There is a great tool helping to split large, and long-term projects to smaller pieces. Tool is called multigeneration project plan – MGPP. Long term planning example and template is included. You simply cut big “elephant” on smaller, managable pieces.

this article covers:

• How to recognize long term plan?
• How MGPP works
• Long term plan template
• JFK moon landing MGPP example
• MGPP template download

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How to recognize long term plan?

To keep yourself and project team pocussed, It Is better to divide long term projects to smaller pieces.

Ask yourself following questions, to recognize if project you are in is too large:

Is planned activity extensive? Is planned to be longer than 5 to 6 months? Is influenced by more than 5 different departments?

If answer is yes on any of these question, I will suggest project division to smaller portions. There are several reasons for that:

• Focus on achievable targets in shorter time.
• Accomplishments will encourage team to next actions.
• Results will be more obvious for stakeholders.
• Team can take a rest between generations for a while without guilt feelings.
• There is much more space to control and sustain changes.
• Different team members can be part of different generations.
• Ideas from one generation can be moved to following one.
• You can launch other project in parallel if you find space for it.

How to define project scope? read here

How MGPP works

When I was younger, I had to spade vineyard. The vineyard end was infinitely far away. Grandpa gave me an advice. Set your target to the nearest column, and do not look to the end. And it worked. I was focusing to reach that column, rewarded myself with something sweet when reaching it. and continued spading.

Like in this example, find closest possible goal, address it, and move on to next goal.

If you decided to split project, make sure it makes sense. Keep in mind, that ultimate project goal of whole initiative must be covered. Keep it in front of your eyes.

Would you like to use Project charter? – this is how (+template)

Download DMAIC tools list, I suggest allways to follow. I have developed and verified this list by many projects. It suits to any improvement initiative, to any department: production, warehouse, logistics, planning, finances, supply chain, engineering, maintenance….

Long term plan template

This is how MGPP template can look like. There are several sections to be filled in:

In scope, or your vision of what should be covered in each generation.

Time boundaries are estimated generations duration.

Define functions to be reached in Properties to be reached row. Like to finish some analysis, required data revisions. you can define parameters of process or products to be finished in the generation.

Support required row serves for definition of supporting departments, suppliers, or supplies to be helpful in generation accomplishment.

And last is owner definition. Name person, departments, or teams responsible for generation accomplishment.

DMAIC tools list – download list of tools for your project here

There are 3 generations showed in this table, but it is up to you how many gens your project will need. It can be 2 or 8.

erik from six sigma mania

JFK Moon landing MGPP example

This long term plan example describes 10 years president Kennedys plan to land the moon. Plan was presented in the year of 1960.

Generation 1, Project Mercury, and its goals.

Gen 2, Project Gemini,

Gen 3, very well known, Project appolo with flight, and land on moon.

Impresive, isn´t it?

MGPP template download

You can download MGPP template on the ling below, It contains JFK long term plan on top it.

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Do not hesitate to post your comments, questions, or themes you are interested in.

Yours sincerely Erik