The previous section introduced several new planning components, in addition to the core work plan, budget, and control elements you can expect, and referenced the impact that several of them have on the overall project planning effort. To help summarize and organize this information, see Table 5.1.
TABLE 5.1 Summary of Supplemental Project Plan Components
| Project Plan Component | Purpose | Key Elements/Notes | Impact on Project Planning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change Control Plan | Describes how the project success factors (scope, cost, schedule, quality) will be managed and how changes will be integrated. | Can include assessment of expected stability of project scope. | Proactive approach; manages expectations. |
| Communications Plan | Describes how the information and communication needs of project stakeholders will be met. | Often documented and presented in tabular form. | Communications management plan details must be added to WBS and project schedule. |
| Configuration Management Plan | Describes how changes to project deliverables and work products will be controlled and managed. | Should include both technical work products and project documentation. | Proactive approach; manages expectations. |
| Procurement Management Plan | Describes how the procurement process will be managed. | Contract types; roles of project team and procurement department. | Remaining procurement management tasks must be added to project schedule. Constraints of scheduling procurement activities with third-party vendors might impact the project schedule. |
| Quality Management Plan | Describes the project quality system. | Should address both project work products and the project processes. | Cost and schedule adjustments might be needed to meet quality standards. Quality assurance and quality control activities must be staffed and added to the project schedule. |
| Responsibility Matrix | Lists the project roles and responsibilities. Cross-references roles with assigned resources. | RACI matrix. | Ensures all required resources are accounted for. |
| Resource Management Plan | Indicates when project resources are needed on the project (start and end dates). | Impact if resource cannot meet all skill requirements. Impact if resource must be acquired at rates higher than estimated. | Cost baseline, work estimates, and project schedule are in flux until the final resources are acquired. |
| Risk Management Plan | Describes how the risk management process will be structured and performed. | Describes the process to be used. | Ensures risk management tasks are added to WBS and project schedule. |
| Risk Response Plan | Describes the response strategies for identified risks. | Risk Log. Details action steps to be taken if risk event occurs. | Risk response strategies might entail the allocation of additional resources, tasks, time, and costs. Budget reserves, contingency plans. |
| Variance Management | Describes how performance (cost, schedule) variances will be managed. | Documents planned responses to different variance levels. | Proactive approach; manages expectations. |
Note
To assist with the review and acceptance process of the project plan, consider the following:
- Distribute the project plan and components to reviewers in advance of the official review meeting.
- Prepare a summary presentation of the project plan.
- Encourage open, honest feedback.
- Seek understanding and buy-in first; then and only then, ask for the acceptance sign-off.
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