---
title: "Planning and features of good planning"
subject: "Project Engineering"
chapter: 3
key: "semester_7/project_engineering:planning-features-good-planning"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/planning-features-good-planning
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Planning and features of good planning

Project Engineering · Chapter 3: Project Planning and Scheduling

- Asked in: 2070 Chaitra, 4 marks
- Video: [The Importance of Planning in Project Management | TeamGantt](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoQxs-0CRxc) — TeamGantt
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/planning-features-good-planning
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/project_engineering/chapter-3

## Question

Define the term planning and explain the features of good project planning.

## Short answer

Planning is deciding in advance what, how, when, who, and resources to achieve objectives. Good planning is objective-oriented, forward-looking, systematic, realistic, flexible, clear, comprehensive, participative, measurable, and continuous.

## Answer

#### Planning

**Planning** is the process of deciding in advance what to do, how to do it, when to do it, who will do it and with what resources, so as to achieve the project objectives in the best possible way. It bridges the gap between where the project is now and where it wants to be.

#### Features of good project planning

1. **Objective-oriented** - every part of the plan serves the stated project objectives.
2. **Forward looking** - it deals with the future and forecasts conditions such as prices, weather and funds.
3. **Systematic and logical** - it follows a clear sequence from scope to WBS, schedule and budget.
4. **Realistic and practical** - durations, costs and resources are based on facts, past data and productivity norms.
5. **Flexible** - it can be revised when conditions change.
6. **Clear and simple** - it is easy for the whole project team to understand.
7. **Comprehensive and integrated** - it covers time, cost, quality, resources and risk together.
8. **Participative** - managers, engineers, contractors and users give inputs.
9. **Measurable** - it has milestones, targets and indicators so that progress can be checked.
10. **Continuous** - it is reviewed and updated throughout the project life.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Planning is:
   A. Deciding in advance what, how, when, who and with what resources
   B. Executing work
   C. Auditing
   D. Only estimating
   Answer: A. It bridges the gap between now and the goal. (Key point: Definition)

2. A realistic plan bases estimates on:
   A. Guesses
   B. Facts, past data and productivity norms
   C. Hopes
   D. Maximum values
   Answer: B. Realistic and practical plans use facts. (Key point: Realistic)

3. Flexible planning means:
   A. Can be revised when conditions change
   B. Never changes
   C. Has no targets
   D. Is secret
   Answer: A. It adapts to change. (Key point: Flexible)

4. Measurable means the plan has:
   A. Milestones, targets and indicators
   B. Long text
   C. Many pages
   D. No dates
   Answer: A. So progress can be checked. (Key point: Measurable)

## Related in Project Engineering

- [Contents of a good project proposal](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aproposal-contents-components) — Project Engineering, chapter 2, asked 3×
- [Classify project; characteristics; good environment](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aclassify-project-importance-environment) — Project Engineering, chapter 1
- [Project planning and its importance](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aplanning-concept-importance) — Project Engineering, chapter 3, asked 3×
- [Short note: Planning software, MS Project](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aplanning-software-ms-project-note) — Project Engineering, chapter 3, asked 2×
- [Importance of WBS for project planning](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Awbs-importance-in-planning) — Project Engineering, chapter 3
- [Project finance; sound capital structure; factors](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aproject-finance-features-sound-capital-structure) — Project Engineering, chapter 6, asked 2×

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- [300 MW reservoir project: planning to commissioning](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fhydropower_engineering%3Areservoir-300mw-planning-to-commissioning) — Hydropower Engineering, chapter 2
- [Project planning matrix (PPM)](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aproject-planning-matrix) — ICT Project Management, chapter 7
- [Sabine's formula and good acoustics](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_1%2Fengineering_physics%3Asabine-formula-acoustic-hall) — Engineering Physics, chapter 3, asked 5×