How to Create a Project Plan Quickly

Creating a project plan can be very time consuming. Here are some ideas to make it easier and a little faster.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• Internet

1. 
    

   Choose the project you want plan. Write a Project Statement along with Objectives to be met by the project. This allows you to give your project a scope and to aim to stay within budget, while keeping you on track.

2. Plan Your Project In 30 Minutes! So is the claim of Project KickStart. I found this product mentioned in the back of a MS Project book as a highly recommended tool, due to it's ease of use. I've tried it out and it is very user friendly! It takes you through the brainstorming process of writing a plan, and enables you to create a fairly detailed project schedule. You will end up with tasks sequenced, with an overall schedule, and a Gantt chart. This is one of the easiest project planning software packages available. It is even fun to use! Try it out first on a test project, in order to see how the software works. You'll find the free trial at http://www.projectkickstart.com/downloads/index.cfm.

3. 
    
   cutepdf

   Once you write your plan, you will want a permanent copy of your plan. To do this you can save the file as a pdf, which you will have long after your trial of Project Kick Start is over. Go to http://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/Writer.asp and download the free software. Create Portable Document Format (PDF) documents on the fly — for Free! The CutePDF Writer is the free version of commercial PDF creation software. CutePDF Writer installs itself as a "printer subsystem". This enables virtually any Windows applications (must be able to print) to create professional quality PDF documents - with just a push of a button.

4. 
    

   After you download cutepdf you can go to print your plan and select cutepdf instead of a printer. It will then create a .pdf copy of your project plan and you will have that for future reference, after your trial is out. The cutepdf writer will come in handy for other files as well. Any time you have a document to share with someone that may not be using the same software as you, you can print it to a pdf using cutepdf and email it to them. They will be able to readily view it without any software compatibility issues.

5. Revisit your plan to make edits, including any new information. There may be changes in scope for example.

6. Keep in mind the project plan is a dynamic document. Once you have written the plan and the project is underway, revisit the plan to track, or indicate work that has been completed.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need a business project plan with milestones, deadlines and tracking capability consider using MS Project. It is a higher end product but much more robust.
• To learn more about project plans start with wikipedia.org.

Resources

• Project KickStart
• CutePDF
• See wiki

[akchrist]

on 8/12/2008 Great article!

[SmithM99]

on 7/27/2008 thanks, helpful

[TeryLynne]

on 7/9/2008 Great tips! Project planning can be so time consuming. 5 stars