The Planning process for PMI consists of those processes that need to take place for the project manager to plan how to manage the project. Number one, you must determine how you will do planning. Hmmm, did I do that on my last project? I don’t think we planned how to plan, we jumped in feet first. This may have been a crucial step that we forgot. Other steps include:
- Finalize requirements, and complete scope for the project. In our example of a MDM project, our scope document would be completed during this process.
- Determine any purchases, and the team (based on skill-sets) that must take place based on the requirements and the scope.
- Create a work breakdown structure, and the accompanying dictionary. If you are not familiar with this, it would be the high level processes that take place (i.e. Identify and document source systems).
- Create an activity list, and a network diagram.
- Estimate resource requirements, time and cost for the MDM project.
- Determine critical path, develop the schedule, and the budget.
- Determine quality standards for the product you are creating, and address what metrics can be monitored for the MDM project (i.e. Number of customers, number of products, etc.).
- Plan how to communicate the project to management. This is a critical step, and must be addressed in our MDM project. PMI recommends creating a stakeholder registry with information on how to communicate with them.
- Perform risk identification, risk analysis (qualitative and quantitative), with a response plan. For our MDM project we may create a risk mitigation document.
- Prepare any procurement documents.
- Develop and finalize the project management plan, and performance measurement baseline that is realistic.
- Gain formal approval of the plan. Usually, in the form of a sign-off. My preference is to always deliver the information about the project to the sponsor and stakeholders for their approval.
- Hold kickoff meeting — this would include all the team member, stakeholders, and sponsors to officially start our MDM project.
Wow, that is a lot in this planning process!