If you’re not ready to hire a Project Manager just yet, then I’m going to teach you how to do it yourself using my FREE PROJECT PLAN GUIDE. Don’t let anything hold you back!
Do you ever feel like your business could be going so much further if you knew how to get a project rolling? You have a great idea but aren’t sure how to make it happen. I know the overwhelm of information out there with everyone telling you how to make it big. I believe that in three hours or less you can have an action plan that will roll itself out.
Phase 1: Prepare
What prep work needs to happen before you start? Sit down and set your phone timer for two 30-minute sessions. Take a break for 10 minutes in between. Go outside and see if new inspiration hits. Brainstorm everything you need for this project. Do this step by yourself. Close all other tabs and your email. Set your phone to do not disturb. Answer the following:
WHO- Get the right people involved in your project. Who do you need? What skills and expertise will you need involved? Who are the vendors you would use for this type of project - designers, writers, technical help? Who are the experts you could go to about this?
WHAT - Are there any tools you will need for the project? What information or research needs to be done before you start? Find some articles or videos related to this topic.
WHEN - What is your time frame? What is the deadline for the project? I like to pick a deadline and back things up from there. Give yourself adequate time if you are asking vendors or designers to make edits and revisions.
WHERE - Where is your project going to live? If this is an event, where are your locations?
WHY - Why are you doing this project? What is the goal? This is where you cast vision for your project and give a statement of work. Everyone needs to be clear on what they are working towards.
HOW - How are you going to market your project? What is your promotional plan for this project?
Phase 2: Lay it all out there!
If this isn't a solo project then you will need your initial meeting with your team.
Cast vision for the project. Tell your team what the goal of the project is. Don't box them in with how you will go about it. Give them the wow not the how. If it is just yourself working on this project then try casting the vision to some friends or family and see what they think. Write out names of people that you are going to try your project plan out on. You might be surprised by what they have to say.
Get ideas and feedback. Give everyone a few minutes to write all of their ideas out on cards and then have them share. Don't be caught off guard if they have some differing ideas. That’s a good thing. You want your team thinking! Write all of their ideas down.
THEN start talking about how to make it happen. What are the steps needed? Who is going to lead out on each area of responsibility.
Phase 3: Use a Project Management tracking tool.
I personally love monday.com. There are plenty out there. Whatever you choose, everyone needs to be on board in order for it to work. If the team doesn't update it then it won't be a helpful tool. If you don’t update it as you go it won’t be helpful!
Everyone must update!
Don't use email to discus updates - On monday you can comment on each task. This is helpful to give updates.
Assign tasks to specific people.
Book weekly follow-up meetings to assess how it is going.
In monday.com, I create a board for whatever project I am working on. From there you can choose templates they offer or create your own. I like to break it down into groupings either by weeks leading up to the release of a project or break it out into categories. Under each group you can add items. Make each item a little more high level so that you can add detailed tasks in the conversation box.
Next to the items is where you can assign people to each task or how you want to be updated as the project moves along. I created a draft tag so I know if it is being worked on or not, a development tag to see that it has been moved past draft phase and a final tag if it is completed. The timeline tag is great to help you see how much time you have to complete a task and what percentage is completed thus far.
I recommend putting all project responsibilities into the tool leading up to launch date. Go ahead and book a weekly check-in time with yourself or a weekly check-in meeting with your team to see how things are going on the project and to discuss potential problems. The great thing about monday.com is that you will see progress as you go. You can select if you are stuck somewhere and it will notify everyone so you can troubleshoot together.
Ready to get started? My project plan guide will lead you step by step through the process.
Still feeling overwhelmed or like you don’t have the time to do this? We can take this process off your hands for a project fee. Don’t let your dream project pass you by!