Plan

Excellence in software development is really about excellence in change management. Sure, some simple upgrades (like adding a field for a second email address) are not complicated and can be completed in moments. They don't require much preparation. But in general, good plans facilitate great success.

Without getting too bogged down in the details, the plan should:

• State in one sentence, what are we aiming to achieve
• Detail in point form, what items / functions this software will deliver
• Commit to a date (or measure) by which time each must be delivered
• Identify who is responsible for each of the items
• Clarify any extra resources that might be required / available
• Note any important risks or cautions to be alert to
• And so on - match the level of detail in the plan to the project size and risk