Project Planning Primer, Part 2
We entrepreneurs often attempt to move four or five footballs down the field at a time. If you’ve got a big project to complete, that is starting to make you spin out, let’s keep the focus on just ONE FOOTBALL.
Every project has a Project Life Cycle, and here are the steps involved:
Step 1. IDEATION
In last week’s blog, I walked you through IDEATION. You defined the scope of your project in terms of Time-Money-Quality, and now you’re ready to dig in to the next step.
STEP 2. PLAN
Here’s where you identify all the phases of your project, along with the task required in each one.
Click to download the Project Planning Template.
So let’s call this phase CREATE FIRST VIDEO. Using them template fill in the blanks for all the tasks involved that you can think of. You’ll see the sheet also has spaces for who’s responsible and how much time it will take.
- Write rough script for 3 videos.
- Make list of points to cover in each.
- Practice what you’re going to say.
- Write script if necessary.
- Arrange background for video.
- Choose outfit, if necessary.
- Have camera set-up or bring in videographer
- Edit video
- Post on website
- Write email
- Send out email with link.
Think about each task and what/who it requires. Which one needs to be done first? Do you need to coordinate with anyone? Is your email list ready to roll? Do you need to schedule your VA or web designer’s time?
STEP 3. EXECUTE
Now it’s time to just do it. You’ve laid out clear tasks—start moving through them. What’s the first step? What’s next? Is there anything you can replicate now so you don’t have to do it again for the next video?
As you’re moving forward, communicate with everyone contributing to this project. Keep your VA in the loop. Let your editor know when the video will be done. Be sure to let everyone know if there are changes, delays or problems.
STEP 4. MONITOR AND TROUBLESHOOT
Set aside time each week to look at your calendar and project status. See if you’re on schedule. Has everything gone according to plan? Do you need to adjust the schedule? This is a step that sometimes creates a spin-out, so stay focused on your goal. You can solve whatever is going on and keep moving forward.
STEP 5. CLOSE
Ahhh. Congratulations. Take a moment to close the project out when you’ve finished. Review how it went—what worked and what didn’t—and make note for future projects.
Next week, we’ll look at the difference between a PROJECT and a PROCESS and how to make those repetitive processes in your business as streamlined as possible.