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22 Develop an Assignment Plan
Now that you have a clear idea of what you need to do, the next step is to break down the assignment into manageable “chunks”. The idea of completing a major research paper may seem overwhelming, but if you can divide the task into achievable steps you will be on your way to success.
Use the chart below to break your assignment into smaller steps. You will want to create steps that can be done easily in one day, and preferably in a single work period. Consider the following example breakdown for a research paper.
Read assignment instructions and rubric
October 2
Y
Review course materials and choose topic
October 3
Y
Library research — find 3 peer reviewed articles and two books
October 5
Read and take notes on two articles
October 7
Read and takes notes on final article and books
October 8
Organize notes; write thesis and outline
October 9
Write body paragraph 1
October 10
Write body paragraph 2
October 10
Write body paragraph 3
October 11
Write body paragraph 4
October 11
Write conclusion
October 12
Write introduction
October 12
Self-edit content and organization (use the rubric)
October 14
Writing tutor appointment
October 15
Edit and proofread assignment
October 16
Submit final assignment
October 18
In the above example, the assignment is divided into smaller pieces, with a manageable amount to complete each day. It is also clear when each task has been completed. A daily work goal like “work on research paper” is not well-defined, and can seem overwhelming. This can make it easy to procrastinate. By choosing specific and achievable goals, you may become more motivated to get started, and you will be able to measure your progress each day. Remember to reward yourself for meeting your goals along the way.
Choose one of your upcoming assignments, and create a work plan modelled on the example above.
Assignment samples, assignment instructions & rubrics, useful tools to plan assignments, useful tools to search & organize sources, useful tools to analyze sources & develop your ideas, writing strategies, learning strategies.
Here you can find the complete list of all the student assignment samples as well as practical tools and examples that are hyperlinked as PDF, Word or Excel files across Resource Pages.
This is a full literature review paper written by an OISE student on the topic of Computer-mediated Communication (CMC) and Written Corrective Feedback (WCF) in Writing Centers (WC). Throughout the paper, you will find several annotations. Yellow annotations refer to the structure of the paper, its content and how ideas are developed. Purple annotations refer to writing elements and language elements (e.g., paragraphs, paraphrases, summaries, quotes, stance and voice, cohesion, etc.).
This is an experiential reflection assignment written by OISE student Hongyu Chen about their observations of a Mandarin language class and language teaching methodologies.
These are two examples of annotated bibliographies with slightly different structures. These examples are illustrated and hyperlinked in the following Resource Page:
This is a rubric for an Annotated Bibliography assignment that shows the professor’s expectations and evaluation criteria. Students can use these evaluation criteria as guidelines when working on the assignment. This rubric is hyperlinked in the following Resource Page:
Download this template and use it when planning your work for an assignment. This template is hyperlinked in the following Resource Page:
Download this template and use it to brainstorm keywords for core concepts and related terms when searching sources for your assignment This template is hyperlinked in the following Resource Page:
Download this template and use it to keep track of your library searches when looking for sources for your assignment. At the top, you’ll find an example of how to use the template. This template is hyperlinked in the following Resource Page:
Download this template spreadsheet and use it to record and organize the bibliographic information of the sources you found. It will help you keep track of the sources collected. At the top, you’ll find an example of how to use this spreadsheet. This template is hyperlinked in the following Resource Page:
Download this template spreadsheet and use it to record and organize the key information of the sources you found + your notes about the relevant points from each source after reading them. It will help you when you analyze your sources and need to develop ideas for your assignment. At the top, you’ll find an example of how to use this spreadsheet. This template is hyperlinked in the following Resource Page:
Download this spreadsheet for an example of how you can summarize findings and record your analysis for each source you’ve read. The research topic in this example is assessment practices of online mathematics and statistics courses at the undergraduate level, with a focus on students’ and instructors’ perspectives. You can first browse the overall information of the example sources and pay attention to the final two columns for findings and critical analysis. This example is hyperlinked in the following Resource Page:
This is an example of how to use a table to organize your ideas and visualize the connections among them. These will become the points to include in your assignment. This example is hyperlinked in the following Resource Page:
This is an example of how to use a concept map to organize your ideas and visualize the connections among them. These will become the points to include in your assignment. This example is hyperlinked in the following Resource Page:
This is an example of how to use a literature review matrix to organize your ideas and visualize the connections among them. These will become the points to include in your assignment. This example is hyperlinked in the following Resource Page:
This is an example of how to use an outline to organize your ideas and visualize the connections among them. These will become the points to include in your assignment. This example is hyperlinked in the following Resource Page:
For users with accessibility needs: this example shows a well-structured paragraph featuring three main elements: a topic sentence, supporting statements and a conclusion or transition sentence. For all the other users: you can find this example as an image in the following Resource Page: What are Paragraphs.
