No better way to start than with a clear plan in mind.
I like to spend a bit of time planning my projects before I get started. I did it for all of the personality tests and online strengths aptitude tests I’ve made here. This usually involves figuring out the purpose, audience, and problem(s) solved. I’ve had a decent “general idea of what to do” for each project – and I’ve got the scratch paper to prove it!
But, this “project planning” task seemed like something that needed a standard approach. You know, a couple of blanks to fill in, a few questions to ask, and the same look for each.
I put together a 1-page “Project Purpose Template” in the “Tools” section of the website. I thought you might find it useful. Let me go through some of what it covers to give you a better idea.
The Project Purpose Template asks the following questions:
- What is the main purpose of this project?
- What do you want to accomplish?
- How is this project different from others?
- What is the project’s target audience?
It also provides a table for recording some ‘features,’ of your project (special things or qualities your project has). These features should be transformed into benefits – what the audience would get out of it (their POV). Then, turn those benefits into problems solved – these are what really matter. People want problems solved.
I suggest printing out 10 or so of these sheets and keep them in your idea book or projects file. Don’t have one? Now is a good time to grab a manila folder, write “Projects” on it, and start.
Grab the Projects Purpose Template and start your next project out on the right path. Having a clear view of the problem is a problem half solved.