The planning method here presented is an approach that takes very little time and effort, to provide effective centralized management of the project.
For most projects, a “Planning Elicitor” will be able to produce a “Project Plan and Schedule” to be issued to all team members, and posted on the project conference room wall, in ONE DAY. His role is as a “Facilitator” only, and he need know next to nothing about the technical aspects of any specific project, but he must lead the team through an analysis of the project structure.
The “Planning Session” attendees must be comprised of staff who know (in advance) the requirements of the project in its various steps and phases, as well as the cost of materials associated with each task. They must also know the skills required, and how much effort is involved in each task. And finally, they must know the skill-set of each of the staff members or contractors that may be assigned to participate in the project.
The Elicitor will lead the group through each task, defining its duration and its linkage to previous and succeeding tasks, and making appropriate staff assignments. He will also reference each “cost of materials” item to its corresponding project task.
If the initial project plan and schedule, as posted, is reasonably accurate, then nothing more need be done. The Project Manager can simply ride out the plan to the completion of the project. This would result in an extremely low cost approach to project planning.
If the plan proves to be very inaccurate, or if there are major changes to the original requirements, then it may be necessary to hold a new one-day “Planning Session” to produce and post a new Project Plan that would apply from that point forward.
If prefered, the plan may be updated at regular intervals by a project planning coordinator, and project status meetings held for review of project progress.
