you need and what forms are most useful to manage
your project.
- Find errors.If you input bad data, you will get bad data
out.
- Solve your most critical problems.Some of the biggest
problems you encounter will relate to people. Obviously,
project management software does not address this
issue at all.
Project Manager’s Checklist for Chapter
❏ The first step in the entire detailed planning process is to
identify and break down the work to be done. The work
breakdown structure (WBS) is the preferred tool for doing
this.
❏ Work breakdown structures can be adapted to serve many
planning functions, such as an estimating worksheet.
❏ Preparing a network diagram with your entire team using
“sticky notes” is a very efficient technique—andan excel-
lent teambuilding exercise.
❏ There are two ways to characterize the “size” of an activity:
effortrefers to how many labor hours will be logged to the
activity (used for costmanagement); durationrefers to the
window of time within which the activity will be started and
completed (used for schedulemanagement). You’ll need to
keep track of both!
❏ The critical path is the longest path through the schedule.
There is no margin for error with respect to when these
activities in the critical path can be done. By definition,
delaying a critical path activity means delaying the project.
❏ There are many types of costs. Make sure you’ve account-
ed for all of them in your cost estimate.
❏ Don’t fall into the trap of believing that project manage-
ment software will manage your project for you. It’s simply
a tool.
Preparing a Detailed Project Plan: Step by Step 139
