Let’s Begin

This is where the magic happens. In the Planning Phase, you’ll create your project plan.

If you’ve jumped ahead to get started, refer back to the Conductor’s Overview for more information, when needed.

Your project plan has four sections:

• Project Scope of Work – (Written)
• Project Diagrams – (Visual)
• Project Budget – (Financial)
• Project Schedule – (Duration)

Each section describes a different aspect of your project, to describe it in clear detail.

The Scope of Work describes your project in written form. It helps identify which Diagrams you should create.

The Diagrams describe your project visually. They help quantify materials, specify locations, and visualize activities. This helps develop the Budget and Schedule.

The Budget describes the project costs. It helps you decide if you can afford everything you want to do.

The Schedule describe the project timing. It helps you realistically figure out the project duration and potential finish date.

Working on one section of the project plan, helps add clarity to other sections. So, don’t expect to finish your project plan in one time through the planning actions.

It’s natural to work a little on one section, then another and back again. As you make decisions and gain information, modify all sections to reflect changes.

You can start and stop at any time along the way and pick up where you left off. When you get ‘stuck’, just move on. You’ll come back to that point after you’ve worked on something else.

Make each section of the project plan reflect the best combination of your needs, wants and wishes.

Making big changes during bidding is difficult, and anything not specified at contract will cost money during construction. So, take care to finish the planning phase.

When you’re done, you may find you’re plan is balanced between what you wish to have and what you’re budget affords. That’s the perfect starting point.