Project planning.  A two word phrase that spans everything from
doing “it in your head” to complex gannt and mind map plans.  With,
all that variability, there’s a lot consistency as well, including the fact
that project plans can get stale and out-of-date pretty quickly after inception.

So here’s a quick blog on project planning and the two key questions that
I’ve found consistently improve your results, regardless of how you
approach project planning.  Let  me know what you think.

Two questions that improve any project planning effort.

1. The first question is simply this:  “How much face validity does
the plan have,  to you… to others… in representing the key steps
needed to reach the outcome?”  This question is generally applicable,
but creates  the most  value when heading into uncharted areas,
creating innovation, etc.

Face validity is the sense you get when looking at a plan, that it
addresses the needed steps.  It makes sense.  If you had to bet your
lunch on it… you would take the bet. 

Here’s the real secret to face validity.  It’s outcome based.Â
The plan looks like it will realistically get you to the outcome. 

You might be surprised at how many people get lost when creating
a plan, want to make sure they include everything and lose the focus on
“what’s the outcome” and “are we doing what’s needed to get us there.”Â
There really is no other basis for plan validity.  It’s what separates
forms and lists from a real plan.

2.  Here’s the second question: “Is it (the plan) working?” 

That conveys two things, which can be very difficult to get.
It conveys that you keep the plan open to adjustments.  Maybe I
should better write that as you keep hammering on and reshaping
the plan based on what happens mid-stream.

It also conveys that you’re getting data, updates, results, feedback
in a timely manner that let’s you respond to that question based upon
current data… nothing else.

You see I think most people mistakenly believe that project planning
is limited to the first part of a project.  Like there’s some point at which
you finish the plan, and then you just execute it from there.  I think
that’s a big mistake, at least it sure is on most of my projects.  I can’t
remember a single major project in the last 10 years that worked out
exactly according to the initial plan. 

If you don’t update the plan, it quickly becomes outdated and marginalized,
or drags the entire project management process down because  efforts
are aligned with an outdated plan that doesn’t reflect current realities well.

What if project planning keeps going until the project is complete and
you’ve done your “lessons learned” review?  For me, project planning
starts with a definition of outcomes, schedule and resources, but
continues throughout the life cycle of the project with a continual
reference to that key question – Is the plan working?

Bottom Line:
Project planning is mistakenly thought of as a phase at the front end
of projects.  I think it goes throughout the life cycle of the project and
is best shaped by two ongoing questions:
1. Does the plan have validity, does it make sense, will what’s included,Â
what’s focused upon, clearly get us to the outcome?
2. Is the plan working, have you checked, based upon what data?

Separate yourself from the crowd - keep it real and keep it current.