Module 1 - Planning Phase

Project Life Cycle

Conceptual Phase → Planning Phase → Execution / Implementation Phase → Closure Phase

Project Planning

is a form of operational planning, whereby the consecutive steps to implement the project activities are carefully mapped out, based on an analysis of relevant information

Project Planning

involves establishing the scope, aims, and objective of a project, the way in which the project will be performed, the roles and responsibilities of those involved and the cost estimates

Planning

normally answers the questions like what, how, who, and when

Planning

is simply how to seek the balance between object constraints to achieve the set goal

Inputs in Project Planning

• Project Charter

• Concept Proposal

Process of Project Planning

• Assessment

• Prioritization

• Design of plan using various tools and techniques

Output of Project Planning

• Project Plan

  (Project requirements, Project Plan of Action and Project Management Plan-Implementation plan, Monitoring and Evaluation plan)

Commonly Used Tools for Project Planning

• Gantt Chart

• Problem Tree Analysis

• SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)

• LFA (Logical Framework Analysis)

• Project Managing Softwares

• PRECEDE PROCEED

• Intervention Mapping (e.g. health promotion projects)

Planning Steps

1. Assessment of Situation

2. Identification and Prioritization

3. Project Design and Development

4. Plan for Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation

5. Project Development

Assessment of Situation

• Stakeholders Analysis (Project Team, Scientific Community, Leaders, Community People, Beneficiaries) → Project Organization Chart

• Study of Legal Frameworks

• Construct Framework for Situation Analysis

• Baseline Information Collection and Analysis (Secondary Data Review, Surveys, and other formal and informal sources)

Two Components of Identification and Prioritization

• Problem Identification and Prioritization

• Identification and Prioritization of Strategies

Project Design and Development

• Defining Scope of Project and set Objectives

• Defining Project Duration

• Define the Quality Plan

• Planning for Communication and Coordination

• Planning for Resources

  • Human Resource Planning

  • Time and Resource Allocation

  • Financial Planning (Cost Estimation and Budgeting)

  • Logistics Planning (Contract suppliers and create procurement plan)

Plan for Implementation

• Plan for Piloting/Testing and Scale Up

• Plan for Tracking Budget and Work Plan

• Plan for Risks and Adaptable Changes

Plan for Monitoring and Evaluation

• Done on the basis of Set Targets, Indicators, Quality Standards

• PERT/CPM for tracking the projects

• LFA for tracking achievements and progress

• Evaluation Questions, Evaluation Targets, Evaluation Methods and Timings

Proposal Development

• Adjustment in Objectives and Targets and other factors

• Proposal Outline

• Writing of Proposal

• Submission to concerned authority for approval

Planning

is expanding of concepts and refinement of ideas

Relevance of Planning

• Selecting the important problem and appropriate strategy

• Pre determines appropriate scope and quality

• Identification of available resources and ways to mobilize them

• Helps in implementation and evaluation process