Session 02: Planning the Project

Hi there! Hello and welcome to this session of the “Elements” project where I am creating a comprehensive list of elements for the Copperwealth saga including the plot points. The previous session was dedicated to exploring the project needs. In this session, the project dossier will be generated as well as official project parameters including the goal, objectives, and task list.

Let’s begin!

Defining the Project Goal

I’ve hinted around this a couple times up to this point. The goal is to create the story elements for Copperwealth including an interactive outline of plot points.

I think that sums it up.

Listing Out the Objectives

I still don’t have a template of objectives yet. What I’ll do for now is pull in the company objectives, mission statements, etc. for Cryptiquest as well as project and product scope (as determined in the previous session) to tease out objectives.

Scope or Statement	Objective?
Format: Interactive outline Breadth: The outline itself is composed of bullets but the elements and notes may be as drawn out as needed. Usability: The final outline will be filterable by element.	The product is an interactive outline which is filterable and composed of bullets (though each element and note may be expanded if needed).
Repository: Displayed on Copperwealth website	The product is displayed on the Copperwealth website
Subject Matter Expert: Subject matter experts will be sought out as needed.	Topics of uncertainty were identified and addressed by way of deliberate recruitment of subject matter experts.
Target Audience: Morally mature audience who has leftist leanings.	This in itself is not an objective but may guide other objectives.
Time: There is neither a deadline nor an hour cap.	This can be skipped.
Costs: There are no direct costs and the indirect costs, which consist of the webhosting costs for the cryptiquest websites, are nominal.	This can be skipped.
Resources: There are no materials and aside from the company, the people impacted by this project are the eventual audience, those who will review, edit, and directly support the evolution of the story; and, those who “cheerlead” the project due to familial or similar relationship.	Stakeholders were identified and were part of a feedback process before release.
Objective 1.A Our projects follow our project management standards.	The project followed Cryptiquest project management standards.
Objective 1.B Our products use our crafting tools (as they are available).	The project utilized Cryptiquest crafting tools (that were available).
Objective 1.C Our products follow draft and version protocols.	The project followed Cryptiquest draft and version protocols.
Objective 1.D Our products follow branding and legal guidelines.	These have not yet been defined and doing so is outside the scope of this project.
Objective 2.A User expectation regarding the suite of tools working seamlessly together is met.	The product is not a suite of tools and does not apply.
Objective 2.B User expectation regarding process guidance (from concept-to-launch) for each tool is met.	The product is not a tool and does not apply.
Objective 2.C User expectation regarding sharing and collaboration content for each tool is met.	The product is not a tool and does not apply.
Objective 2.D User expectation regarding ease of use for each tool is met.	The product is not a tool and does not apply.
Objective 2.E User expectation regarding game engine format is met.	The product is not a game engine and does not apply.
Objective 2.F User expectation regarding game engine integration is met.	The product is not a game engine and does not apply.
Objective 3.A Media reviews report positive on inclusivity.	The outline of elements reports positive on inclusivity.
Objective 3.B Media reviews report positive on uniqueness.	The outline of elements reports positive on uniqueness.
Objective 3.C Media reviews report positive on consistency.	The outline of elements reports positive on consistency and continuity.
Objective 3.D Media reviews report positive on entertainment.	The outline reports positive in entertainment.
Objective 3.E Media reviews report positive on quality.	The outline reports positive in quality.
Objective 3.F Media reviews report positive on concision.	Skip this? The outline, while brief by default, is not the place to be pointedly concise.

Here are the objectives from the above table. Text elements that have the strikeout effect have been determined not to be critical to the success of the project.

• The product is an interactive outline which is filterable and composed of bullets (though each element and note may be expanded if needed).
• The product is displayed on the Copperwealth website.
• Topics of uncertainty were identified and addressed by way of deliberate recruitment of subject matter experts.
• Stakeholders were identified and were part of a feedback process before release.
• The project followed Cryptiquest project management standards.
• The project utilized Cryptiquest crafting tools (that were available).
• The project followed Cryptiquest draft and version protocols.
• The outline of elements reports “positive” on inclusivity.
• The outline of elements reports “positive” on uniqueness.
• The outline of elements reports “positive” on consistency and continuity.
• The outline reports “positive” in entertainment.
• The outline reports “positive” in quality.

That list is the foundation for judging whether this project will be successful or not. From this list (and any scope items that are not in the list) I need to formulate how this will all come together.

The Plan

By default, I have this set of phases for projects:

1. Explore Vision
2. Plan Project
3. Plan Product
4. Produce Product
5. Review Product Content
6. Test Product
7. Launch Product
8. Close Project

These each have their own templated steps but before I get to that I think this should be enough to focus where the objectives and scope items will be handled.

