Task Descriptor: Plan the Project
Define a coarse-grained plan for the project.
Based on Method Task:  Plan the Project
Relationships
RolesMain: Additional: Assisting:
InputsMandatory: Optional: External:
  • None
Outputs
Steps
Identify and manage risks
Define the main project constraints

All project have constraints. Much as everyone wants to deliver high-quality projects on time, on budget and with the full set of features, there are times when project managers have to make compromises.

Based on stakeholder input, the project manager should determine the key project constraints. This may involve the scope, key features that must be delivered for the project to be useful, and key delivery dates such and the flexibility of those dates. Constraints may also include dependencies on other projects or organizations.

Understanding these constraints helps the project manager to make good decisions when tradeoffs need to be made during the project.

Define project scope and duration

The project manager defines a rough, high-level scope and duration for the project. This initial estimate is usually not very accurate and needs to be refined during the project.

If the main constraint is the scope, the project manager focuses on estimating the time and effort needed to develop the full scope. If the main constraint is the delivery date, the manager often needs to estimate how much can be developed by the delivery date.

This estimation is usually a joint effort involving the project team and key stakeholders.

Define project measurements

The project manager needs to decide how to measure and track the progress of the project. The simplest measure of progress is the number of requirements that are implemented and tested. Stakeholders may want additional visibility, especially on larger projects, into measures such as how many use-cases have been fully detailed and reviewed, outstanding defects, blocked tests, and so on.

Consider documenting the measurement approach in the project plan to ensure that all stakeholders are aware of the measurements. 

Define phases and milestones

The objective of defining the project phases and milestones is to define the project's important stages, not to detail how it will reach them. This plan can then be used as a roadmap by the project manager, by the project team, and by the stakeholders.

For each phase, the project manager needs to define its start and end dates, its objectives and its milestones. The end of each phase usually corresponds to a milestone, but the project manager can decide also to have intermediary milestones, during long phases for example.



Define number, length and objectives for iterations

When the lengths of the phases are determined, the project manager will need to define the length, number, and objectives of the phase iterations.

Each iteration produces an actionable result (e.g. executable subsystem) that is used to assess progress and quality. Because each iteration has a different focus, the functionality and completeness of the iteration deliverable will vary. Iteration goals must be specific enough to be assessed at the end of the iteration. Goals in early iterations usually focus on risk mitigation; in later iterations, goals are more focused on functional completion and quality.

Validate staffing of the project

The Project Manager needs to ensure that the right team is in place. That means:

  • There are enough people on the team,
  • The people have all the necessary skills.

If the right people are not available, the project manager needs to change this by hiring people, requesting reassignments, by training people that are available, or by adapting the scope or duration to fit the available personnel.



Define the process for the project

Decide on the process to be followed.  Often you can adapt existing processes to the specific context of your project. Rather than again describing again all the processes, you can make references to existing process guidance and, in the project plan, describe the differences for your specific project. For more detailed guidance on process definition for a project, see [RUP06].

Prioritize work
Properties
Multiple Occurrences
Event-Driven
Ongoing
Optional
Planned
Repeatable