For users with accessibility needs: this example shows the structure of a paragraph using the sandwich strategy. For all the other users: you can find this example as an image in the following Resource Page: How to Write Paragraphs
For users with accessibility needs: this example shows how different voices are used within a paragraph. For all the other users: you can find this example as an image in the following Resource Page: What are stance & voice and how to apply them in academic writing
This example with annotations shows how a student writer takes a stance and shifts between voices in a paragraph about Mathematics programs. This example is hyperlinked in the following Resource Page:
How to Write an Assignment Plan for It to Work
Table of Contents
What is an Assignment Plan?
Why having a plan helps, university assignment plan template: how to step-by-step guide, the research assignment plan template.
In simple terms, an assignment plan is what helps college and university students come up with a clear outline and preparation before they start writing. Even though it may not be obligatory for reflective writing for your English class, it is necessary to have a clear assignment plan for coursework, research papers, lab reports, and assignments that relate to explanatory, argumentative, or Rogerian assignment structure tasks. The trick is to find some helpful information or do your assignment online by asking for additional help when you are stuck. Regarding preparation, some students will turn to mind maps, basic outlines, others consider taking notes when finding a good example that could be used as a reference.
The assignment writing planning for your paper should represent more than just a draft you can come up with. It also includes additional reading and taking a closer look at search results that you encounter when browsing the web. Remember that the most important is to choose your topic and narrow things down accordingly. It should be done even before you start with a draft. Unfortunately, this part is often ignored as it is considered time-consuming. Yet, it has the opposite effect. Having an assignment plan actually helps to save time.
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If you have ever thought about how to write an assignment for university , the chances are high that you have already worked with a plan or even had to submit one. Here are solid reasons why it helps:
You focus on the list of helpful sources. It basically works as the annotated bibliography that you include as you write.
An assignment plan helps to narrow down the topics that are too general. When you have a plan, it is always possible to make a proposal with a clear argumentation.
It makes it easier to come up with a good thesis statement as you brainstorm various ideas.
You become more focused as you research your subject and start with a draft. It helps you to understand your objectives and come up with topic sentences that can be used as you form your assignment’s structure.
Having a draft makes it possible to present your topic to your college professor and revise things when you already have all the important thoughts written down.
You can choose those ideas that fit best and edit things later to fit the word count.
Step 1: Preparing Your Assignment. This is where you brainstorm your preferred subject and think about what can be chosen. It means setting your purpose, looking into similar research papers, and talking to your academic advisor if you are not sure about what must be chosen.
Step 2: Researching Your Subject. Once you have chosen something that works for you, consider moving to the stage of finding good sources and collecting statistical data. It is also where you should take notes that will be helpful as you cite something or come up with strong arguments.
Step 3: Working With a Draft/Outline. Do not be afraid of this assignment planner part even though it may sound frightening. Start with a basic outline where you present an introduction, your thesis statement, research arguments (objectives), and the list of topic sentences with your literature list. Depending on your subject, it may be either for your eyes only or serve as the professionally done draft (proposal).
Step 4: Editing & Revising. This is where you should eliminate all the weak parts by editing your assignment the way you would like. It is actually what helps to work in a relaxed environment and bring things to perfection.
Step 5: Proofreading. Unlike editing, you should not change your sentences at this stage. Look for formatting, grammar, style, syntax, and spelling errors. It also helps a lot if you read it aloud.
Once again, the purpose of a good assignment plan is to help you come up with strong arguments and structure your assignment correctly as you estimate what parts must go to each relevant section.
Don’t forget that our assignment writing service can also help with finance homework , science, math, marketing and accounting assignment help
As a rule, your assignment plan will always differ, depending on your subject and assignment type, yet the most common assignment plan example will include the following seven paragraphs:
Project’s Name: start date, end date, completed.
Research Objectives: up to 150-300 words. It should speak about the importance of your assignment and things you would like to achieve. Write an assignment brief as it should always be to the point.
