Project Plan Template

This project plan template will assist you in effectively planning and managing your projects from start to finish.

Whether you are a seasoned project manager or just starting out, this template will provide you with a step-by-step approach to create a solid project plan. Use this project plan template to outline project goals, define tasks and deliverables, allocate resources, establish timelines, and achieve successful project outcomes!

DELETE AFTER READING: Here's a template that you can outline and share with Scribe.

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Scribe is a free extension that generates how-to guides for any process— complete with text and annotated screenshots.

Get started with Scribe today to duplicate and use this template. Here's how.

Project Overview

Provide a brief introduction to the project, goals, and key stakeholders. Give a high-level description of the project, including the:

• Purpose.

• Objectives.

• Expected outcomes.

• Information on the project's background.

• Relevant information about the project's origin, rationale, and any existing conditions.

• Stakeholders.

Project Scope and Objectives

Scope

Define the project's scope to manage expectations and prevent scope creep.

• Outline the boundaries and limitations of the project.

• Define what is included and excluded from the project.

• Include a detailed description of the project's deliverables.

• Note any constraints or assumptions.

Objectives

Clearly define the project's specific objectives and goals. Your objectives should follow the SMART framework:

• Specific.

• Measurable.

• Achievable.

• Relevant.

• Time-bound.

Create Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and evaluation criteria for assessing project success.

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a hierarchical breakdown of the project deliverables into smaller, more manageable tasks. It helps you organize and structure the project work, making it easier to plan and assign responsibilities. Here's how to get started:

• Identify the major deliverables of the project.

• Identify the appropriate project team members.

• Break down each deliverable into smaller tasks.

• Assign a unique identifier to each task.

Project Deliverables

This section helps to establish a common understanding of what will be produced or achieved by the project.

• Identify and describe the tangible outputs or outcomes that the project will deliver.

• Each deliverable should be clearly defined and measurable.

Project Schedule and Timeline

Outline a high-level timeline and milestones of the project.

• Include start and end dates for each major task or phase of the project.

• List the individual tasks that need to be completed within each phase, ensuring they are clear, concise, and actionable.

• Estimate the amount of time required to complete each task.

• Identify any dependencies between tasks (e.g., finish-to-start, start-to-start, finish-to-finish, etc.). Determine the order in which tasks should be executed based on their dependencies.

• Clearly mark milestone deadlines to track progress.

You can also move your project schedule into a Gantt chart or similar visual representation to illustrate the project schedule.

Resource Planning

Identify and allocate the necessary resources and budget for the project, outlining:

• The human resources, equipment, materials, and budget needed for each task.

• Resource availability.

• How the resources will be allocated.

• How resources will be managed throughout the project.

• An estimate of the total project cost.

Project Team Roles and Responsibilities

Define the roles and responsibilities of the project team members. Clearly outline areas of responsibility for each team member, ensuring that everyone understands their role and can contribute effectively to the project's success.

Risk Management Plan

The risk management section focuses on identifying and managing potential risks that could impact the project's success.

• List potential risks that could impact the project, their likelihood and severity.

• Outline mitigation strategies and contingency plans to address them.

• Monitor their implementation.

You can include a risk register or matrix to track and address potential risks.

Stakeholder Management

Stakeholder management involves identifying and engaging with individuals or groups who have an interest or influence in the project.

• Outline the key stakeholders and their roles and responsibilities.

• Create a plan for effectively communicating throughout the project lifecycle.

Communication Plan

Outline the strategies and channels for effective communication within the project team and with stakeholders.

• Create a plan for regular project updates, stakeholder meetings, and any necessary reporting.

• Define the communication channels, frequency, and key contact information.

Quality Management Plan

Describe the standards for ensuring project deliverables meet quality expectations.

• Establish quality criteria.

• Define quality control and testing processes.

• Implement corrective actions if necessary.

Change Management

Outline your approach for handling changes to the project scope, schedule, or budget. Use Scribe to auto-generate a how-to guide for each process, then insert your Scribe in the placeholder below. Here's how:

Monitoring and Evaluation

Track progress against the project plan, identifying any deviations from the timeline or budget.  This helps to ensure that the project stays on track and achieves its objectives.

• Define evaluation methods and reporting frequency.

• Outline the tools for monitoring and evaluating the project's progress and performance.

• Describe how progress will be measured against the plan.

• Plan for regular project monitoring and reporting.

Closure and Post-Implementation Plan

Outline the activities and steps to be taken once the project is completed to ensure a smooth transition from project completion to the post-implementation phase.

It includes tasks such as:

• Project handover.

• Documentation of lessons learned.

• Evaluation of the project's outcomes.

Appendix

In this section you can provide additional documentation for reference and further clarification if needed, including:

• Detailed project charts.

• Diagrams.

• Documentation

• Technical specifications.

• Relevant research findings.

Create a Scribe to your project documentation. Here's a placeholder Scribe that you can replace with your own.

Use this project plan template to save time, ensure consistency in project documentation, and tailor project plans to your specific requirements. Build a structured framework and roadmap tat will guide your project team from initiation to completion.