Project Planning Using the Action Method Book

If you’re planning a project and aren’t sure where to start. This is my usual method:

How I plan projects

1. What is the project
2. Why / the goal
3. Brain dumping
4. Mind mapping
5. Various options and narrow down to one
6. Breakdown of the steps involved
7. Timeline / deadlines & due dates
8. Finish date

The above method is typical of just about any project I do. I’ve used the process for planning a trip, creating ecourses, reorganizing my office etc.

There are various online tools, apps etc. you could use but I prefer pen and paper. Everything is there in front of you in the one place. Some of the online tools e.g. mind maps take forever to load, you need a login etc. I can’t be bothered with all that, it’s much easier (and I find it’s quicker) to just write it on paper.

Some of the ways I’ve planned projects in the past

• Blank sheet of paper (usually for mind maps)
• Color codded Sticky notes stuck to a blank sheet of paper (good for organizing tasks into a timeline)
• Mi goals
• Checklists
• ARC discbound notebook with printables (so you can add, remove and rearrange pages as often as you like)
• Project planning printables

I don’t recommend loose sheets of paper. Things get lost and out of order. If it’s messy I won’t look at it again. There’s something about writing in an actual notebook that makes me want to write neater. If you want the ability to add, remove and rearrange pages, I recommend using a discbound notebook.

Related: Guide to Discbound Planners & Frequently Asked Questions

After trying various methods the best method for me is almost always back to basics: lined or dot grid paper and a to do list.

The Action Method Book

… Which is where the Action Method Book comes in. I found this book and thought it ticked off most of my requirements so trialled it for mapping out my travel planning spreadsheets. I then used it to breakdown the steps involved in adding them to my shop when I eventually decided to make them available for others to purchase them.

The Action Method book has dot grid page on the left and then half dot grid and half list space on the right. I do wish the steps section was smaller for each step, or that there was space for more steps. The notebook would also be even better if it had different colors to code instead of just the one color throughout.

This was a very simple project. For an ecourse or something bigger (like planning a holiday) there’s a lot more involved but figured I’d share a simple project planning method:

Are different colors necessary? No… but it looks good! My preferred pens for project planning are the Frixion erasable pens

Would I use the Action Method Notebook Again?

I do like this notebook and would probably use it again. It’d be even better if the list sidebar had more space for tasks.

Planning tips

• How to make your own custom Erin Condren (or any planner) header title section planner stickers (step by step video tutorial)   
• World’s Biggest Ultimate Planner Roundup (Most Comprehensive List of 300 + Daily and Weekly Planners) 
• 10 ways to save money when buying planner supplies

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