Topic 3 - Project Management
Planning
Topic 3 - Project Management
Planning
Joan Mitchell
Joan Mitchell
Duing the last two weeks, we have focused on your mental preparation for entrepreneurship because the foundation of your project will be belief in your own abilities, ingenuity, and an understanding of the root of the problem and why you want to solve it.
During the last two weeks, we have focused on your mental preparation for entrepreneurship because the foundation of your project will be belief in your own abilities, ingenuity, and an understanding of the root of the problem and why you want to solve it.
And now that you have the foundation, we're going to focus on the technical tools for the next two weeks. You will learn.
plan steps and resources
risk assessment
set deadlines
calculate the budget
And now that you have the foundation, we're going to focus on the technical tools for the next two weeks. You will learn.
risk assessment
set deadlines
calculate the budget
plan steps and resources
Before starting the exercises, download this work file.
You can print it and fill it out while reading the reading material.
And if there is no option to print, just write what is written in the work file on a piece of paper.
And if there is no option to print, just write what is written in the work file on a piece of paper.
Before starting the exercises, download this work file.
You can print it and fill it out while reading the reading material.
And if there is no option to print, just write what is written in the work file on a piece of paper.
And if there is no option to print, just write what is written in the work file on a piece of paper.
Now you understand the problem and the optimal solution to start with. It may not be a global solution, and that's okay. Remember that you start small, experiment, then increase it.
Now you understand the problem and the optimal solution to start with. It may not be a global solution, and that's okay. Remember that you start small, experiment, then increase it.
How to implement this solution? Basically, what needs to be done?
Let's look for ideas.
Let's look for ideas.
How to implement this solution?
Basically, what needs to be done?
Let's look for ideas.
Basically, what needs to be done?
Let's look for ideas.
Exercise 1
Research who has done this and take notes.
- look it up on google
- find YouTube videos
- ask in Facebook groups and Telegram chats
- ask your friends and their friends
Exercise 1
Research who has done this and take notes.
- look it up on google
- find YouTube videos
- ask in Facebook groups and Telegram chats
- ask your friends and their friends
For example: Let's say you want to organize a clean-up on Sevan beach.
For example: Let's say you want to organize a clean-up on Sevan beach.
You must research and find ideas and write down all the ideas you like.
These ideas will work like Lego pieces when you start building your project description
These ideas will work like Lego pieces when you start building your project description
You must research and find ideas and write down all the ideas you like.
These ideas will work like Lego pieces when you start building your project description
These ideas will work like Lego pieces when you start building your project description
You want to do it in the most optimal way, so try to research
- the best cleanup
- beach cleanup Australia
- beach cleanup India
- beach cleanup California
- a technical solution to cleanup
- innovative cleanup
- prize for cleanup
- how to make cleanup fun
- party and cleanup
You want to do it in the most optimal way, so try to research
- the best cleanup
- beach cleanup Australia
- beach cleanup India
- beach cleanup California
- technical solution to cleanup
- innovative cleanup
- prize for cleanup
- how to make cleanup fun
- party and cleanup
Now you have to really think broadly and be creative.
You write down all the ideas you like.
You write down all the ideas you like.
Now you have to really think broadly and be creative.
You write down all the ideas you like.
You write down all the ideas you like.
Remember two things:
- notice the cognitive distortion and stop your inner critic.
Remember two things:
- notice the cognitive distortion and stop your inner critic.
Okay, so what does this mean? We will explain.
Okay, so what does this mean? We will explain.
Cognitive distortion
Smokers in the 1960s, when medical research on the harms of smoking was less clear, were more likely to be interested in reading an article titled "Smoking does not cause lung cancer" rather than "Smoking causes lung cancer."
When we want something to be right, we pay attention only to those things that correspond to our desire. And then, when we draw conclusions from them, we congratulate ourselves on a well-reasoned decision.
This phenomenon is called cognitive distortion or bias.
This phenomenon is called cognitive distortion or bias.
Cognitive distortion
Smokers in the 1960s, when medical research on the harms of smoking was less clear, were more likely to be interested in reading an article titled "Smoking does not cause lung cancer" rather than "Smoking causes lung cancer."
When we want something to be right, we pay attention only to those things that correspond to our desire. And then, when we draw conclusions from them, we congratulate ourselves on a well-reasoned decision.
This phenomenon is called cognitive distortion or bias.
This phenomenon is called cognitive distortion or bias.
Remember this and look not for what you already believe but for confirmation of other points of view and different opinions.
Remember this and look not for what you already believe but for confirmation of other points of view and different opinions.
Stop your inner critic
These thoughts prevent you from searching for an idea.
You'll need that inner critic later, when you've assessed risk and really planned every step of your project.
But now, when you're looking for ideas, you have to be open-minded.
You'll need that inner critic later, when you've assessed risk and really planned every step of your project.
But now, when you're looking for ideas, you have to be open-minded.
Stop your inner critic
These thoughts prevent you from searching for an idea.
You'll need that inner critic later, when you've assessed risk and really planned every step of your project.
But now, when you're looking for ideas, you have to be open-minded.
You'll need that inner critic later, when you've assessed risk and really planned every step of your project.
But now, when you're looking for ideas, you have to be open-minded.
Exercise 2
Build a "lego" from your notes. Look at the ideas you wrote down, choose the ones that work, and put them together in a few sentences to describe your project in simple terms.
Exercise 2
Build a "lego" from your notes. Look at the ideas you wrote down, choose the ones that work, and put them together in a few sentences to describe your project in simple terms.
