Step-By-Step Guide: The 5 Stages of Project Success

Project planning and goal setting can be confusing, especially when you’re trying to organize your thoughts into coherent action steps.

In fact, I have a 5-day mini course that takes the stress out of project planning.

Sometimes our minds can be full of ideas and inspiration, but actually narrowing down what we want to achieve, why we want to achieve it, and how to accomplish it can be a challenge.

Here’s a step-by-step plan to maximize your chances of project success.

1. Idea Stage 

Each project you complete will start with a single idea. Of course, there is a long path from your initial concept to the finished product, but this stage deserves just as much attention as the rest. Remember your foundation?

In the idea stage, you go through the experience of project discovery, or a process of initial research. This research determines whether the project is a good idea, whether it will be successful, and how you can achieve the results you want.

Consider the value that the project has for you and your business. Just because we can do something, doesn’t mean we should. Sometimes your initial research might show that a certain project has little value.

2. Planning Stage

After you’ve taken the time to brainstorm and do research, it’s now time to plan (my favorite stage!). The plan you write at this point in the process defines your SMART goals, time budget, financial budget, and resources.

We’re Life Editors, and we know that all project plans need some editing as you go along. Give yourself permission to adjust your goals, projects, and tasks as you encounter obstacles or unforeseen challenges.

3. Project Work Stage

Now you’re at the stage where you can do your main project work. At this stage, you define the parameters of your project how to measure its progress. Do your daily tasks to make progress, and track your results.

The good thing about tracking the progress of your project is that modern technology makes it easier to record and gather data that can then be analyzed to provide clear evidence-based results. 

4. Control Stage 

The control stage is not separate from all the others but is integrated throughout the process from the beginning to the end.

The aim of this part of the project is to monitor progress and compare it to your original goals and plan. This allows you to make any necessary changes if things are veering too far off course. 

5. Closing Stage

At the end of your project, you should set aside some time to properly close things down. In particular, evaluating how well you have met your goals and what could be done better the next time is a valuable step.

This information will help you make your next project plan so that you and your business are always improving and growing.

NEXT STEPS: Design your new project plan with the Edit My Life Planner.

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