Plan a project from start to finish
Turns a goal into stages, tasks, a timeline and the risks to watch.
Plan this project: [the project and its goal]. Deadline: [the date]. People and budget: [who’s involved, and what you can spend]. Already done: [anything done so far]. Give me: the stages in order; the tasks in each stage, each with an owner (by role) and a rough time; the milestones; the three biggest risks, each with a way to reduce it; and what must happen this week. Show the timeline as a table, week by week. Be straightforward, and point out anything in my plan that looks unrealistic.
Tips and an example: Plan a project from start to finish
Tips for a better answer
- Ask what usually goes wrong in projects like yours, and add those to your risks.
- Put the plan where everyone can see it, and update it every week.
An example, filled in
Plan this project: moving our small office to a new building without losing a working day. Deadline: 31 August. People and budget: four staff and a removals firm; a budget of £6,000. Already done: the new lease is signed. Give me: the stages in order; the tasks in each stage, each with an owner (by role) and a rough time; the milestones; the three biggest risks, each with a way to reduce it; and what must happen this week. Show the timeline as a table, week by week. Be straightforward, and point out anything in my plan that looks unrealistic.