CURRENT NEWS AND TIMELY TIPS

Project Planning

Here are a few things to keep in mind when doing your project planning.

• Do take the time to define your goal and the steps toward that goal. This includes identifying any intermediate goals.

• Do prepare a financial model and a schedule. Take the time to test the sensitivity of your financial model to changes in expected costs and to delays and accelerations of your schedule.

• Do gather data as soon as feasible. You don't have to wait until you are in immediate need of data to collect it. Many times the same or similar data is required for different stages of a project. Collection of different types of similar data at the same time can be both cost effective and useful in maintaining tight project schedules. Good data collection can identify areas of potential problems early and can help avoid retracing any steps in the project.

• Do make revisions to your project plans whenever situations change. Remember, arriving at a goal requires both knowing where you are and where you are going.

• Don't try to skip any steps. This often causes delays and wasted costs.

• Don't divide the responsibility into many segments and procure data from more sources than necessary. Segmentation of a project into too many separate parts sometimes makes the costs of the individual parts appear cheaper. However this approach generally divides the responsibility for project performance without planning for the costs of coordinating the project elements.

• Don't fail to anticipate project needs. As some elements of the project proceed, other elements must be started to be ready on time. Network scheduling is often used so show the relationships between project elements and to identify those items that must be accomplished concurrently. Make use of good planning tools and techniques that are commonly available whenever possible.

In summary, project planning is easy if you take the time to think about your goals and the steps required before you begin committing project resources. "Plan your work and work your plan" is a good adage. If we can help you, give us a call.

Roaring Brook Consultants Inc has been in business for 30+ years and looks forward to putting this background to work for you. We will glad to answer your questions and provide you with a proposal for your project, free of charge.