Keeping a plan in mind prior to beginning a project is very helpful and smart move. As every project has it needs and also comes with its own kind of issues.
To deal with a project efficiently it is important that you must get yourself ready for any risk management and alarming or unexpected situation. Therefore, it is crucial that you must not float around instead there is a need to have a proper project management plan on hand on time.
Project Work Plan Template Excel highlights the complete list of tasks included into a project, along with the person responsible for the tasks.
Usually what happens is that the in the early stages of project proposal and planning the work plan is also finalized. As soon as project proceeds the work plan serves as a monitoring tool to keep an eye on the project tasks and their progress.
Once the project has been approved and has begun, the plan would then serve as a tool to keep track of the project and check if there are no delays.
Download: Shipment Tracking Template
What is Project Work Plan template?
Project managers use a project work plan template to list the tasks, activities, deadlines, and resources needed to finish a project. It is a document that acts as a roadmap to make sure the project is finished on schedule, within price, and in accordance with its objectives.
Project description, goals and objectives, scope, milestones, task lists, timelines, budget, resources, risk management, communication plan, and assessment criteria are typical parts of the template.
Organization seek for the maximum output without having any trouble along the way. Taking every part of the project seriously and get an efficient tool will be a professional way of keeping the project together.
In this regard the best way is to use a professional project Implementation work plan template to save time and effort.
To make things go right there is always need a process that is professional and best tool to go along with it. A Project Work Plan Template Excel pinpoint and take all the tasks and related processes into consideration until the completion of project.
Project managers usually emphasis seriously on making a project work plan prior to starting a project. It not only provides a road map to follow but also gives a timeline for the proposed and actual outcome.
As the project start you get help from the work and monitor the project efficiently by keeping it on right path. It is important to make a comprehensive and simple plan to make it work.
Moreover, after placing the work plan into motion you need to have a regular check on its working as well.
Project work plan template in Excel
Project managers can use an Excel spreadsheet to plan and keep track of project tasks, deadlines, resources, and money with the aid of project work plan templates.
The Excel-based project work plan template typically comes with multiple sheets or tabs that let project managers organize project data. These sheets typically include a summary sheet that gives a project overview and individual sheets that break down each project component in more depth.
Some common features of a Project Work Plan Template in Excel may include:
- Task list: A list of all tasks required to complete the project.
- Timeline: A visual representation of the project timeline, including start and end dates for each task.
- Resource allocation: A sheet that lists all the resources required for the project, including personnel, equipment, and materials.
- Budget: A sheet that tracks project expenses and compares them to the project budget.
- Risk management: A sheet that outlines potential risks and mitigation strategies.
Project managers can quickly update and monitor project progress, make data-driven decisions, and communicate with project stakeholders by using an Excel project work plan template. Additionally, using an Excel template may be more accessible and familiar to many project team members because Excel is a commonly used piece of software.
Benefits of using a Project work plan template Excel?
As we have already discussed that the work plan is a tool used in primary stages of the project and it in a way aid in kick starting the project.
- It aids in saving time by keeping the easy, straightforward and under control.
- This tool also highlights the progress of the project at different stages and keep a check on the project scope.
- Work plans is an extraordinary help when you are working on a bigger and lengthy project.
- As it also helps in dealing with the stakeholders and partners of the project.
- By creating a plan of all tasks defined as a great assistance to improve the communication with employees.
- Furthermore, keeping a well-made plan on hand allows you to manage the expenses of your project with added benefit efficiently.
- Subsequently you can manage and plan of every task and process individually which reduces the probability of error to minimal level.
- Before working on a big project, the best idea is to consider making a work plan and then go ahead with the project.
- This helps in each step and also involve the team members to have them the clear picture of what they are working on.
- Additionally, it decreases the probability of going over budget while ensuring the likelihood of accomplishing the goals on time.
Thus, it recommended by project professionals to make use of this amazing tool to make things easier by monitoring tasks, projects processes.
Download: Human Resource Management Template
How to Create a project work plan Template Excel?
