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August 03, 2004

Workplans

This morning I met with my client to get some additional information for the workplan I am preparing for them. For those who don't know, workplans come in all shapes and sizes, from very basic to very complex. Sometimes, workplans are required to be submitted as part of a proposal. Funding agencies may also require submission of a workplan after a grant or contract is awarded. Such plans are often prepared and submitted on an annual basis.

In its most basic form, a workplan is merely a list of tasks along with a corresponding timeframe or schedule for each task. The listing of tasks can be fairly broad or very detailed. The plan can be organized and presented in the form of a Gantt chart which visually shows when each task will be performed (e.g., specific days, weeks, months, etc.) and the relationship of the tasks to one another. Or the listing of tasks can just indicate in text form when each task is scheduled to take place -- for example, June-July, 2004.

More complex work plans usually contain additional information, such as:

  • Names or titles of the individual(s) responsible for performing each task.

  • Names or titles of other personnel who may assist with the task.

  • Additional resources required.

  • Estimated number of hours to complete each task.

  • Important assumptions.

  • Indicators of progress.

  • Milestones.

  • Expected outcomes or products.


    • Below is an excerpt from a fairly basic workplan that I prepared for a client several years ago. This plan was about 8 pages long, with about 12 tasks per page, formatted in landscape. The columns (indicated in BLUE CAPS) go across the page, not down as shown here.

    TASK - Conduct needs assessment: develop/send questionnaire; review materials; review and analyze assessment results.

    OUTCOME/PRODUCT - (1) Questionnaire; (2) Matrix and analysis of results.

    LEAD STAFF: Project Director.

    CONTRIBUTING STAFF: Project Manager, Data Analyst, Admin Assistant.

    SCHEDULE: Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 (months 1-6 of the project).

    Posted by Deborah at August 3, 2004 08:30 PM





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