Natural Project Planning: Part 1 - The "Why"
Your brain is a wildly efficient planning machine. It can take problems like, "I am hungry" and analyze hundreds of variables to quickly figure out the shortest route to that box of donuts in the break room.
The problem is that modern knowledge workers rarely plan projects the way the brain naturally wants to plan.
Think about it: when was the last time you sat in a meeting that started with the "Why" behind the meeting? It seems mind-numbingly obvious that we should start with the purpose and principles behind our goal, but we rarely do. I cannot personally attest to the last time I ever sat in a meeting that started with why we were doing what we were doing.
So... who has a good idea here?
The brain works best in context. It is, after all, a vast network of interconnected ideas. When asked to magically conjure a good idea out of the ether, barring additional context, it will usually respond akin to a deer in the headlights.
Step 1 when planning is to outline the purpose and principles behind your project.
You cannot repeat the purpose and principles behind your project too much.
Stating your purpose and principles solely at the start of the quarter is not sufficient.
Clarifying your project's purpose only on paper is not enough.
Everyone from your CEO to your individual contributors should know your project's "Why" by heart.
Tips for smoother projects:
Start every single meeting with a 30-second review of the purpose and principles.
Review all project requirements in the context of the purpose and principles. Get rid of anything that doesn't support the purpose and principles.
Once you understand the "Why" behind your project, it's quite easy to jump to the next step: envisioning the outcome.