Plans Flashcards
What is the purpose of a plan?
To facilitate communication and control by defining the means of delivering the project products:
* Where, how, and by whom?
* Estimate when and how much.
What is the definition of a plan?
A document describing how, hen, and by whom a specific target or set of targets is to be achieved.
These targets include products, timescales, costs, quality, and benefits.
What is a project plan?
A project plan is an overview of the entire project, indicating key items and milestones.
A schedule defines key decision points, which define stage boundaries.
The business case is updated with costs and timescales from the project plan.
The project plan should align with requirements from the corporate management level.
When is a project plan developed?
A project plan is developed during the IP (Initiating a project) process, and updated with the up-to-date information during the SB (Managing stage boundary) process at the end of each stage.
What is a stage plan?
A stage plan is a more detailed plan that facilitates monitoring and controlling day-to-day activities of its respective stage. The stage plan is created towards the end of the previous stage and is informed by the performance of the previous stage, with the exception of the initiation stage plan, which is developed during the SU (Starting up a project) process.
What is a team plan?
A team plan is an optional plan developed either while accepting a work package or during production of a stage plan, and outlines the activities of a team relevant to a work package.
This is required for complex projects or where product development is outsourced to an external supplier.
What is an exception plan?
An exception plan is a potential response to an exception report presented to the board, and is a plan intended to replace either a project or stage plan where tolerance levels are forecast to be exceeded.
This is produced to the same level of detail as the plan it is replacing, and is reviewed by the project board or corporate as part of an exception assessment.
When is an exception plan created?
An exception plan is created for either a project or stage when it is forecast to exceed the agreed upon tolerance levels.
What steps are involved in creating a plan and what qualities should a plan have?
- Design the plan - decide type, detail, and estimation methods used.
- Define and analyse products
- Identify activities and dependencies
- Prepare estimates
- Prepare the schedule
- Document the plan
- Analyse the risks
* Risk analysis should take place through steps 2-5
A plan must be first and foremost realistic and achievable.
What are management stages?
Management stages refer to key decision points which are determined by where in the project the board is expected to be required to make decsions.
This may be after a significant achievement, or more importantly, before a major commitment is made.
Management stages should also take into account how far in advance it would be sensible to plan, and higher risk projects require more management stages.
What are delivery steps?
Delivery steps are steps in development that may require technical skills. Delivery steps do not always align with management stages, and there may be stage boundaries required mid-delivery step.
What are the minimum requirements of the PRINCE2 Plan theme?
- plans must enable the business case to be realised
- have at least two stages: initiation and one or more management stages
- project must have a project plan and a plan for each stage
- should use the product-based planning techniques
- product plans for managing exceptions as needed
- define roles and responsibilities for planning
- use lessons from previous projects to inform planning
What are the key Planning management products?
- Project product description
- Product description(s)
- Product breakdown structure
- Plan(s)
