Create a workback plan and assign tasks to yourself and team.
Plan
The planning phase is the foundation of any program. A well-planned program minimizes risks and increases the likelihood of a successful launch.
If you only remember one thing from this guide let it be this: You cannot build a program without a plan. You need to know where you're going so you can get to where you need to go 💯💯💯💯💯.
There are typically four components in the planning phase; goals, workback plan, budget and metrics.
Goals
The first step in planning is to make sure you know the goals of the program. Your program goals and objectives should be specific, measurable, and aligned with your company's vision.
🔮 Think big
Stat by outlining your long-term vision for the program. What impact do you want it to have? This should be broad.
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🤏🏾 …Now think small
Break the big-picture vision into smaller goals based on the feedback from your needs assessment. Narrowing down based on direct feedback is key.
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☑️ Assess relevance
Review your goals and ensure they're relevant and beneficial to your target audience.
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⏰ Ensure achievability
Your goals should be achievable given your resources and time frame. We love ambitious goals, but we gotta make sure you can meet them!
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🔨 Break goals into tasks
Think of a goal as the larger piece, and tasks as all the things you need to do to hit that goal.
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Workback plan
A workback plan is a timeline that works backward from the final goal to figure out what needs to be done and when.
It starts with the final milestone (typically launch date) and works backward to determine the tasks that must be completed to reach that goal on time.
To create a workback plan, you'll need 1) a tentative launch date and 2) a list of your goals and associated tasks (which you just completed above!).
Below is an example of a workback plan. You'll see the milestones in order from furthest out to closest.
It starts with the final milestone (typically launch date) and works backward to determine the tasks that must be completed to reach that goal on time.
To create a workback plan, you'll need 1) a tentative launch date and 2) a list of your goals and associated tasks (which you just completed above!).
Below is an example of a workback plan. You'll see the milestones in order from furthest out to closest.
Budget
Everyone's favorite topic!!
You need to figure out how much this program will cost, so it's helpful to start by determining expense categories, and listing out what's involved.
You need to figure out how much this program will cost, so it's helpful to start by determining expense categories, and listing out what's involved.
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Once you have your categories, start estimating costs. It's okay to make an educated guess, but again, no vibes!
Get as close to the dollar as you can. The last thing you want is to share your $10 budget with stakeholders when in reality it costs $10K.
Get as close to the dollar as you can. The last thing you want is to share your $10 budget with stakeholders when in reality it costs $10K.
Metrics
Don't forget about metrics. We get so caught up in figuring out what people need and creating the best experience (which is important), that we forget to think about what we're measuring against (which is also important).
Measuring impact is critical to know how well you’re doing to make necessary adjustments and perform effectively. Also, your stakeholders need to know if you’re getting results. A program without metrics is...you guessed it: operating on vibes.
Metrics are things you've probably already heard of; growth rate, churn rate, cost per user, Net Promoter Score, etc.
To get started on your own program's metrics, answer this: what matters and what are we trying to accomplish?
Measuring impact is critical to know how well you’re doing to make necessary adjustments and perform effectively. Also, your stakeholders need to know if you’re getting results. A program without metrics is...you guessed it: operating on vibes.
Metrics are things you've probably already heard of; growth rate, churn rate, cost per user, Net Promoter Score, etc.
To get started on your own program's metrics, answer this: what matters and what are we trying to accomplish?
🏀 Suggested Tools
🎮 Plan Sandbox
TEMPLATE
Use this basic template to get an understanding of your expense categories and cost.
