---

name: project-planning description: Master project planning with WBS, Gantt charts, resource allocation, scheduling, and comprehensive planning techniques for successful project delivery.

Project Planning

Create comprehensive project plans with work breakdown structures, schedules, resource allocation, and risk planning for successful project execution.

When to Use This Skill

• Starting new projects
• Creating project plans
• Estimating timelines
• Allocating resources
• Planning budgets
• Scheduling tasks
• Defining deliverables
• Setting baselines

Core Concepts

1. Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

CopyProject: Website Redesign
├── 1.0 Planning
│   ├── 1.1 Requirements gathering
│   ├── 1.2 Stakeholder interviews
│   └── 1.3 Project charter
├── 2.0 Design
│   ├── 2.1 Wireframes
│   ├── 2.2 Visual design
│   └── 2.3 Prototype
├── 3.0 Development
│   ├── 3.1 Front-end development
│   ├── 3.2 Back-end development
│   └── 3.3 Integration
├── 4.0 Testing
│   ├── 4.1 Unit testing
│   ├── 4.2 Integration testing
│   └── 4.3 UAT
└── 5.0 Deployment
    ├── 5.1 Production deployment
    ├── 5.2 Training
    └── 5.3 Go-live support

2. Gantt Chart

CopyTask               | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr |
-------------------|-----|-----|-----|-----|
Planning           |█████|     |     |     |
Design             |  ███|█████|     |     |
Development        |     |  ███|█████|███  |
Testing            |     |     |  ███|█████|
Deployment         |     |     |     |  ███|

Milestones:
📍 Jan 31: Planning complete
📍 Feb 28: Design approved
📍 Apr 15: UAT complete
📍 Apr 30: Go-live

3. Resource Allocation

Copy| Resource | Role | Allocation | Duration | Cost |
|----------|------|------------|----------|------|
| John     | PM   | 50%        | 4 months | $20K |
| Sarah    | Designer | 100%   | 2 months | $15K |
| Team A   | Dev  | 100%       | 3 months | $45K |
| QA       | Test | 75%        | 1 month  | $8K  |

Total: $88K

Best Practices

1. Start with objectives - Clear goals and success criteria
2. Decompose work - Break down to manageable tasks
3. Estimate realistically - Include buffers for unknowns
4. Identify dependencies - Sequence tasks appropriately
5. Allocate resources - Match skills to tasks
6. Build in contingency - 10-20% buffer for risks
7. Baseline the plan - Establish measurement point
8. Review and adjust - Regular plan updates

Resources

• PMBOK Guide: Project planning standards
• MS Project / Smartsheet: Planning tools