1. The product is an interactive outline.
   • This will be baked into the product planning of Phase 3, with check-ins in Phases 4 through 6.
2. Topics of uncertainty were identified and addressed by way of deliberate recruitment of subject matter experts.
   • These topics are referring to subjects that pop up when writing the story elements. For example, if a character is part of a community that I’m unfamiliar with, that topic should probably be written by or consulted with an expert from that community.
   • This will come up in Phase 4 but should be specifically checked in Phases 5 and 6.
   • A protocol for how to handle this will be created as part of Phase 3.
3. Stakeholders were identified and were part of a feedback process before release.
   • Identification should happen at every phase of the project as this may be an ever-shifting list.
   • A protocol for how to handle this should be created as part of Phase 2.
4. The project followed Cryptiquest project management standards.
   • A review step should be included as the first step of every phase with a checkup at the end of every phase to be sure.
5. The project utilized Cryptiquest crafting tools (that were available).
   • I may remove this as there are no official crafting tools.
6. The project followed Cryptiquest draft and version protocols.
   • The protocol for this should be defined in Phase 2.
7. The outline of elements reports “positive” on inclusivity.
   • While this will be implemented in phases 5 and 6, the survey should be created in phase 3.
8. The outline of elements reports “positive” on uniqueness.
   • While this will be implemented in phases 5 and 6, the survey should be created in phase 3.
9. The outline of elements reports “positive” on consistency and continuity.
   • While this will be implemented in phases 5 and 6, the survey should be created in phase 3.
10. The outline reports “positive” in entertainment.
    • While this will be implemented in phases 5 and 6, the survey should be created in phase 3.
11. The outline reports “positive” in quality.
    • While this will be implemented in phases 5 and 6, the survey should be created in phase 3.

I’ll now post the expanded default template for the task list and add the above items as prescribed:

1. EXPLORING YOUR VISION
   1. Project Needs Identified <M>
   2. Ideal Solution Fabricated <M>
   3. Target Audience Identified <M>
   4. Scope Identified <M>
2. PLANNING YOUR PROJECT
   1. Project Goal Identified <M>
   2. Objectives Identified <M>
   3. Tasks List Established <M>
   4. Project Dossier Created <M>
3. PLANNING YOUR PRODUCT
   1. Research Conducted <M>
   2. Tools Created
      1. Protocol: Identifying and Slating Topics of Uncertainty
      2. Survey: Media Objectives
   3. Objectives and Scope Revisited
   4. Outline Drafted <M>
   5. Presentation Format Determined <M>
4. PRODUCING YOUR PRODUCT
   1. First Draft Created <M>
   2. First Draft Reviewed Internally <M>
   3. Self-test Conducted <M>
   4. Self-survey Conducted
5. REVIEWING YOUR PRODUCT CONTENT
   1. Confidant Draft Created <M>
   2. Confidant Draft Reviewed <M>
   3. Confidant Survey Conducted
   4. Second Draft Created <M>
   5. Second Draft Reviewed <M>
   6. Second Draft Survey Conducted
6. TESTING YOUR PRODUCT
   1. Prototype Planned
   2. Prototype Created <M>
   3. Prototype Tested <M>
7. LAUNCHING YOUR PRODUCT
   1. Final Version Created <M>
   2. Communications Planned <M>
   3. Communications Prepared <M>
   4. Final Product Launched <M>
8. CLOSING YOUR PROJECT
   1. Retrospective Created <M>
   2. Loose Ends Tied <M>

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Okay. There seems to be a fundamental problem that needs worked out. The phase sequence doesn’t add up for both the writing of the content for the outline and the creation of the interactive tool.

Those are two different processes which would require their own projects.

Ultimately, the outline is the most important part. The tool used to display it is not only minor, it’s temporary and perhaps replaceable. I think this project’s scope should be consolidated to just focus on the outline. Any supporting tools for the project should then be created as their own separate project.

Having made this declaration, what needs to change moving forward?

Looking back at the “Project Needs” here is what can be modified:

1. Content must strive for representation while avoiding tokenism, stereotyping, and cultural appropriation.
2. Content must be unique and consistent to the world it creates.
3. Content must be entertaining, professional, and understandable.
4. Show the draft process using Cryptiquest tools (when applicable)
5. Need to plot out the story, including every chapter and character arc.
6. Characters will be identified as “inside” or “outside” the frame of the story (to determine how developed their arc needs to be).
7. The tool will store beats, elements, and notes in one place.
   1. Beats are plot points that serve the story, chapter, or character arcs.
   2. Elements are unique data points that may be either a character, setting, scientific fact, cultural component, artifact, or organization.
8. It will take a few steps to create, modify, or sort data within the tool.
9. The tool needs to be able to contain all the beats and elements for the story.

This also changes the Format and Usability of the Product Scope:

• Format: Interactive An outline
• Repository: Displayed on Copperwealth website
• Breadth: The outline itself is composed of bullets but the elements and notes may be as drawn out as needed.
• Subject Matter Expert: Subject matter experts will be sought out as needed.
• Target Audience: Morally mature audience who has leftist leanings.
• Usability: The final outline will be filterable by element. easy to navigate.

