“To proceed without a plan is to proceed with a plan…a plan to fail.”
It’s an oft-quoted argument for having a plan. Although sometimes, in the heat of creativity, or in the spark of a new idea, we collaborate on projects without specifics. Here’s 5 things to watch out for, be aware of and circumvent in order to give your project the best chance of success.
1. Scope Creep
If you haven’t heard of scope creep, google it as it’s a catchphrase for one of the most inevitable parts of a project management. Let’s build an airplane. No wait, let’s make sure it can fly at night. Let’s make sure it has lasers that reach 40 miles. No, 80 miles. It also has to glow in the dark. And reach the moon. Deadline? What deadline? We are trying to build a space ship. Now, let’s design the fleet of space ships. See? It started so simply.
2. Money Matters
How and when will invoices be addressed? What are limits on number of hours spent in a week or a month? What are expectations for deadlines? Whose responsibility is billing and payments?
3. Begin with the End in Mind
The more specific the goal is, the better.
4. Storyboard it – no matter what “it” is
Blueprints, miniatures, sketches, drawing boards, image boards, mood boards, or official storyboarding are all ways to start to formulate the idea before you all dive in. Storyboard is important as it shows STEPS of the project, so that you can look at where milestones are in the project, even if they are movable. How will each team member feel at different points in the process? Are certain milestones going to be challlenging, or rewarding? Prepare yourselves for the mental states of different parts of the project. This doesn’t have to be fancy. Get out the napkin and ballpoint pen and start.
5. Commitment
Make sure everyone is on the same page with how it will be determined that the project is done. Make sure there is a clear commitment to reach a minimum finish line, and incentives for achieving it with flying colors. Good luck!
Photo: Set-up for an event involving actors and musicians, featuring a one-act play as well as numerous short musical sets. Actors and musicians worked together to prepare and execute this event.