- Initiation phase
This project plan is the result of the initiation phase. This phase requires no further detailed elaboration. A summary of the activities that have taken place in preparation may be included.
- Definition phase
Planned starting date: <date>
Planned ending date: <date>Description of the result of the definition phase:
A list of requirements concerning the project result will be compiled in the definition phase.
Most important milestones: <(example)>
- List of functional requirements
- Research on legal requirements
- Requirements from interviews with end users
- Requirements from end-user tests
- Report of technical requirements
- Client approval of list of requirements
<Specify when each milestone will be accomplished and who is responsible. Specify the required quality for each milestone (intermediate product).>
Activities in the definition phase:
Provide a list of the activities that must take place in order to achieve the milestones. Specify who will carry out these activities, when and by whom they will be approved (ultimate responsibility).
Timeline:
Include a chronological list of activities using a bar graph or similar visual aid. Provide a clear indication of the timing of all milestones. Do not forget to include margins.
Budget:
Provide an estimate of the costs for each activity in this phase. In addition, specify the costs for materials and supplies, as well as any other costs. Refer as necessary to external documents that specify the costs (see also the separate model for budgets).
Internal information:
Indicate how the information from this phase will be recorded and archived. Specify any resources that will be used and, if necessary, who will or will not have access to this information.
External information:
The approval of this phase by the client/customer is an important information moment. Indicate the reports that must be submitted to the client, customer or external management after this phase.
- Design phase
Planned starting date: <date>
Planned ending date: <date>Description of the result of the design phase:
A (number of) design(s) for the intended project result will be made in the design phase.
Most important milestones: <(example)>
One or more dummies
Screen design
Photo impressions/sketches
<Specify when each milestone will be accomplished and who is responsible. Specify the required quality for each milestone (intermediate product).>
Activities in the design phase:
Provide a list of the activities that must take place in order to achieve the milestones. Specify who will carry out these activities, when and by whom they will be approved (ultimate responsibility).
Timeline:
Include a chronological list of activities using a bar graph or similar visual aid. Provide a clear indication of the timing of all milestones. Do not forget to include margins.
Cost estimates:
Provide an estimate of the costs for each activity in this phase. In addition, specify the costs for materials and supplies, as well as any other costs. Provide an estimate of the costs for each activity in this phase. As necessary, refer to an external document that contains the costs. Do not forget to include a category of ‘unexpected costs’ and the costs of project management itself (also see the separate model for budgets). As necessary, refer to an external document that contains the costs (also see the separate model for budgets).
Internal information:
Indicate how the information from this phase will be recorded and archived. Specify any resources that will be used and, if necessary, who will or will not have access to this information.
External information:
The approval of this phase by the client/customer is an important information moment. Indicate the reports that must be submitted to the client, customer or external management after this phase.
After the design phase, the waterfall method continues with the development phase; the DANS method for software development continues with the cyclical section. The various possibilities are described together below. One of the two options must be chosen for the preparation of a project plan.
- Development phase <(Waterfall only)>
Planned starting date: <date>
Planned ending date: <date>
Description of the result of the development phase:
During the development phase, an action plan will be developed in preparation for the implementation phase <Note: This phase is not always necessary for every project. Particularly for smaller projects, this phase may be omitted.>Most important milestones: <(example)>
Action plan, Part 1
Action plan, Part 2
etc.
<Specify when each milestone will be accomplished and who is responsible. Specify the required quality for each milestone (intermediate product).>
Activities in the development phase:
Provide a list of the activities that must take place in order to achieve the milestones. Specify who will carry out these activities, when and by whom they will be approved (ultimate responsibility).
Timeline:
Include a chronological list of activities using a bar graph or similar visual aid. Provide a clear indication of the timing of all milestones. Do not forget to include margins.
Cost estimates:
Provide an estimate of the costs for each activity in this phase. As necessary, refer to an external document that contains the costs. Do not forget to include a category of ‘unexpected costs’ and the costs of project management itself (also see the separate model for budgets).
Internal information:
Indicate how the information from this phase will be recorded and archived. Specify any resources that will be used and, if necessary, who will or will not have access to this information.
