establish a realistic timeline. Determine the overall end date and set milestones to be reached within specific timeframes leading up to that date.
The level of investment in time and resources you make towards developing your project plan and the level of detail you include will significantly impact its comprehensibility. Breaking down your plan into phases and work packages ordered along a timeline with significant milestones will make it easier for your audience to understand your implementation plan and when specific achievements will be reached.
What is the budget?
When presenting your project to anyone, whether it be your boss, a potential donor, or a coworker, they will likely inquire about the cost of implementation. As such, it is crucial to include the project budget in the final part of your project plan.
The amount of time and resources you invest in developing your plan, as well as the level of detail in your budget, will greatly affect your project. While it can be time-consuming to find exact numbers and prices, this step may be more appropriate later in the planning process. Nonetheless, it is important to have a general understanding of the project’s cost and the necessary resources for its implementation.
At times, you may be limited by an established budget, which means the focus shifts from how much money you have to spend (as it’s already set) to how you will allocate it. This is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your expertise in the project’s location and show that you are knowledgeable about the subject matter. It’s wise to plan with a small surplus to accommodate any unexpected costs or situations that may arise.
If your proposed project or desired work area lacks financial allocation in your organization, you have the opportunity to suggest potential sources of funding. Your audience will be convinced of the feasibility of your ideas if you conduct thorough research on grants and other funding options.
Conclusion
By answering the seven questions outlined in the previous paragraphs, you can develop a thorough project plan to showcase to your organization or a potential donor. These questions promote logical thinking and assist in identifying and preventing potential challenges and issues. If you need to compose a project proposal, the project plan already contains all the necessary information. The project plan serves as the initial building block and lays the groundwork for future planning, with additional details being built upon it.
By having a well thought-out idea and a detailed project plan, you can persuade your organization and potential donors to back you and fund the execution of your project.
