The Project Plan

At the beginning of an involved writing project, professional writers often write project plans, describing the specific tasks they intend to complete, explaining how they intend to complete them (if, for instance, they will be working collaboratively or individually), and setting target dates for each stage of the project.

Format of the Project Plan

The Project Plan should be a stand-alone document containing the following sections.

The Heading

The heading should be a memo heading with To: From: Subject: and Date: lines.

The Introduction

The introduction should explain the purpose of the document, the historical context it is addressing, and it should preview the contents of the document. As you discuss the historical context, you will talk about the agreement you think you have reached with your client.

Stage One

Having divided your project into stages, the first part of the body should describe what you will do in stage one and what the target date for completion is.

Stage Two

Specify the work to be done and the deadlines to be met.

Other Stages

Continue the pattern begun in stages one and two until you have described the whole project.

Conclusion

In the conclusion, draw all of the stages together with their dates in a single table so that the reader can easily see the whole project. End with a confident and reassuring statement.

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