Natural Project Planning

Emilien Klein

Here are my notes from The Voluntary Life podcast episode 186 on this topic. You can also listen to that episode (20 mins).

Start with personal projects, to make that skill second nature.

Project: Outcome you want to reach that has more than one step to achieve it.

  • Name the outcome
  • Always know what the next action is
  • Review it regularly

For more complex projects, use a template.

  • Do a mindmap with the name of the project in the center and start making links.
  • Then fill out a template with key questions:
    • What is the purpose and principles of the project?
      • This is being done because...
      • On purpose means...
      • The key standards to hold and making decisions and acting on this project are...
      • The rules that I'm using for this project are...
    • Mission, Vision and successful outcome, or "If this were totally successful...", or "The best possible wild success...", or "Done means..."
  • Journal or write down everything you know about the project.
  • Brainstorm, ask 50 questions about this project.
  • Write down all component parts, milestones (key points).
  • All with the end of documenting. Sequencing and workplan:
    • Sequencing: taking milestones and (sub-)components: what happens next. What can run in parallel, what is dependent on other steps.
    • Workplan: Scheduling what you do when

Make sure you keep it live. Review!