Page 102 - Budgeting for Managers

Planning and Budgeting a Project
Seven Steps to Creating a Work Plan
1. Make an incomplete list of tasks. Just write down what-
ever you think of.
2. Complete the list through visualization, plus asking the right ques-
tions and using experts. (Don’t worry; we’ll show you how.) 85
3. Group the tasks. Each group of tasks delivers one finished result.
4. Put the groups in order. If the output of Step A is used for Step B,
put Step A before Step B.
5. Organize the list into a WBS.Add enough detail.
6. Check the list: key questions.
7. Proofread and format the completed list.Add numbers if you want
them.
Some of these steps need a bit more explanation. Let’s take
a look at them. As you read this section, take a look back at
Table 5-3. Look at the bottom half, the work plan, and see how
it came from this process.
Make an Incomplete List of Tasks
There are two helpful hints here. The first is that a task is a sin-
gle piece of work done by one person that leads to a deliver-
able. A deliverable is something that I can give to you. When
you get it, you can use it for the next task without calling me or
asking me any questions. If we create a good deliverable at the
end of each step, then we build a product from solid compo-
nents. When the customer gets the finished product, it will work
without any problems or questions.
How do we plan clear tasks? Each task is work with a result,
so write it as a verb followed by a noun. If you want an exam-
ple, look at the headings of this chapter: Define the Project,
Create the Work Plan, Calculate the Cost. Your work plan should
be that crisp and clear.
The second hint is that any project has phases—a number
or series of ordered jobs that lead to success. The phase names,
with brief definitions, are listed in Table 5-1. You can start by
writing down some of the steps needed for each phase.