Ideas and Sketches. Write down the basic ideas that you have for a paper (it can be as much as you would like).
Resources Used. The list of your sources with citation information and page numbers where applicable.
Thesis Statement. The most important part of your work – your main argument or a moral take.
Topic Sentences. These should represent your key arguments and appear at the start of each body paragraph in the final paper. The golden rule is to have one idea per body paragraph.
Conclusion. This part is another important section of your assignment plan as it should talk about what you wanted to achieve and what has helped (or hasn’t) to do it.
Having a plan in advance will always help you as you already know how to start an assignment by referencing your own writing!
What is an Assignment and Why Do We Need it? An assignment is a set task students or employees must complete as part of their study or job role and is usually presented in written form...
What is an Assignment and Why Do We Need it? An assignment is a set...
What is an Acknowledgement in Academic Writing? Writing an acknowledgment for a college paper, research project or dissertation is an important section. It gives students an opportunity to...
What is an Acknowledgement in Academic Writing? Writing an...
What Is an Abstract? An abstract is a short (generally under 250 words) summary of a larger piece of work, such as a dissertation or research paper. Whether it’s an abstract for a...
What Is an Abstract? An abstract is a short (generally under 250...
Over 1000 students entrusted Bro
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24 Create an Assignment Plan
Now that you have a clear idea of what you need to do, the next step is to break down the assignment into manageable “chunks”. The idea of completing a major research paper may seem overwhelming, but if you can divide the task into achievable steps you will be on your way to success.
Use the chart below to break your assignment into smaller steps. You will want to create steps that can be done easily in one day, and preferably in a single work period. Consider the following example breakdown for a research paper.
Read assignment instructions and rubric
October 2
Y
Review course materials and choose topic
October 3
Y
Library research — find 3 peer reviewed articles and two books
October 5
Read and take notes on two articles
October 7
Read and takes notes on final article and books
October 8
Organize notes; write thesis and outline
October 9
Write body paragraph 1
October 10
Write body paragraph 2
October 10
Write body paragraph 3
October 11
Write body paragraph 4
October 11
Write conclusion
October 12
Write introduction
October 12
Self-edit content and organization (use the rubric)
October 14
Writing tutor appointment
October 15
Edit and proofread assignment
October 16
Submit final assignment
October 18
In the above example, the assignment is divided into smaller pieces, with a manageable amount to complete each day. It is also clear when each task has been completed. A daily work goal like “work on research paper” is not well-defined, and can seem overwhelming. This can make it easy to procrastinate. By choosing specific and achievable goals, you may become more motivated to get started, and you will be able to measure your progress each day. Remember to reward yourself for meeting your goals along the way.
Choose one of your upcoming assignments, and create a work plan modeled on the example above.
The Writing your assignment resource is designed and monitored by Learning Advisers and Academic Librarians at UniSA.
Part of writing an assignment is creating a plan, and in some courses, you may be tasked with creating a plan as part of your assignment. A plan should build on your original brainstorming session and be informed by your research. A good place to start is the marking criteria. Use the marking criteria, in conjunction with the assessment instructions, to help you with establishing your plan.
As you are searching, develop the argument you are going to present as early as you can. In this way, you will be more targeted in trying to find information that will assist you with presenting this argument. Check that your argument, and your topic paragraphs, fit with the assessment details and the marking criteria before moving forward. Keep in mind, the plan is a fluid document that may change as you explore your topic further.
What should an essay plan include?
This is the argument your essay is going to make in response to the assignment question.
The main points are going to provide the supporting evidence in answer to the assignment question. Each main point will form one of the body paragraphs.
For example, an introduction, body and conclusion
Put in your own words the evidence you have sourced and place this under the relevant main point. Ensure you provide an in-text citation with your notes
Note: Although this video focuses on essay planning, a similar process can be applied to other assignment types. Watch the Report writing and/or Reflective writing videos to help you consider the structure and content of these types of writing when planning for your assignment.
Here we provide you with a number of example essay plans. Choose the style that suits you best when creating your own. If you are set an assignment task that asks for an essay plan, be sure to check the assignment requirements before creating one.
Sample Essay Plan - Simple (pdf)
Sample Essay Plan - Linear, structured (pdf)
Sample Essay Plan - Mind Map (pdf)
As you review this sample essay plan, hover over the underlined text for more information.
