PROJECT PLAN CHECKLIST
To successfully do even the simplest task, we need a plan. The checklist below will help ensure you have all the resources in place to achieve your goals. If you haven't already done so, you may wish to visit our Setting up a Group page. More detailed guidance on project planning can be found here and a useful diagram of the process can be found here.
Here are 10 actions that will help you to plan and implement a successful project:
- Take your time – set yourself a start date for the project that gives you plenty of time for planning.
- Don’t go it alone – there are many benefits to getting others involved. Working with others means more ideas, the sharing of workloads, more resources, more experience and, of course, more fun!
- Know where you’re going – you'd never get in your car without knowing where you want to be. Be clear about your aims – why do you want to do this project? What do you want to achieve?
- Plan the route – however big or small your project, it can be quite awesome when you consider it in its entirety. Break the tasks up into small, manageable chunks and tick them off as you go along.
- The best laid plans – sometimes things don’t always go as planned so consider contingencies. Thinking of worst case scenarios won’t make them happen, it will just make you more able to deal with them if they do.
- Keep records – make notes along the way. This will be useful for planning other projects in future.
- Ask for help – never let yourself get overwhelmed. There are many community activists out there who have been through similar experiences. Contact SCVS and ask if they can put you in touch with someone who can advise you if you’re experiencing a problem.
- Relax and enjoy – you’ve done the hard bit so feel satisfied in the knowledge that your project is going to be a success as a result of good planning!
- Learn from the experience – don’t forget to evaluate your project and the planning behind it - what worked well and what didn’t work so well? Is there anything you would do differently in the future?
- Share with others - tell them about your project and help them to achieve similar things.