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You may use it only if you are a Mindtools member or have received it under corporate license.  \nIf you have any queries, please contact us at[mtecustomerservices@mindtools.com](mtecustomerservices@mindtools.com).  \nContents  \n1. Introduction 1  \n2. Action Planning 2  \n3. Work Breakdown Structures 5  \n4. Gantt Charts 9  \n5. Key Points 12  \nPlanning Small Projects Skillbook | Mindtools iii  \n1. Introduction  \nAt some point, you’ve likely managed a small project – whether  \nyou realized it or not! Perhaps you put together a design proposal  \nfor a new product or service, changed a business process, or reorganized information storage foryour company.  \nMost people have a healthy respect for large or “flagship” projects, and for the planning that’s required to make them a success. But we often overlook the importance of small projects, which can be just as critical to the smooth running of your organization. The scale may be different, and the process less complex, but the key principles of planning are the same.  \nIt can be tempting to skip the planning phase of small projects, particularly when you’re already familiar with the work involved. But this can be a big mistake. If you don’t plan your small project thoroughly, you might overlook critical steps, miss deadlines, or make costly errors.  \nIn this Skillbook we explore a set of simple planning tools that you can use to deliver small projects effectively.  \nYou’ll learn how to:  \n• Use an Action Plan to identify essential tasks.  \n• Create a Work Breakdown Structure to break actions down into manageable chunks.  \n• Draft a simple Gantt Chart to schedule events and create a project timeline.  \nPlanning Small Projects Skillbook | Mindtools 1  \n2. Action Planning  \nT  \nhere are a number of formal techniques, such as PRINCE 2® and PMBOK®, that you can use to plan large projects. These are designed to help you keep everything organized and running smoothly.  \nWith small projects, however, most of the information is in your head.  \nYou just need to come up with an easy and efficient way to organize it.  \nFor small projects, you may not have the time or resources to create a project charter or to analyze your critical path, and it’s usually not necessary. Instead, you can just devise a clear and concise plan that defines what has to be done, who has to do it, and when each task should be completed.  \nUsing an action plan can bethe fastest and most efficient way todo this. Here, you create a simple list of the tasks you have to complete to reach your project goal.  \nAction:  \nThink of a small project that you’re working on, or one that you’ll be starting soon. Brainstorm a list of everything that you need to do to make it a success. Use the SCHEMES mnemonic, below, to make sure that you cover all the bases:  \n• Space.  \n• Cash.  \n• Helpers/people.  \n• Equipment.  \n• Materials.  \n• Expertise.  \n• Systems.  \n(Not all projects will have considerations in each category. This mnemonic simply helps you to remember all of the key tasks that may apply.)  \nNote down your ideas in the table on the next page.  \nPlanning Small Projects Skillbook | Mindtools 2  \n\n| Space |\n| --- |\n|  |\n| Cash |\n|  |\n| Helpers/People |\n|  |\n| Equipment |\n|  |\n| Materials |\n|  |\n| Expertise |\n|  |\n| Systems |\n|  |\n\nPlanning Small Projects Skillbook | Mindtools 3  \nWhen you have a basic outline of what’s required to complete your project successfully, you might be tempted to stop planning and start taking action straight away.  \nHowever, before you proceed, it’s useful to take a moment to consider how your project fits into the three key project-management areas of budget, scope and s","cbCaifz0SqgcSNeo","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaifz0SqgcSNeo","pdf",612538,"English","# Introduction\n## Action planning overview\n# Action Planning\n## SCHEMES mnemonic\n## Budget, scope and schedule\n# Work Breakdown Structures\n## Work packages and actionable steps\n# Gantt Charts\n## Project timeline scheduling\n# Key Points","[{\"question\":\"Why should small projects still be planned thoroughly?\",\"answer\":\"Skipping planning can lead to missed deadlines, overlooked critical steps, and costly errors. Small projects may be simpler, but the core planning principles still apply.\"},{\"question\":\"What is an Action Plan used for in this skillbook?\",\"answer\":\"An Action Plan creates a simple list of tasks needed to reach the project goal. It helps define what must be done, who will do it, and when each task should be completed.\"},{\"question\":\"How does the SCHEMES mnemonic help during Action Planning?\",\"answer\":\"SCHEMES provides categories—Space, Cash, Helpers/people, Equipment, Materials, Expertise, and Systems—to ensure you cover key considerations. Not every project fits every category, but it supports completeness.\"}]","Planning Small Projects - Mind Tools Skillbook | PDF",1789182119]