The project plan is produced during the planning phase. Although planning starts much earlier - even during the concept phase and requirements definition, the plan cannot be finalized until reasonable estimates of schedule and costs are made.  The project plan is the formal document that guides the execution of a project. Planning occurs through a project, that is, the planning process is dynamic and ongoing and many planning processes will be repeated during the design and execution phases as changes are made in the project.

Many problems can occur in a project if insufficient time is spent planning; the purpose of planning is to prevent those problems from occurring. causes of poor planning may include estimates that are poorly done, exception handling that is grossly misunderstood; incomplete requirements, changing or not understood; technical complexity that is misunderstood; old code content that is not known; new requirements that are added or sneaked into the plan; dictated constraints; and inadequate time to project job.

Estimating is the bridge from the work breakdown structure to planning schedules, costs, and resources. The basic process of estimating applies to the wide variety of estimates needed in projects, including time estimates for scheduling, cost estimates for budgeting, and personnel and equipment estimates for planning resources.

Scheduling a project requires both a scientific and an artistic touch. It requires a scientific touch because the schedule has to reflect the work breakdown structure tasks in a logical and interrelated way to optimize resources across the organization. Scheduling requires an artistic touch because tasks not only are technically dependent or interrelated but are often politically driven, thus requiring finesse and interpersonal skill.

Discussion Points:

What are some key steps in developing a project schedule?
Why is a project plan important in a project?
Discuss two types of Estimation techniques.