Note: In some browsers you may need to click on the highlighted text to read the extra information.
Assignment Writing: Planning
Following the Brief
Researching
Reading Tips
Writing Tips
Writing a First Draft
Proofreading and Editing
Formatting Assignments
Assignment Submission
Using Feedback
Planning is the key to writing a good assignment. Taking the time to plan your assignment will make it easier to understand what you are doing , ensure you are doing everything you are being asked to do, and help you achieve the task quicker . This guide introduces you to a range of planning examples.
What should I do when planning?
There are two main things to think about when planning .
Create a structure for your assignment. Your assignment sheet can help you do this.
We recommend using a writing frame (there is an example on this page) or a graphic organiser
When you know what you need to do, create a time plan. We recommend using a time planner
These plans might change as you move through the process and learn more. That's ok. If that happens, simply adjust your plan as needed.
For tips on planning your time, visit our Time Management guide
Planning your time
It's important to think about all tasks involved in the assignment writing process, and how long those tasks might take you.
Ask yourself, how much time do I need to complete all of the tasks? This will be different for everyone. You might need more time for researching, while someone else might need more time for writing.
When you know what you need to do, create a time plan. We recommend using a time planner.
Check out this video to learn how to plan your time around the tasks you need to complete. Then download the planning template below to help you plan your time from start to finish.
Assignment planning template Try this template from Melbourne University to set deadlines for completing tasks within your assignment. Adapt the template to include the different tasks you have to do for your specific assignment.
Stages of assignment writing from start to finish
Essay planning and writing templates
State Library Victoria includes several different templates to help you with different parts of your assignment planning and writing.
Understanding the question
Essay plan template
Organising essay ideas
Note-taking ideas
Bibliography (Referencing) template
How to write an essay plan (7 simple steps) by Helpful Professor
Structure your assignment with a writing frame
A writing frame allows you to organise your tasks or ideas into sections and put your ideas into a logical order.
Do you remember the assignment brief from the previous page? Below we show you how you can organise the tasks into sections.
Written Assignment (Summative) - Te Tiriti o Waitangi in Aotearoa New Zealand
Due date: 12 October
Word count: 1200 (+/-10%)
This essay will:
120
None
Three main paragraphs that:
300
300
300
2
3
3
Summarise your key findings, and the things learnt from researching and writing the assignment
120
None
Include all the sources used in the assignment.
Check out the that was created by Whitireia and WelTec's Library Team.
Some students like to add an extra column to their writing frame so they can write what they learn straight into their plan.
Click here to download a writing frame template
Take a moment
Take a moment - It's your turn to plan your assignment.
Study Skills & Learning Strategies: Assignment Planning
Take Inventory of Your Assignment Planning Strategies
In this section, think about the strategies you use to tackle your assignments. Ask yourself how well those strategies are working and why.
and a . . . skills.
If you feel unsure about where to start or completing your assignments on time, having a personalized plan in place can alleviate the anxiety and provide you with a road map to tackle even the toughest tasks.
Complete this short survey to gain a better understanding of the steps involved in assignment planning.
Personalize/Plan Your Approach
Reflect on the strategies you use to complete your assignments. Do they your learning? Explore the resource links below and strategies that you can easily and to suit your learning needs.
ADOPT
APPLY
ADAPT
that enhance your ability to plan and meet assignment deadlines
Strategies that extend your ability to manage your assignment load and track your progress
Strategies that improve the quality of your assignments through self-assessment and feedback
from Leeds University provides several tips on how to approach the planning process.
can help you get started.
(TrentU) provides planning strategies for different types of assignments.
describes how to plan from the assignment deadline
Make a habit of using * for help with developing completion timelines and finding resources for stages of the writing process.
TrentU's describes the steps in the planning process.
Try using to make action plans for , , .
Use the for free 1-on-1 support and to get feedback on your organization skills and writing style.
Use the feedback your receive to improve your writing process by .
Try this tutorial by Algonquin College to master your ability to assignments into smaller, more manageable parts.
:
Your Task
Choose assignment planning strategies that your ability to get started, track your progress, and meet deadlines
on your assignment planning strategies to your choice and control, and become an empowered learner
Assignment Planning Steps
Need more help?
Attend a workshop
USask Assignment Planner
Be aware of Academic Integrity
Assignment Planning Templates
Understanding Your Assignment Checklist (pdf)
Assignment Planner (pdf)
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Next: Reading & Note-Taking >>
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The University of Saskatchewan's main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis.