For example, I want Sevan to be clean, for that I will organize beach cleaning with the help of crows. I will train the crows to carry trash from the beach to the trash can. I will put GPS sensors on these crows and be able to monitor where they are. I will put this information on the platform and make my project digital. I will sell my digital crow platform to local governments to help them organize a crow-assisted clean-up every night.
For example, I want Sevan to be clean, for that I will organize beach cleaning with the help of crows. I will train the crows to carry trash from the beach to the trash can. I will put GPS sensors on these crows and be able to monitor where they are. I will put this information on the platform and make my project digital. I will sell my digital crow platform to local governments to help them organize a crow-assisted clean-up every night.
Exercise 3
Search for competitors or partners. Who does that (similar project) now?
Do your research and find the answer to that question. If there is a similar project in Armenia or in the world, follow their social media pages.
Do your research and find the answer to that question. If there is a similar project in Armenia or in the world, follow their social media pages.
It will help you to look back on their journey, see how they have developed and look for new ideas.
- look it up on google
- find YouTube videos
- ask in Facebook groups and Telegram chats
- ask your friends and their friends
- ask at local universities
Exercise 3
Search for competitors or partners. Who does that (similar project) now?
Do your research and find the answer to that question. If there is a similar project in Armenia or in the world, follow their social media pages.
Do your research and find the answer to that question. If there is a similar project in Armenia or in the world, follow their social media pages.
- look it up on google
- find YouTube videos
- ask in Facebook groups and Telegram chats
- ask your friends and their friends
- ask at local universities
It will help you to look back on their journey, see how they have developed and look for new ideas.
Planning steps and resources
Planning steps and resources
Now that you understand what you need to do for your project try writing a long list of all the possible tasks you'll need to complete the project. We will use the inverse planning technique.
Now that you understand what you need to do for your project try writing a long list of all the possible tasks you'll need to complete the project. We will use the inverse planning technique.
How to implement reverse planning?
Write down the final result you want to achieve, and imagine how you will feel when you achieve it. And then plot backward from that result to today.
Write down the final result you want to achieve, and imagine how you will feel when you achieve it. And then plot backward from that result to today.
How to implement reverse planning?
Write down the final result you want to achieve, and imagine how you will feel when you achieve it. And then plot backward from that result to today.
Write down the final result you want to achieve, and imagine how you will feel when you achieve it. And then plot backward from that result to today.
Interesting fact:
We learned this technique from Ruben Vardanyan.
Ruben helped us build Climate Uturn a lot, and supported us.
We learned this technique from Ruben Vardanyan.
Ruben helped us build Climate Uturn a lot, and supported us.
And we really think he's a legend. And everyone is lucky to live with him in the same era and learn from him.
Interesting fact:
We learned this technique from Ruben Vardanyan.
Ruben helped us build Climate Uturn a lot, and supported us.
We learned this technique from Ruben Vardanyan.
Ruben helped us build Climate Uturn a lot, and supported us.
And we really think he's a legend. And everyone is lucky to live with him in the same era and learn from him.
Exercise 4
Put down in your workbook the end result you want to achieve.
- How will you know you've succeeded? (remember, we discussed this in the previous reading)
- The output should be very detailed and specific.
Առաջադրանք 4
Put down in your workbook the end result you want to achieve.
- How will you know you've succeeded? (remember, we discussed this in the previous reading)
- The output should be very detailed and specific.
For example: In 6 months I have a website where anyone can apply and hire trained crows to do cleanups.
My first client is the governor of Gegharkunik.
My first client is the governor of Gegharkunik.
For example: In 6 months I have a website where anyone can apply and hire trained crows to do cleanups.
My first client is the governor of Gegharkunik.
My first client is the governor of Gegharkunik.
Now let's step back from it.
If your first client is the governor of Gegharkunik, it means that you had meetings with him, he confirmed, signed documents, and paid you.
It turns out that your steps will be
- arrange a meeting with the governor of Gegharkunik
- negotiate with him to rent these crows
- open a personal account
- sign documents
- bill out and receive the payment
Now let's step back from it.
If your first client is the governor of Gegharkunik, it means that you had meetings with him, he confirmed, signed documents, and paid you.
It turns out that your steps will be
- arrange a meeting with the governor of Gegharkunik
- negotiate with him to rent these crows
- open a personal account
- sign documents
- bill out and receive the payment
How did the governor find out about you? It can be mutual friends or social media.
So your steps will be:
So your steps will be:
- open a page on a social network,
- create posts/posts with fun/interesting content regularly.
How did the governor find out about you? It can be mutual friends or social media.
So your steps will be:
So your steps will be:
- open a page on a social network,
- create posts/posts with fun/interesting content regularly.
If you make funny posts about crows, you must own a crow and train it first.
So your steps will be:
So your steps will be:
- get crows
- find someone to train them
- find a place for them to live
- buy them food and water
- hire someone to give them food and water
- make a website
- write a description
- perform test cleanings.
If you make funny posts about crows, you must own a crow and train it first.
So your steps will be:
So your steps will be:
- get crows
- find someone to train them
- find a place for them to live
- buy them food and water
- hire someone to give them food and water
- make a website
- write a description
- perform test cleanings.
Exercise 5
Now rank these tasks one by one and decide who will do them. You? me? or can you find help?
example
Task 5
Now rank these tasks one by one and decide who will do them. You? me? or can you find help?
example
Good Job! You will discuss this in the next meeting with the trainer and add more details.
Good Job! You will discuss this in the next meeting with the trainer and add more details.