Phase 2: Plan & Prepare

Phase 2: Plan and Prepare

This is where the project takes shape and the people side gets a plan of its own.

Phase 2 turns your approved direction into something you can actually execute. You'll finalize the charter, build your team, and map out the work. Just as important, you'll plan for the people: who's affected, who has influence, where resistance may come from, and how everyone stays informed. Projects that skip this half of the planning are the ones that get delivered but never adopted.

Activities in this phase 

6 activities, roughly 2–4 weeks for most projects.

Who's involved 

You, your Sponsor, and your newly formed project team.

By the end you'll have 

An approved charter, a stakeholder map, a communication plan, a risk log, and a workplan.

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The activities

Work through them in order. Each guide gives you step-by-step instructions, templates, and tips.

Activity 1 of 6

Complete Project Charter

Turn your draft into the project's foundational document. Sponsor approval makes it official and locks in shared expectations.

1–2 weeks of refinement · You + Sponsor

Activity 4 of 6

Initiate Project with Project Team

Bring your team together, clarify roles and expectations, and build shared commitment before the real work starts.

~2 hours · You + project team

Activity 2 of 6

Stakeholder Analysis & Map

Identify who's affected, who has influence, and where support or resistance may come from, so nothing surprises you later.

~2–3 hours · You + project team

Activity 5 of 6

Analyze Risks

Surface what could go wrong while it's still cheap to plan for. Every top risk gets an owner and a response.

~1–2 hours · You + project team

Activity 3 of 6

Communication Plan

Decide who hears what, when, and from whom. Consistent communication is how awareness turns into buy-in.

~2–4 hours · You + Sponsor input

Activity 6 of 6

Build Workplan

Lay out the milestones, tasks, owners, and dates that turn the charter's goals into a schedule you can manage.

~2–4 hours · You + project team

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Phase checklist

You're done with this phase when…

  • Your Sponsor has approved the One-Page Charter
  • Your stakeholders are mapped by influence and impact
  • Your Communication Plan says who hears what, when, and from whom
  • Your project team has met, knows their roles, and is committed
  • Your top risks are identified, each with an owner and a response
  • Your workplan shows the milestones, owners, and dates

Right-size it: Every project is different. Smaller, simpler projects may not need every activity, template, or step in this phase. Not sure what applies to you? Ask Stu or book office hours and we'll help you scale it to fit.

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