Project Management For NGO’s

1.   PROJECT PLANNING FUNDAMENTALS

What is Project Planning?

Project planning is a discipline that focuses on how to complete a project in a certain timeframe, usually with defined stages and designated

Failure to plan is planning to fail

Project  planning   can   be   divided  into four distinct stages:

setting measurable objectives

2. identifying deliverables

3. scheduling
4. planning tasks

Supporting plans may encompass:

• human resources,
• communication methods and
• risk

1.  Project planning is important at every phase of a project as it lays out the basics of a project, including the:\

scope

•   objectives

Schedule

2. Planning enables project managers to turn an intangible idea into reality.

Facilitates communication and provides a central source of information for project personnel;

• Helps the project sponsor and other key stakeholders know what is required;
• Identifies who will perform certain tasks, and when and how those tasks will happen;
• Facilitates project management and control as the project progresses;
• Enables effective monitoring and control of a project;
• Manages project risk; and
• Generates feedback useful for the next project planning

COMPONENTS OF A PROJECT PLAN

The three major parts of a project plan are the scope, budget, and timelines of the project.

Scope: The scope determines what a project team will and will not do. It takes the team’s vision, what stakeholders want and the customer’s requirements and then determines what’s possible. As part of defining the project scope, the project manager must set performance targets.

Budget: Project managers look at what manpower and other resources that

will be required to meet the project goals to estimate the project’s cost. Timeline: This is the length of time expected to complete each phase of the project and includes a schedule of milestones that will be met.

How to undertake Smart Planning?