A work plan template is a kind of toll which keeps the project flow intact and on track on the same time. The main reason is to provide a firm path for tasks, goals, and aims of the project by covering all of its areas like financial planning of the project.
Moreover, keeping the current situation of your project in mind you need to update the work plan after some intervals.
Creating a project work plan template in Excel can help you organize and keep track of your project tasks and timelines. Here’s how you can create one:
- Open Microsoft Excel and create a new workbook.
- Click on the “File” tab and select “Save As” to save your workbook with a relevant name.
- Create a new sheet for your project work plan by clicking on the “+” button next to the current sheet tab at the bottom of the screen.
- In the new sheet, create column headings for each of the following: Task Name, Start Date, End Date, Duration, Assigned To, % Complete, and Notes.
- Fill in the task names in the Task Name column, starting with the project start date and working your way to the end date. You can create sub-tasks by indenting the row below the main task row and adding the sub-task name.
- Fill in the Start Date and End Date columns for each task. You can enter the dates manually or use Excel’s date functions.
- Use the Duration column to calculate the number of days between the Start Date and End Date for each task using a formula such as “=DATEDIF([Start Date],[End Date],”d”)”.
- Fill in the Assigned To column with the name of the person or team responsible for each task.
- Use the % Complete column to track the progress of each task. You can enter a percentage manually or use a formula to calculate it based on the number of days completed.
- Use the Notes column to add any additional details or comments about each task.
- Use conditional formatting to highlight tasks that are overdue or nearing their deadline.
- Save your work regularly as you update your project plan.
Once you have your project work plan template set up, you can use it for future projects by simply updating the task names, dates, and other details.
Types of Project Work Plan Template
Depending on the requirements and objectives of your project, you can use a variety of project work plan examples. Here are a few typical examples:
1.Gantt Chart
A Gantt chart is a bar graph that shows the responsibilities and deadlines for projects. It displays each task’s start and finish dates as well as their relationships with one another. For visualizing project deadlines and spotting potential scheduling conflicts, Gantt charts are helpful.
2.Task List
A task list is a straightforward table that contains all the duties necessary to finish a project. Columns for the task name, start and end dates, duration, assigned to, and status are usually present. Task lists are helpful for allocating duties and monitoring progress.
3.Agile Sprint Board
A visual representation of the project tasks and their state is called an agile sprint board. Columns for backlog, to-do, in-progress, and done are usually included. Agile sprint boards are helpful for overseeing initiatives and keeping tabs on development in real time.
4.Critical Path Method (CPM) Chart
The critical path, or the order of tasks that must be finished on time to guarantee the project is finished on schedule, is shown in a CPM chart, which is a network diagram that also reveals the interdependencies of project tasks. For locating possible bottlenecks and delays in the project schedule, CPM charts are helpful.
5.Project Roadmap
A project roadmap provides a broad overview of the timetable and project milestones. Key deliverables and objectives are usually listed, along with a timeline with significant dates and milestones. Project roadmaps are helpful for informing partners about the objectives and status of a project.
6.Work breakdown structure template
A work breakdown structure (WBS) is an important tool which serves and helps in planning the project work effectively. It basically is a visual representation of the whole map of the project tasks.
It aids in completing the project tasks on time with keeping a check on them along the way till completion. Also, it is helpful in managing and allocating the project budget and resources of each task.
7.Project time schedule template
Another example of such templates is project time schedule template. This tool is easy and quite straightforward with a lot of benefits to it. It shows in a simple way that what needs to be done and when.
You can use this information to make timelines and also manage the deliverables. This tool is very useful in meeting the deadlines and coves the important tasks first.
Moreover, by having all the data on hand you can priorities the work along with its needs to completion time.
To deal with your project resource, time and finances you must have a good work plan tool in your project charter. By using the work plan along with Gantt, you will be able to easily interpreted the data and simply manage it in easy manner.
In simple words this tool aids in giving a lot of information in a glance.
Also read: Best Agile Project Management Tools
