Hal Macomber has a side bar on a recent post, stating,
The purpose of planning is getting that work done that should be done
Another approach separates planning from scheduling:
Planning is the strategy for getting the work down that should be done
The difference being Planning and Scheduling is important to the success of the project. Without a Plan, the Project Manager typically produces a schedule. This schedule shows the sequence and duration of work activities. These work activities deliver (hopefully deliver) the work needed to complete the project.
But, and this is an important but, there may or may not be a strategy for getting the work done.
Strategy - a plan of action designed to achieve a particular goal
The strategy would include (but not be limited to):
- What impediments to success will we encounter and how will we overcome them? Risk Management
- How will we recognize that progress is being made? Performance Management
- How will we confirm we are providing sufficient quality for the customer to accept the results of the project? Quality Management
These are part of the strategy and shoudl be reflected in the schedule. But they are not first order work activities "in" the schedule.
If we start with the schedule, its been my experience we miss out asking and answering these questions. If we start with the strategy, we may not get the right answers, but we at least ask the questions.
