3.Overview of project planning
hen working on projects, you need to plan appropriate schedules, manage time, communicate, and collaborate. Even if you’re working on a project independently, it’s likely that you’ll be communicating with others at some point in the production process, especially when engaging in user testing.
Let’s explore some guidance for successfully completing and delivering projects, as an individual or member of a larger team.
Documentation and tracking
Documentation plays a critical role in project management. A design document acts as a single source of truth, where you can record the specific requirements for the experience that you want to create. The design document also supports producers and project managers to track design and development progress.
When managing projects, consistently use design documents in the following ways to guide the design and development process:
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Identify the purpose, audience, and goals of your project.
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Identify the necessary project steps by creating a project plan.
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Within the project plan, create a timeline with specific deliverables and due dates.
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Consistently track your milestones in order to produce deliverables and meet deadlines.
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Assign roles when working in teams, and define and prioritize tasks for you and all teammates
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Make sure you and all teammates are following up and following through on roles and responsibilities.
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Time management
Effective time management is critical to timely delivery and completion of the project.
When managing projects:
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Scope time for each phase of the design and development process.
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Review your project plan daily, and give brief daily status reports to the project manager or producer (often these daily updates are called “stand-ups”).
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Use contingency planning for any unforeseen delays; reprioritize and update the tasks and deliverables in your project plans when needed.
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Identify which project planning and management tools are suitable for you or your team; when you’ve chosen them, use them consistently.
Communication
Without clear communication, collaboration is challenging at best - and impossible at worst. Communication is one of the most important skills for working with others in any capacity, and is vital for effective project management.
When communicating with others on your project:
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Be clear about your progress and any issues that impact the work of others, whether they are members of your team or supporting external collaborators.
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Be respectful of others’ time — and of your own.
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When critiquing work, remain constructive and sensitive to the feelings of others. Focus on making your feedback helpful, specific, and respectful.
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Be open to feedback yourself by actively listening and engaging with the person delivering the feedback. Reflect honestly on how their feedback can be addressed.
Respect and professionalism
Even if you’re completing a project for personal development or fun, when working with others it’s important to respect them and have a professional attitude in your work.
When collaborating on a project with others:
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Be punctual.
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Promptly reply to collaborators, peers, and clients.
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Listen to others’ opinions and contributions.
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Actively engage in collaborative work.