Successful project managers have one thing in common, and that is they use Document Templates to aid the creation of their project documentation.
Project initiation and planning can be an intensive and stressful process, and the last thing a project manager wants to deal with is the creation of a new document from scratch. It is so easy to pull a document template from the library of templates and dive directly into the document details.
There are many benefits to using a library of standard project templates. Here are just a few:
- Saves time and effort by providing a standardized document structure
- Templates streamline the document creation process
- Reduces errors
- Assists planning by providing a structured framework
- Templates can be easily customized to meet specific project needs
- Provides a professional look and feel to the project documents
The most visible benefit of course is the visual consistency between the documents.
A good basic library of templates will include a Charter, Statement of Work, Project Plan, Communication Plan, Risk Management Plan, and Change Management Plan together with the associated checklists, forms, and reports.
A complete library may have more than several dozen templates depending on the organization or PMO that creates and maintains the library.