Academic writing skills guide: structuring your assignment.
Key Features of Academic Writing
The Writing Process
Understanding Assignments
Brainstorming Techniques
Planning Your Assignments
Thesis Statements
Writing Drafts
Structuring Your Assignment
How to Deal With Writer's Block
Using Paragraphs
Conclusions
Introductions
Revising & Editing
Proofreading
Grammar & Punctuation
Reporting Verbs
Signposting, Transitions & Linking Words/Phrases
Using Lecturers' Feedback
Organising and structuring your assignment can be as important as the content itself as it helps you present your arguments in a logical way. A good, logical structure to your assignment is key to ensuring your lecturer can follow your argument, making it easier to read and understand. You should take them on a journey to your conclusion, so that they can see how your case builds up through your assignment.
An effective structure not only improves the flow of your writing but also demonstrates that you thought about and planned your work before you started writing. This is important as it is obvious to any lecturer if you have not planned your work before you start. Not only does this demonstrate poor thinking, it makes your work harder to understand, which will inevitably harm your grades.
If you work on the structure before you write your first draft, you will not have to do so much reorganisation and rewriting when it is completed. Time spent organising the structure of the main body of your assignment is valuable as it gives you the chance to link paragraphs together into a logical sequence. It will also make the writing process easier as adopting a structured approach helps you break down each part of the process into manageable chunks.
Planning the structure of an assignment is important and will help you to feel more in control of your writing as it begins to take shape. Good planning is key for a well-structured assignment – you should not launch into writing with no idea of what you are going to write. Think carefully about how to structure your assignment before you start to write.
Having a well-structured plan will help you considerably in producing a cohesive assignment and will also allow you to write your assignment in stages since it will clearly map out the direction you should proceed in. Before you begin writing, check the structure to make sure it matches the assignment requirements and repeat these checks as you draft and redraft your assignments.
Keep referring back to the question and assignment brief and make sure that your structure matches what you have been asked to do and check to see if you have appropriate and sufficient evidence to support all of your points. Plans can be structured/restructured at any time during the writing process.
Once you have decided on your key point(s), draw a line through any points that no longer seem to fit. This will mean you are eliminating some ideas and potentially letting go of one or two points that you wanted to make. However, this process is all about improving the relevance and coherence of your writing. Writing involves making choices, including the tough choice to sideline ideas that, however promising, do not fit into your main discussion.
Eventually, you will have a structure that is detailed enough for you to start writing. You will know which ideas go into each section and, ideally, each paragraph and in what order. You will also know which evidence for those ideas from your notes you will be using for each section and paragraph.
Once you have a map/framework of the proposed structure, this forms the skeleton of your assignment and if you have invested enough time and effort into researching and brainstorming your ideas beforehand, it should make it easier to flesh it out. Ultimately, you are aiming for a final draft where you can sum up each paragraph in a couple of words as each paragraph focuses on one main point or idea.
All written assignments have a required word count which generally does not include the bibliography or cover page – you will be expected to stay within 10% of the advised word count. Use the word count to develop your structure and plan - set approximate word limits for each of your sections so you stay within the overall word count target.
Also, look at the marking criteria for the sections of your assignment and break down your word count for each section accordingly - if there is no indication of different marks, treat each section equally. The breakdown of marks tells you how much time to spend on, and how much to write on, each part of the assignment.
The best time to outline an initial structure is usually after you have done your initial reading and research and decided what you are going to argue. At this stage, you should begin to have an idea of the key points you want to make. Try out different ways of organising your ideas and arguments into different themes ( can help you with this).
Look through your notes. What are the common or recurring themes and ideas? What are the important issues? Establish connections between your points and synthesise ideas from a range of authors and sources; group together similar points and ideas from your sources under different themes. By writing thematically you can structure your writing much more clearly and create space for your own critical analysis and evaluation.
It is the argument, and how you decide to present and back up your argument, that will determine how you structure your assignment. Your argument should be based on the evidence that you have found in your reading and how convincing you think that evidence is. The key evidence and reasoning for your position form the main points that you try and develop in your assignment.
Ideally, at the end of this process, you should know how your assignment will end before you start properly writing it up. Inevitably there will be ideas and information you will have to leave out - you may realise that some material is not credible or relevant enough for the assignment.
