A considerable amount of work and effort is required in a software project. But with this checklist, you can keep track of everything on your plate.
It should come as no surprise that a lot goes into a software project. Even seemingly small-scale projects require extensive planning.
Given the different roles, resources, tasks and other aspects, it is important to develop a plan or template to ensure everything is done as needed. That's why we created this project planning checklist to help you consider everything before you start work.
1. Gather the requirements
This is the first step for any technology project – and projects in virtually every industry, in fact. You must meet the requirements . These are the “must-haves” that the product needs to be completed successfully.
Before you begin, work with the client and your team to get an idea of the project requirements. This will give you a clear starting point and allow you to identify how the project correlates with the organization's overall mission and objectives. You'll also determine how to define success and discover when you'll know when the project is officially complete.
2. Define the Project Scope
The scope of a project refers to everything that must be required to complete a successful project. It covers all the various features, requirements, and other elements of the project that will make it a reality. It's critical to define the scope of your project upfront — otherwise, complications like scope creep can get in the way.
Scope creep is a very common phenomenon in software development. This occurs when you try to introduce and incorporate seemingly minor features and changes into your original plan. Although an initial request may seem innocuous, clients may continue to request more substantial changes until the scope of the project is drastically changed.
3. Identify goals
Although they seem similar, objectives are different from requirements. Requirements are the aspects of the product that absolutely must be included. Meanwhile, goals refer to the results you want to achieve by completing this project.
One framework used by many professionals is the SMART method. This acronym means:
- Specific: Identify the specific goal you want to achieve
- Measurable: have clear metrics to evaluate the objective
- Attainable: Ensure your goal is realistic and achievable
- Relevant: The goal must align with your overall business plans
- Deadline: Create a deadline by which you can achieve this goal
This will give you a comprehensive framework for setting and achieving your goals.
4. Identify key results
While goals and requirements are essentially project results, deliverables are benchmarks that indicate the progress made in the effort to achieve those results. Identify the key deliverables needed to meet requirements and achieve your end goals.
These deliverables should include any and all tasks that are important as references in your overall project. Project management tools can help you better visualize and account for these deliverables.
5. Determine the budget
Your budget will affect your entire project and all the metrics and tasks associated with it. This should be an initial step in the project – establishing a realistic budget. This requires a lot of skill and work, as well as a clear understanding of the project's importance in the hierarchy of all your organization's ongoing projects, so that you know how much funding will be given to that particular project.
Be aware that if other factors (such as the schedule) change, your budget will be affected. In addition to setting an initial budget, make sure you have a clear understanding of how much money your project cannot exceed.
6. Define roles and responsibilities
Each software development team has several different roles, including developers, project manager, project owner, QA specialists, and others, depending on the nature of the product and its requirements. Your job is to ensure that you have clearly identified the critical roles that this specific team requires and ensure that each individual knows their specific tasks and responsibilities as it relates to the project.
7. Create a timeline
A timeline should take into account your expectations for reaching your end goals, as well as when you want to hit individual benchmarks. Be careful when creating this timeline, remembering to be realistic. Consider the effort involved in each delivery. To better understand how long each task should take, work with your engineers and other team members to build a realistic calendar.
This is an area where project management tools can be useful because you can set deadlines for individual tasks and keep track of the bigger picture.
8. Identify critical resources
What tools do you need to build your software? Identifying key features is an important step in the project planning checklist. This doesn't just include physical tools and programs for software development, although they should be part of this list. Your resource list also includes essential personnel, skills, and abilities that will be essential to creating great software.
When planning resources, include the specific qualities and skills you need to complete your project.
9. Identify the risks
No project is without risk. Pretending they don't exist will make them worse. That's why it's critical to identify potential risks early on. In addition to knowing what these risks are, create a plan to resolve them when they occur. Also consider how they will impact the project as a whole.
Of course, it is not possible to account for all imaginable risks. Still, do your best to develop some general strategies that will help you manage problems that arise or that cause the overall plan to go off course.
10. Inform stakeholders
Make sure you keep stakeholders informed about all aspects of your plan. You should also continue to communicate with them throughout the project.
While these individuals will vary from project to project, generally speaking this list will include:
- The client or client
- The leaders and/or managers of an organization
- The project manager (which could be you)
- Team members working on the project
- Suppliers, freelancers and/or consultants
Ultimately, this category includes anyone who has a stake in the success of the project.
While every project is different, this checklist provides a clear foundation for building your own. Ensuring you are following a clear path and know what you need to do to fully complete your project will help set you up for success .
