Step 8:  Timelines and Schedules

When people are involved in projects, what is usually expected is a schedule or timeline of events.  If the Milestones are clarified in sufficient detail, then the timeline and attendant schedule becomes easy.  You just take the result to be achieved by the first milestone and shift it from a result to an activity within the scheduled time frame involved. 

What follows in Project Planning Example: Part 1 is a detailed schedule developed by a freight consultant (a former student of The Business Builder™) for the benefit of what was at that time a potential customer.  This schedule was developed after setting goals attached to a series of milestones, consistent with the steps listed above.

The result of the proposal (of which this schedule formed a part) was that the consultant was successful in gaining the work, and then produced savings of over 23% for this customer.  Both the customer and the consultant attribute much of the success of the program and its implementation to the effectiveness of the communication by the various parties involved (It didn’t hurt that the consultant was exceptional at her job of generating savings with freight carriers either).  The customer pointed to the schedule as an example of the clear and complete communications made available to the group of companies by the consultant.

This project planning template served as a direct support tool in gaining this customer and keeping the various parties up to date with progress as it occurred.

Step 9:  The First Few Steps:

After completing all this, the next step is to clarify the first few steps toward milestone number one.  By making them measurable and useful, you will find it easier to unfold the remainder of your project.

Step 10:  Debriefs Along the Way

After you reach your first Milestone, debrief your progress.  That way you have the opportunity to learn from your experiences and grow, both personally and professionally as you implement your project.

Summary

You are now on your way.  Effective project planning will allow you to meet your corporate challenges, as you gain and keep more customers at a profit as you build your business consistent with your goals and commitments in life.