viernes, 5 de agosto de 2016

How to brainstorm a project plan

Previously, I discussed how you can use past experiences, of both yourself and others, when creating a project plan. In this post, I will focus on how you can use a simple tool, mind mapping, to develop and brainstorm a project plan. Mind mapping is a tool created by Tony and Barry Buzan. It allows you to take a ‘big idea’ and break it down into minute detail, whereby you can identify each individual task required to achieve the ‘big idea’. These individual tasks form the to-do list for your project plan. Mind mapping is the ideal tool to help you brainstorm a project plan.


Using mind mapping to brainstorm a project plan


People use mind maps in a variety of ways. What follows is a description of the 6 step process I use to brainstorm a project plan:

Step 1: Take a large sheet of paper and some coloured pens. In the centre of the sheet, draw a large circle. Inside this circle, write the main goal of the project.

Step 2: You must now break the main goal into the major tasks required to complete it. On a separate sheet of paper, list all the major tasks which comprise the project. Set yourself a deadline of a few minutes (time may vary depending on the size of the project) to complete the list. It is important, at this point, that you do not attempt to analyse any of these tasks or break them into smaller tasks. This would only serve to interrupt your thought process and restrict the flow of ideas.

Step 3: Return to the sheet on which you are creating your mind map. For every task identified in stage 2, draw a line leading out from the main circle. At the end of each line, draw a small circle, inside which you can write the major tasks you have identified.

Step 4: Take each of the major tasks, one at a time, and repeat the process from step 2. Once this has been done, you will have a series of mini-tasks required to complete each of the major tasks. Each mini task should have its own line leading out from the major task.

Step 5: Now, return to each of the small circles (major tasks), one at a time. Draw a new line out from the circle and title this line ‘to-do list’. Adjacent to this line, write down every action or activity necessary to complete the major task. Use the mini-tasks as guidance.

Review the actions you have identified, and where appropriate, put the initials of someone who can advise you, help you or take the activity off your hands. This will help prevent you from feeling overwhelmed or stressed at the size of the projects.To ensure that you have listed every action required you need to work backwards along the mind map. You should have sufficient actions to ensure that each of the mini-tasks is completed. If each of the mini tasks is completed that should ensure that each of the major tasks is completed. If all of the major tasks are completed, the main goal should be achieved.

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You now have your project plan. Like all good plans, it must be flexible and it should be regularly reviewed.These 6 steps can be used to take any idea and break it down into actionable steps. Mind mapping is a simple and effective tool. With a little familiarity and practice, you will be able to use mind mapping to brainstorm a project plan, with relative ease.

NOTE CREDIT: http://www.coachingpositiveperformance.com/how-to-brainstorm-a-project-plan/?utm_content=bufferd34e8&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer