The planning phase establishes an initial view of the intended software product that helps establish the basic project structure, feasibility, risks associated with the project, and describe management and technical methodologies.

This phase is where you will utilize the various tools to provide detailed planning over the life of the project to achieve the following objectives:

		Initially, before any detailed planning commences, the Program Management Office (PMO) must verify that mechanisms (such as accounting and procurement data) are in place to provide the data you will need to accurately collect and display data in the project
		Establish and document a project organization chart defining the names of the project managers, sponsors, stakeholders, business analysts, testers, and affiliated organizations, so everyone clearly understands who the players are on the project
		Define the roles and responsibilities of these individuals so it is clear as to everyone's role. Once those roles are defined, create a required approvals matrix of the key project activities
		Fill in development and project estimating worksheets to determine costs. Review those costs to calculate and verify how much of those monies will be expended in capital or expense, as determined by regulatory taxing agency requirements and internal policies
		Establish a configuration management plan to manage the project baseline
		If necessary, prepare a procurement plan for any software, hardware or outside services that will be required in the project
		Prepare a statement of work defining the business objectives
		Prepare work breakdown structure (WBS) components in 3 steps: 1. Provide a WBS activity worksheet to Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)so that they may initially define the scope of work required for each activity and task in the project 2. Prepare a WBS resource planning template for WBS tasks containing the tasks broken down by estimated hours and % of time required by each skill set. When complete, determination can accurately be made of the total number of hours required of each skill set 3. Prepare a Work Breakdown Structure delineating the tasks
		Prepare a risk analysis plan defining the process for identifying and resolving risks. Prepare a risk information data collection form so that once risks are identified each risk can subsequently be quantified, analyzed and resolved
		Prepare a project plan to establish project control by defining the sequence, estimated schedule and responsibilities for implementing each task