You’ve probably experienced the difficulties of managing projects, such as missing deadlines, going over budget, or dealing with unhappy clients or team members. It’s not easy to let people down.
We believe that having a plan is one of the most important things you can do as project managers–for your own peace-of-mind as well as for your team.
Your best defense against common pitfalls that can lead to project failure is a plan. Let’s look at 10 benefits of project management planning.
1. Plans minimize stress
Imagine building IKEA cabinets using only a photo of the final kitchen as a guide. You’d feel overwhelmed and frustrated from the beginning. It will also affect anyone else you invite to the build.
You wouldn’t cause that much pain to yourself, so why would you do it to your team or projects?
A project plan is the guidebook that directs everyone through the steps to success. This clarity helps to eliminate confusion and allows project peace to settle in.
Learn more about how to reduce stress in projects
2. Plans inspire confidence
Good project planning doesn’t just neutralize negative project vibes. It gives everyone involved a boost of confidence.
It doesn’t matter if progress is being made in line with the deadline. Your team doesn’t have to guess what task they should tackle next. Leaders and clients don’t have to worry whether you have a strategy to deliver what they need within the agreed time and budget.
It’s all in your plan!
3. Plans drive communication
Communication is essential in project management, as everyone knows. A plan is one of your most powerful communication tools to keep everyone updated about your project. It documents every detail of your project, even when they change.
TeamGantt makes it easy to be the only one who pushes projects forward. Everyone has access the plan, can check on progress and work together in real-time.
A centralized plan streamlines project communication, which leads to greater efficiency and fewer errors. This is something that everyone can agree to.
4. Plans unite and focus groups
Agile workflows tend not to plan but instead focus on the tasks at hand. A plan does not have to stop project work.
A plan can actually rally your team around a single project vision to make it easier for them to complete tasks faster. Everyone knows exactly what must happen to get to the finish line on schedule. Priorities are clearly defined, expectations are aligned and expectations are clear.
Your team will be able to see how their work impacts others and the deadline. This gives your team motivation and helps you stay on track.
5. Plans create accountability
I don’t know if you’re aware, but I have a lot of plans that I don’t ever write down and share with anyone. These “plans” never seem like they will ever get anywhere.
It’s not an accident. Anyone who doesn’t document a plan isn’t responsible.
It raises the stakes when your stakeholders and team can be called upon to perform tasks in a plan that everyone has access. Your plan should clearly outline roles and responsibilities. This will encourage people to complete tasks on time and to the highest standards. It’s that easy.
Learn how to instill greater accountability among your team members.
The easiest way to create a project plan
In just 10 minutes, you can create a beautiful project plan. You can switch between gantt and calendar views with a single click.
In just 10 minutes, create your free plan
Drag and drop scheduling with templates is easy. You can track progress in real-time and keep everyone in touch with simple project views.