Definition of Planning Objects
Information
- Below, you will find an explanation of what a planning object is and which planning object types are available in PLANTA project and PLANTA portfolio.
In PLANTA, a planning object is an umbrella term for different planning states or planning types of a project. In PLANTA project there are four types of planning objects: idea, proposal, project, and program.
Planning Objects
- An idea is a basic project proposition.
- It is the first step in the creation of a project. See also the "Idea and Proposal Management" section.
- The term proposal describes a somewhat more elaborated idea which is very likely to be turned into a project. See also the "Idea and Proposal Management" section.
- The term project describes a proposal which has been approved and the implementation of which has already begun.
- At this point, a project will usually not be subject to further modification.
- A program is a packet of bundled projects.
- The projects contained in a program are strongly related in terms of their content or have common objectives. They must therefore be closely coordinated in planning and control.
Main and Subprojects
Information
- A project can be divided into subprojects in order to organize it more clearly (e.g. by region or subject). Subprojects are independent of one another.
- A project which consists of subprojects is called a main project.
- For each subproject there is a responsible subproject manager, for each project as a whole there is a main project manager.
Portfolios
Information
- A portfolio is subject to strategic planning and does not fall under the umbrella term planning object in the PLANTA software.
- All four planning object types (ideas, proposals, projects, programs) can be included in a portfolio.
- The portfolio serves to coordinate different planning objects in the most effective and lucrative way possible.
- Unlike in programs, the planning objects in a portfolio usually have few contact points.
Idea and Proposal Management
- Idea and proposal are preliminary stages of a project.
- PLANTA allows you to either plan your projects directly or to use a multi-level planning model which includes ideas and proposals. In a multi-level planning model, planning objects at lower planning levels (ideas or projects) can be converted into objects at higher planning levels (projects) during the course of planning.
- Our core product PLANTA project already allows you to create ideas and proposals, to manage them and to turn them into projects if desired. To use idea and proposal management in a reasonable way, the PLANTA portfolio component is required in addition to PLANTA project. Only PLANTA portfolio provides important evaluation and assessment options, e.g. with regard to corporate goals or risks.
- Since for ideas no in-depth planning is provided and they merely present suggestions, they can be created by any employee. Users can create new ideas by clicking on the New Idea link in the user menu.