What is project planning?

Around 70% of projects fail, mainly due to a lack of clear objectives. The consequences of such failure can be severe for an organization, resulting in significant financial losses and a tarnished reputation, particularly if customers and business partners find themselves disappointed. It can also have a negative impact on internal teams. 

So how do you ensure project success? The first crucial step towards success is solid, accurate planning. In this article, you'll find out in detail what project planning is, as well as some practical tips on how to get it right. 

What is project planning? 

Project planning involves anticipating and defining upstream what to do, when to do it, how to do it, and who will be responsible for carrying out the actions required to achieve the objectives set. It's like drawing up a detailed map that guides the team towards the project's success.

In project management, planning involves several crucial activities: 

• Clearly define the project's objectives and scope to define its boundaries, 
• list, prioritize and organize the order of actions to be carried out, establishing a logical sequence for their execution, 
• estimate the resources required. This includes an assessment of the financial, human and material requirements to carry out each stage of the project efficiently, 
• identify the risks that could affect the project, and devise strategies to manage them appropriately. Preparing for these risks means minimizing their impact and being better prepared for eventualities, 
• define monitoring and performance indicators. 
• set up appropriate means of communication to ensure smooth coordination between team members and project stakeholders. 

💡Planningis therefore a fundamental step that paves the way to project success by precisely determining the steps to be taken, the resources required and the actions to be undertaken. It constitutes a detailed roadmap, making it possible to anticipate, organize and precisely define all the stages and actions required to achieve the objectives set. It is a fundamental pillar of project management, making a major contribution to the overall success of the project. 

What is the purpose of planning? 

The aim of project planning is to increase the project's chances of success. As we have just seen, it enables : 

• define project objectives,  
• identify potential risks and obstacles,  
• develop strategies to mitigate them,  
• allocate the necessary resources,  
• create a schedule and budget,  
• communicate with stakeholders and manage change. 

💡Projectplanning is a complex activity, but it's essential to the success of a project. By investing in planning, organizations can increase their chances of completing projects on time, on budget and in line with requirements. 

What are the main benefits of project planning?

• Increased probability of project success, 
• reducing risks and obstacles, 
• improved communication with stakeholders, 
• improved resource management, 
• improved project quality, 
• improved project profitability. 

If you'd like to find out more about the benefits of planning for successful projects, read our dedicated article. 

How do you plan your projects with PPM software like Project Monitor ? 

For optimum project planning, we recommend the use of dedicated software such as Project Monitor.

Project Monitor is a simple, adaptable and scalable PPM (Project Portfolio Management) solution designed to improve your project management, whatever the nature of your projects. This all-in-one software offers essential functionality for :

1. Facilitate the planning of all your projects.
2. Optimize the distribution of your resources' workloads.
3. Prioritize your projects with ease.
4. Control your project budgets.

Project Monitor has definitely made us abandon our Excel files for budget preparation and monitoring!

Sandrine CHABANNES, Head of Accounting and Contracts - Haute-Savoie Departmental Council

Don't hesitate to request a demo to find out how our solution can transform your project management!

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Why is project planning important?
What elements should be included in project planning?
What are the tools for operational planning?
What are the stages in project planning?
What are the 4 dimensions of project planning?
What is project planning?
How is project planning carried out?
Who is responsible for project planning?