Why project planning must precede analysis and design

Project Planning

Why does project planning usually come before analysis and design?

Only with proper planning can the project's budget be determined, which will critically impact the methods of analysis used over the course of the project, as well as the overall design of the proposed project. The goal of the project must be included in the plan, so that all steps of the project can lead to this goal. The stated end goal will also, obviously affect the overall design specifics of the project.

The cost of the project is not merely encompassed by the materials used to complete the project, but also the time and expertise needed to complete the work. The necessary organizational staff must be assembled, whose knowledge is needed to complete the project. Their schedules and availability will determine the length of the project, which may add to the cost. The final design may need to be modified, if the cost is over budget, exceeds the allotted timetable, or if needed staff members are unavailable. Ideally, this modification should take place in the planning phase of development, before real revenue is spent.

During the analysis phase, the project's final outcome is usually tested, to see if it meets the original goal. This is also a potentially costly phase, as certain problems may need to be worked out that take longer to solve than originally allotted. Extra time must be planned for, particularly during this phase, to ensure that the project's completion data is not affected.