6 Task 3: Plan Your Project
Learning Objectives
By the time you complete this section, you will be able to:
- Break down your assignment into small tasks
- Plan a realistic schedule to complete your project
A large project cannot be completed effectively in a single day. In addition, not having a realistic plan can create stress. By creating a project plan, you can complete your project by the deadline, reducing the stress of last-minute work.
Now that you have a clear idea of what you need to do, the next step is to break down the assignment into manageable “chunks”. The idea of completing a major research paper may seem overwhelming, but if you can divide the task into achievable steps you will be on your way to success.
Use the chart below to break your assignment into smaller steps. You will want to create steps that can be done easily in one day, and preferably in a single work period. Consider the following example breakdown for a research paper.
| Assignment Task | Target Completion Date | Person Responsible |
| Read assignment instructions and rubric | October 2 | |
| Team meeting to develop charter; Create project plan | October 3 | |
| Brainstorm ideas for product/business | October 5 | |
| Research: Economy and Competition | October 7 | |
| Research: Technology and Legal/regulatory | October 8 | |
| Organize notes; write outline for each main section of the project body | October 9 | |
| Write section 1 | October 10 | |
| Write section 2 | October 10 | |
| Write section 3 | October 11 | |
| Write section 4 | October 11 | |
| Write introduction and conclusion | October 12 | |
| Write executive summary | October 12 | |
| Self-edit content and organization (use the rubric) | October 14 | |
| Writing tutor appointment | October 15 | |
| Edit and proofread assignment | October 16 | |
| Submit final assignment | October 18 |
In the above example, the assignment is divided into smaller pieces, with a manageable amount to complete each day. It is also clear when each task has been completed. A daily work goal like “work on marketing project” is not well-defined, and can seem overwhelming. This can make it easy to procrastinate. By choosing specific and achievable goals, you may become more motivated to get started, and you will be able to measure your progress each day. Your plan will also help each group member stay accountable to their responsibilities.
Develop Your Plan
With your group members, develop a detailed project plan. Include due dates for each step, and choose a responsible team member for each area.
