In project management, as in life, preparation is half the battle. When it is time to organize and document a complex project, you may need many different reports, forms, plans, and other resources. We have compiled a variety of useful Word templates for project management that can help you get started.
1. Project Overview
TidyForms has an excellent project template with a hefty amount of details in a nine-page document. Complete with a cover page, table of contents, document control, a template guide, and tons of information in between, this is an all-inclusive template.
It is outline-structured, includes clear tables for data, and has a spot to insert your project plan from another application, such as Microsoft Project.
2. Scope Statement
TidyForms also has a short and sweet project scope template. This document is in a paragraph form, which is good for when a lot of explanatory details are needed.
Beginning with the project purpose and moving onto stakeholders, time frames, approach, inclusions, and finishing with sign-offs and document control, it comprises 15 useful sections on just two pages.
3. Communications Plan
Project Management Docs is another terrific resource for templates and documents. Their templates come with helpful information for those new to the field.
They have a 14-page communications plan, that can of course be shortened if needed, but covers anything you might need for that plan.
4. Project Management Plan
For an all-encompassing project management plan that includes all sub-plans, Project Management Docs has you covered.
This 18-page document includes everything from the project scope and milestone list to the change management and risk management plans. Resource, cost, quality, and sponsor sections are also included.
5. Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
For a work breakdown structure template, both TidyForms and Project Management Docs have good options.
WBS in Text Format
The one from TidyForms is a text based structure with helpful instructions at the beginning, a table of contents, version control, and tabled element definitions.
WBS in Varying Views
The template from Project Management Docs is a bit more extensive by providing four different views.
It has outline, hierarchical structure, tabular, and tree structure views, which makes this template more flexible than the one from TidyForms. It also has a Web dictionary and glossary of terms.
6. Change Request
Change Request With Cost Effects
If your company does not require a specific change request form, this one has the information you need. With a clean table format, it not only includes the change detail spots for description and reason, but also cost effects, rejection reason, and approvals with signature lines.
Change Request With Alternatives
If cost effects are not part of your purview on the project, but alternatives and implications to quality are, then this template might be a better choice for you.
Specific to Word 2016
If you are using Word 2016, you already have access to many useful and well-formatted templates for project management. Simply go to File and then select New to open the template section. If you type in the word Project, you will yield the most results. While this may give you more than you need, if you narrow it down using the phrase Project Management, some templates will not appear.
Scope Report and Change Authorization
One pair of templates that go well together includes a project scope report and project change authorization. Not only does the look and feel match, but often times the project scope is changed and an authorization to do so is necessary. Each form has a handy drop-down to add the date, tables for signatures and authorizations, field hints, and easy click-to-type sections.
Status Reports
Word 2016 has a few good project status reports that are formatted a little differently. It really depends on your needs and preference for which of the three you prefer. But, each is useful and accomplishes the goal.
With a Casual Look
The first one lays out issues, milestones, and summaries nicely with a convenient drop-down at the top for the overall project status along with a legend. This one has a more casual look to it.
With a Table Format
If you need a status report with a specific budget section and a clear table structure, then this is your report. It also has a drop-down for the date and a sophisticated, one-page layout.
With Budget, Risks, and Issues
The last status report is clean and precise. It includes a good summary section, budget overview, and risks and issues.
More Template Options
Depending on your industry or type of project, Word 2016 offers wonderful templates that you will find useful. A project communications plan, employee weekly status report per project, service invoice, and meeting minutes are all available options as well.
Template Resources
Out of the various Microsoft applications that we use for project management such as OneNote, Outlook, and Excel, Word seems to have the most template resources available on the Web. Here is a list of those we have mentioned, with a few others that you can check out if you are looking for a specific template.
- TidyForms for proposals, planning, charters, and initiation
- Project Management Docs for planning, initiation, execution, and closure
- Vertex42 for invoices, calendars, meeting minutes, and agendas
- University of Wisconsin – Madison for plans and reports
- Microsoft Office templates site for project task lists, calendars, and agenda
What Are Your Favorite Word Templates for Project Management?
Project managers have many options when it comes to documents, forms, and templates for Word. Whether you have a site you visit, use built-in templates, or create your own, what are your favorites?
If you have suggestions or recommendations of your own, we would love to hear from you! So, feel free to share your thoughts below!
Image Credits:closeup view of a paper document by lucadp via Shutterstock
