20 Must Have Project Planning Templates & Documents

20 must-have project planning templates, categorized to cover various aspects of project management. These templates will help streamline your planning process, track progress, and ensure successful delivery.

Project Initiation Templates

1. Project Charter A document to define project objectives, stakeholders, and high-level requirements.
2. Stakeholder Register Tracks all stakeholders, their roles, and influence levels.
3. Business Case Template Justifies the project investment and outlines expected benefits.
4. Risk Assessment Template Identifies potential risks, their impact, and mitigation strategies.

Project Planning Templates

1. Project Plan Template A comprehensive plan covering scope, schedule, resources, and risks.
2. Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Breaks down project deliverables into smaller, manageable tasks.
3. Gantt Chart Template Visualizes project timelines and task dependencies.
4. Resource Allocation Template Assigns team members and other resources to specific tasks.
5. Budget Tracking Template Monitors project expenses against the planned budget.
6. Communication Plan Template Details how and when project communication will occur.

Project Execution Templates

1. Task Tracker Template Monitors task progress, status, and ownership.
2. Change Request Template Documents and evaluates proposed changes to project scope or deliverables.
3. Issue Log Template Tracks project issues, resolutions, and responsible parties.

Project Monitoring and Control Templates

1. Performance Dashboard Provides a real-time overview of project progress and key metrics.
2. Risk Management Log Monitors identified risks and updates mitigation measures.
3. Project Status Report Template Summarizes project progress, milestones, and upcoming activities.

Project Closure Templates

1. Lessons Learned Template Captures insights, successes, and areas for improvement.
2. Project Closure Checklist Ensures all tasks are complete, deliverables are accepted, and resources are released.
3. Post-Project Review Template Evaluates project success and aligns outcomes with initial objectives.
4. Project Archive Template Organizes project documents for future reference.

Download: Project Planning Templates & Documents