External information:
The approval of this phase by the client/customer is an important information moment. Indicate the reports that must be submitted to the client, customer or external management after this phase.
- Implementation phase <(waterfall only)>
Planned starting date: <date>
Planned ending date: <date>
Description of the result of the implementation phase:
The project result will be built in the implementation phase.Most important milestones: <(example)>
Element 1 of the implementation
Element 2 of the implementation
etc.
<Specify when each milestone will be accomplished and who is responsible. Specify the required quality for each milestone (intermediate product).>
Activities in the implementation phase:
Provide a list of the activities that must take place in order to achieve the milestones. Specify who will carry out these activities, when and by whom they will be approved (ultimate responsibility).
Timeline:
Include a chronological list of activities using a bar graph or similar visual aid. Provide a clear indication of the timing of all milestones. Do not forget to include margins.
Cost estimates:
Provide an estimate of the costs for each activity in this phase. In addition, specify the costs for materials and supplies, as well as any other costs. As necessary, refer to an external document that contains the costs (also see the separate model for budgets).
Internal information:
Indicate how the information from this phase will be recorded and archived. Specify any resources that will be used and, if necessary, who will or will not have access to this information.
External information:
The approval of this phase by the client/customer is an important information moment. Indicate the reports that must be submitted to the client, customer or external management after this phase.
- Cyclical phase <(only the DANS method for software development)>
Planned starting date: <date>
Planned ending date: <date>
Description of the result of the implementation phase:
During the cyclical phase, the project result will be further examined, specified and built.Number of hours available for the cyclical phase:
Indicate how many hours are available for the cyclical phase, possibly distributed over the various team members, if the distribution is not equal.
Preliminary estimate of the number of cycles and their products <(example)>
Cycle 1: basic architecture
Cycle 2: interaction between servers
Cycle 3: interaction with customer
etc.
This section is important primarily for compiling the initial project plan. As the cyclical phase approaches, the planning system shifts to the use of story cards (see DANS Handbook for Project Management).
Participants in the cyclical phase:
Provide a list of participants in the cyclical phase and their responsibilities:
<example>
Jan Jansen: Programmer
Piet Pietersen: Programmer
Marie Pedro Del Mar: Programmer
Kees Keeszoon: Designer (interaction and graphics)
Client: Process information and testing
etc.
Cost estimates:
Provide an estimate of the costs for each activity in this phase. In addition, specify the costs for materials and supplies, as well as any other costs. As necessary, refer to an external document that contains the costs (also see the separate model for budgets).
Internal information:
Indicate how the information from this phase will be recorded and archived. Specify any resources that will be used and, if necessary, who will or will not have access to this information. <Story cards will be used, possibly supplemented with a project log, CVS system, bug tracker and tools (e.g. Xplanner>.
External information:
The approval of this phase by the client/customer is an important information moment. Indicate the reports that must be submitted to the client, customer or external management after this phase.
- Follow-up phase <(waterfall and DANS method for software development)>
Planned starting date: <date>
Planned ending date: <date>Note: Provide a clear indication of when evaluation will end in the project team.
Description of the result of the evaluation phase:
The project will be completed during the follow-up phase. Indicate what is and is not included in completion.
Most important milestones: <(example)>
Project report
Transfer document for administrative organisation
Project website with user information
etc.
<Specify when each milestone will be accomplished and who is responsible. Specify the required quality for each milestone (intermediate product).>
Activities in the follow-up phase:
Provide a list of the activities that must take place in order to achieve the milestones. Specify who will carry out these activities, when and by whom they will be approved (ultimate responsibility).
Timeline:
Include a chronological list of activities using a bar graph or similar visual aid. Provide a clear indication of the timing of all milestones. Do not forget to include margins.
Cost estimates:
Provide an estimate of the costs for each activity in this phase. In addition, specify the costs for materials and supplies, as well as any other costs. Refer as necessary to external documents that specify the costs (also see the separate model for budgets).
Internal information:
Indicate how the information from this phase will be recorded and archived. Specify any resources that will be used and, if necessary, who will or will not have access to this information.
External information:
The approval of this phase by the client/customer is an important information moment. Indicate the reports that must be submitted to the client, customer or external management after this phase.