3.

2 Planning the Project

Planning for project implementation starts during the early stages of the project cycle’s project
preparation and appraisal. However, planning during the stages prior to project approval is
generally broad and tentative, and the project manager will prepare more detailed and updated
plans as soon as the project has been approved and as more specific information becomes
available. Specific measures will have to be prescribed for implementation, and changes may
have to be made in work schedules, assignments of responsibility for inputs, cost estimates,
staffing, and other project elements.

● ● ●
Inadequate planning is one
of the main reasons
that projects fail

● ● ●

Detailed planning is a key to the successful implementation of a project. Based on project goals
and objectives, detailed planning covers strategies and work plans, project organization and
staffing, schedules and budgets, management control systems, financial plans, evaluation
methods, work authorization procedures, and interfacing and coordination of activities. The
project manager involved in detailed planning may have to work closely with ADB and, if
required, will obtain the services of consultants. Errors in detailed planning can have extremely
unfavorable effects on project costs, implementation schedules, and technical performance.

Asian Development Bank

e-Handbook on Project Implementation
Section 3.2