I think that makes sense. Now for the goal and objectives:

The goal is to create the story elements for Copperwealth including an interactive outline of plot points.

• The product is an interactive outline.
• Topics of uncertainty were identified and addressed by way of deliberate recruitment of subject matter experts.
• Stakeholders were identified and were part of a feedback process before release.
• The project followed Cryptiquest project management standards.
• The project followed Cryptiquest draft and version protocols.
• The outline of elements reports “positive” on inclusivity.
• The outline of elements reports “positive” on uniqueness.
• The outline of elements reports “positive” on consistency and continuity.
• The outline reports “positive” in entertainment.
• The outline reports “positive” in quality.

Which then is transposed for the task list as follows:

1. The product is an outline.
   • This will be baked into the product planning of Phase 3.
2. Topics of uncertainty were identified and addressed by way of deliberate recruitment of subject matter experts.
   • These topics are referring to subjects that pop up when writing the story elements. For example, if a character is part of a community that I’m unfamiliar with, that topic should probably be written by or consulted with an expert from that community.
   • This will come up in Phase 4 but should be specifically checked in Phases 5 and 6.
   • A protocol for how to handle this will be created as part of Phase 3.
3. Stakeholders were identified and were part of a feedback process before release.
   • Identification should happen at every phase of the project as this may be an ever-shifting list.
   • A protocol for how to handle this should be created as part of Phase 2.
4. The project followed Cryptiquest project management standards.
   • A review step should be included as the first step of every phase with a checkup at the end of every phase to be sure.
5. The project followed Cryptiquest draft and version protocols.
   • The protocol for this should be defined in Phase 2.
6. The outline of elements reports “positive” on inclusivity.
   • While this will be implemented in phases 5 and 6, the survey should be created in phase 3.
7. The outline of elements reports “positive” on uniqueness.
   • While this will be implemented in phases 5 and 6, the survey should be created in phase 3.
8. The outline of elements reports “positive” on consistency and continuity.
   • While this will be implemented in phases 5 and 6, the survey should be created in phase 3.
9. The outline reports “positive” in entertainment.
   • While this will be implemented in phases 5 and 6, the survey should be created in phase 3.
10. The outline reports “positive” in quality.
    • While this will be implemented in phases 5 and 6, the survey should be created in phase 3.

And now, back to adding this into the task list template:

1. EXPLORING YOUR VISION
   1. Project Needs Identified <M>
   2. Ideal Solution Fabricated <M>
   3. Target Audience Identified <M>
   4. Scope Identified <M>
2. PLANNING YOUR PROJECT
   1. Project Goal Identified <M>
   2. Objectives Identified <M>
   3. Tasks List Established <M>
   4. Project Dossier Created <M>
3. PLANNING YOUR PRODUCT
   1. Research Conducted <M>
   2. Tools Created
      1. Protocol: Identifying and Slating Topics of Uncertainty
      2. Survey: Media Objectives
      3. Protocol: Identifying Stakeholders and When to Include Them
      4. Protocol: Version Control
   3. Objectives and Scope Revisited
   4. Outline Drafted <M>
   5. Presentation Format Determined <M>
4. PRODUCING YOUR PRODUCT
   1. First Draft Created <M>
   2. First Draft Reviewed Internally <M>
   3. Self-test Conducted <M>
   4. Self-survey Conducted
5. REVIEWING YOUR PRODUCT CONTENT
   1. Confidant Draft Created <M>
   2. Confidant Draft Reviewed <M>
   3. Confidant Survey Conducted
   4. Second Draft Created <M>
   5. Second Draft Reviewed <M>
   6. Second Draft Survey Conducted
6. PUBLIC TESTING YOUR PRODUCT
   1. Test Readings Planned
   2. Test Readings Organized <M>
   3. Test Readings Executed <M>
7. LAUNCHING YOUR PRODUCT
   1. Final Version Created <M>
   2. Communications Planned <M>
   3. Communications Prepared <M>
   4. Final Product Launched <M>
8. TRANSITIONING TO NEXT PROJECT
   1. Retrospective Created <M>
   2. Loose Ends Tied <M>
   3. Start Next Phase of Project

Okay, I think that makes sense (for now). I removed “Launch project” since the goal of this project is to create an outline which would then be used to write a book. Though perhaps it could be launched as some marketing ploy. Who knows? Maybe I should put that phase back in there just in case.

Okay. That’s done. Now, for the final step of this phase, I need to create the project dossier. For this I’ll duplicate a project dossier from a previous project and replace all the content with data from this project.

That’s been created and that wraps up this session. In the next session, I will start to plan the product – researching all components from this project and all iterations and pieces that were created from before this project started. Should be a blast See you there!

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Action Items

• N/A