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How to make the most out of the project plan template

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Being simple to update and adjust, it can also be reused easily throughout the life of the project to communicate progress at status meetings, planning reviews and on project scorecards. In addition, the template can be used for more than laying out a project timeline. Thanks to its visual layout, the project plan example allows your audience to understand key data at first glance, being well suited for presenting to busy stakeholders.

The template is a quick and simple alternative to complex project management tools, and it can serve as the starting point for any project.īuilt as a native PowerPoint slide, this downloadable timeline template is easy to share and can be opened and updated by anyone who has the popular presentation tool. The free project plan template was designed for professionals who need to create visual, easy-to-understand plans for clients, execs and other project stakeholders.

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For you and your team, you can use project planning software to easily create a detailed timeline of all activities involved, while for client communications, you can use a simple, familiar project plan template for PowerPoint like the example at the top of this page.

So, with your goals, tasks, milestones, and roles already outlined, place these details on a visual timeline to easily show the estimated time each team member should spend on each task, as well as when key deliverables are due. A well-mapped project plan timeline will act as guide not only in the planning phase, but through the entire project management process. Don’t forget to include milestones to define check-in points or key events throughout the project. Starting from the project goals, break down the project into deliverables and tasks needed to complete those goals, and write down who will be assigned on said tasks. Decide who is responsible for various phases or parts of the project, who will approve work before it’s finalized, who takes the high-level decisions, and who needs to be kept up to date as the project progresses. Establish exactly who will be part of the project and what their role will be. Without them, the tasks, milestones and deadlines set for your project will not have anything anchoring them.

An effective project plan template starts out from clear, well defined, and well-prioritized goals. List out and prioritize project goals.Use this discussion to determine the value of the project, set goals, and establish the project scope, budget and timeline. Explain the project to the stakeholders.Typically, the project stakeholders include your client, the end-users, your company and its management, and the team(s) responsible for completing the project. Every project has several stakeholders and it’s important to keep them in mind from the start even though not all of them will be involved in the minutiae of the project. Here are the steps involved in successful project planning: Now that you know what typical project plan examples include, it’s time to start creating your own plan. Resources needed to achieve the project’s objectives.Important deliverables required during the project’s life cycle.Key activities (tasks) that must be completed.An executive summary or a project statement.Project plan examples can vary in terms of depth and complexity, but they typically include at least: Put simply, an effective project plan template will encompass details that answer the What, Why, When, and How of the project. What should be in a project plan template? The timeline layout will make it easier to understand at a glance and to communicate the schedule to team members, execs and clients. The plan can take the form of a spreadsheet, a table, or a visual timeline. Let’s dive in! What is a project plan?Ī project plan is a document that defines your project’s scope, outlines its objectives, and addresses the activities and deliverables needed to reach those objectives. To help you get started, we’ve put together a short guide for successful planning, as well as a free, downloadable project plan timeline template that you can use for simple projects or to communicate high-level data to key stakeholders. An effective planning process and a good project plan template can make things easier for you. However important, it can be tricky, time consuming, and quite intimidating, especially when you have to deal with complex data and stress-inducing deadlines. Creating a project plan is a critical first step when beginning any project.

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