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Strategy Development > Justification & Set Up > Outputs

Project proposal & plan

The first output, towards the beginning of this phase, is likely to be a project proposal, scoping or terms of reference document that sets out a clear definition of the problem in hand. The document may be extensive or simply a few pages, its exact form should be whatever is deemed necessary to ensure buy-in to the project from sponsors and stakeholders.

In addition, this phase should result in documentation that sets out the proposed approach to managing people, the project, stakeholders and communications.

As a minimum, a project plan should include:

• a full definition of the problem or issue to be addressed, and the key questions that need to be answered
• a structure for breaking down the problem, framing subsequent analysis and organising the team
• a commitment to key milestones and outputs
• an assessment of risks to the projects successful completion and how they may be mitigated
• a description of the project governance structure.

Plans should also be drawn up to describe the intended approach for engaging with and involving stakeholders throughout the project, and to set out the intended communications strategy.

It should be noted that these documents can only fulfil their function as the foundation for embarking on the project if they are effectively communicated, and fully understood and agreed within the team and by all key stakeholders.

Useful links:

> developing the plan

> structuring the work

> setting milestones

> managing risks

> defining accountability

> managing stakeholders and communications