Why You Should Use Project Spreadsheet Template Excel
Have you ever used project spreadsheet template Excel? A project plan can help you manage your projects more easily. It can even be as simple as a project spreadsheet template on Excel. Here’s why and how you can create a project plan using this software.
What Is a Project Plan?
A project plan is a plan on how a project is going to be carried out and managed. It must be approved by everyone involved in the project. Generally, a project plan must answer the following questions:
- What: What are the deliverables of the project?
- How: How is the project going to be executed?
- Who: Who are involved in the project and what are their responsibilities?
- When: When will the project begin? When is the targeted completion date?
- What: What are the major deliverables of the project?
Benefits of a Project Plan
There are many benefits that you will get from using a project plan. Here are some of them.
- You can use it for both professional projects and personal activities
- It can be customized according to your needs
- It can be shared with your team easily
Before Creating a Project Spreadsheet
While you can benefit from a project plan, here are two things that you need to consider before creating one.
Firstly, think about how team members can update the files. Will you allow synchronized access? Will you email all members separately? Secondly, if the spreadsheet is updated, how to make sure that all members know that it has been changed?
You need to think of a channel to manage your spreadsheet which everyone can access. Not only that, you must keep in mind that spreadsheets are for planning, not communication. Find a way to inform team members on updates in project activities.
Creating a Project Plan on Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel is a handy tool that you can use to create project management tools for small- to medium-sized projects. With this softwares, project managers can plan each task using spreadsheets. This helps a team visualize and plan their project as well as keep track of progress.
A lot of businesses already rely on spreadsheets to track income, expenditures, and budgeting. You can also use it to manage your projects. Excel’s spreadsheets have columns that you can use to list projects, their goals, and the start and completion dates.
Why must you use Excel to manage your projects? Here are some benefits that you will get.
- Data organization
Even if you aren’t familiar with data manipulation or tech-savvy at all, Excel has simple tools that allow you to sort and search for relevant data more easily. This feature helps you manage your projects more effectively and efficiently.
- Analytical tools
Excel enables you to analyze and organize large amounts of data. Not only that, you can also create graphs, charts, and tables to help you visualize the data better.
- Easy management
Using Excel you can create charts, diagrams, and timelines for your project. You can organize your projects and have a clear view of what to be completed. This way, you can monitor your project’s progress easily.
- Simple templates
Project spreadsheets don’t have to be complicated. You can use a project spreadsheet template Excel as a clear and direct way to collect data, identify your course of action, and plan and monitor your progress in real time.
There are many sites where you can download project spreadsheet templates. Microsoft Office even has a simple project spreadsheet template Excel in their official website. Find the template that suits you the most and stick to it, and good luck with your project!