Project Plan Template Prepared by Whitney Consulting
Table of Contents 1. Project... 3 1.1 Problem or Opportunity... 3 1.2 Project Description... 3 1.3 Options Assessment... 3 2. Deliverables... 3 3. Stakeholders... 4 4. Implementation... 4 4.1 Project Tasks... 4 4.2 Governance... 5 5. Budget... 5 6. Risk... 6 7. Contact... 6 Project Plan Whitney Consulting 2
1. Project 1.1 Problem or Opportunity Detail the problem and/or opportunity that your project will solve. Why are you proposing this project? What will the impact be if it does not proceed? Start with the problem that your project will address and then develop the solution. Projects that are developed the other way around lead to a project plan that does not clearly identify why the project is needed. If there is no problem then there is no project and no grant. This is your WHY? 1.2 Project Description What will your project do exactly? Describe exactly what the project will do not why you re doing the project or the benefits of it, just list what will be done. This is your WHAT? 1.3 Options Assessment Describe what other options or variations of your project you considered and why you did not choose to proceed with that option. Why is your project the best way to address the problem or opportunity? 2. Deliverables What will the project deliver? And how will you evaluate these deliverables to make sure they are achieved? Detail the Outputs outputs are specific, tangible products like a physical building, a written report or the hiring of staff. The actual tangible thing you can point to at the end of your project. e.g. Outputs method 1 e.g. An indoor netball/basketball court One indoor court compliant with Australian construction and sporting standards, with netball and basketball markings is delivered. The indoor court is completed to standard by 31 March 2021. Practical Completion is achieved by 31 March 2021. And detail the Outcomes - the benefits of the project, such as improved health outcomes, increased tourism Project Plan Whitney Consulting 3
the social and economic benefits. This forms part of your WHY and should be directly linked to your problem. Your benefits (outcomes) will address your problem. Make sure you list all possible benefits; economic and social. Different grants will focus on different outcomes so you can highlight the relevant ones when you write your grant your project plan needs to describe every possible benefit so you can pick and choose what to focus on. e.g. Outcomes method 1 Increased physical activity amongst the population of Utopia. The community feels the Project has resulted in increased activity. Decreased GP/Hospital presentations by Utopian community members due to lack of exercise. GP/Hospital records relating to reason for presentation. Survey of community members. 3. Stakeholders Go through each of the previous sections of your Project Plan and create a list of who would be impacted by the project, who would be interested in it and whose assistance you would need to deliver the project. This will be the basis for your stakeholder engagement and communication plan. It will assist you to determine if your project will collaborate with another organisation, will ensure that the project is inclusive and based on consultation and it will guide you when seeking letters of support. Detail also the interactions you have had with stakeholders to date, including the extent and nature of these interactions. 4. Implementation 4.1 Project Tasks Create a Task List for your project. What needs to be done to deliver the project and how long will each activity take? How much will each of these activities cost? Project Plan Whitney Consulting 4
This is your HOW? It will be the basis of your project timeframes and budget when you are applying for a grant. Main Activities / Milestone Milestone Date Responsibility Cost 4.2 Governance Detail the governance arrangements for your organisation. Will there be a Project Management Team, reporting to a Committee or a Board? Things to consider: Who will be the project manager What project management protocols/methodology is proposed Reporting structure (Committees, Board etc) Reporting methods (meetings, status reports and frequencies) 5. Budget Using the information from your Task List and any quotes or estimates obtained, detail the cost estimate for the project. Also detail where the funds will come from (how much is your organisation committing, potential grants or investors) and whether they are secured/committed funds. Project Plan Whitney Consulting 5
Item of Expenditure Total 20xx to 20xx Total 6. Risk Identify any risks associated with the project. Include issues that may prevent the project progressing or that may hinder the achievement of the project deliverables. Consider and explain what you will do to reduce the chance of this risk occurring - the risk mitigation strategies. There are multiple free Risk Assessment Matrix templates that you can use to complete a Risk Assessment. 7. Contact Get in touch phone: 0422 228 162 email: tara.whitney@whitneyconsulting.com.au www.facebook.com/whitneyconsulting/ www.whitneyconsulting.com.au Project Plan Whitney Consulting 6