The argument in your assignment is basically a series of points so it is worth giving some thought to how you will arrange your ideas so that your sections and paragraphs follow a logical order. No need to be worried by the term logical order, it just means putting your points in a sensible order that takes your reader through your discussion step-by-step – what do they need to know first, and next, and then next? What will be the best order for your ideas? You need to be able to put things in a logical order, so that your reader can follow what you are saying throughout the whole assignment.
Grouping your points together from your assignment planning will help you create a logical order. You can then put these groups into a sequence that the reader can follow to help them make sense of the topic or argument. This normally goes from general to specific but can vary depending on the assignment. When you start writing you should have a clear idea of what you want to say from the planning stage. Use a list of your main points and think about what the reader needs to know and in what order they need to know it.
Each note/slide will develop into one of your paragraphs. If you decide you like the order you have put them in, then take a photo of the post-it notes or save the PowerPoint presentation. If you think it is not right, rearrange them until you get it how you like it. Do not be afraid to experiment with alternative structures, as this process may lead you to refine your argument further.
For any assignment always check with your lecturer if they require a specific structure. If your lecturer has given you specific instructions about how to organise your assignment, make sure you follow them. Academic assignments usually follow an established organisational structure that has, at a minimum, an .
The introduction is essentially a map for the reader; it sets out the path that your assignment will follow. Outline the main direction the writing will take and give any necessary background information and context.
The purpose of the main body is to set out your argument. Here, you work through key points and support them with evidence. The main body is made up of paragraphs that develop each of the assignment’s main points. These points should be set out in a logical order, to make it easier for the reader to follow and understand.
The conclusion draws together the main threads of your argument as you summarise the most important points and then show that you have answered the assignment question/brief. Here, you highlight the key message or argument you want the reader to take away, clearly stating your point of view. You may also identify any gaps or weaknesses in the arguments or ideas presented and recommend further research or investigation where appropriate.
When you have completed your research you should be in a position to prepare an outline plan for the assignment. The outline plan is a more structured and detailed plan than the initial plan you created at the brainstorming stage. It should give you a step-by-step overview of the assignment.
Download a copy or click on the image above.
This template is designed to assist you with the collection and organisation of information into your notes and to plan the structure of your work before you start writing your first draft. The Assignment Planning - Guidelines has four stages:
Use the collecting information sheet to list the sources and information you find for your assignment.
Use the organising your research sheet to help you organise and combine the sources you found in Stage #1 into separate sections that relate to different themes in your assignment.
Take the information gathered in Stage #2 and organise it into the assignment framework chart to finalise your structure.
Go through the Assignment check list to check that you have included everything that is required for each section.
Communications from the Library: Please note all communications from the library, concerning renewal of books, overdue books and reservations will be sent to your NCI student email account.
During your studies you will be required to submit assignments which may include essays, reports and reflective writing. It is important that you spend time planning your assignment before you begin to write your first draft which will help to ensure that you answer the question and meet the assessment criteria. This section will provide you with information regarding understanding the assignment question, managing your time, searching for relevant academic research and writing an assignment plan.
Your programme will require your assignments to be structured and formatted in a particular way. You should always follow any instructions or guidance that you have been issued with, if you are unsure, please contact your Personal Tutor or Student Support Officer for advice.
Generative AI Online Videos
The following online videos will provide you with information regarding using Generative AI tools in your assignments:
Recommended Websites
Recommended apps.
Assignment Question
Time Management
It is important that you read the assignment question several times to ensure that you fully understand what you are being asked to do and avoid losing valuable marks.
Some students find it helpful to highlight the keywords in the assignment task including any verbs such as Assess and Evaluate.
The Impact that the use of Electri c C ars has on the Environment
Also carefully read the assessment criteria, find out what the word count is, the referencing style that you need to use and how the assignment needs to be presented.
If you are unsure about what you are being asked to do you need to speak to your lecturer or tutor.
It is important that you plan when you will be able to work on an assignment to ensure that you make the most of the time available and hand your work in on time. You could use an online calendar to help you manage your time and the assignment writing process can be divided into the following steps:
Understand the assignment question
Search for information
Plan the assignment
Write the first draft of the assignment
Edit assignment
Proofread assignment
Submit assignment
Further information is also available from the Managing your Time page.
This stage involves searching for print and online sources that will provide you with the information that you need. You could start by thinking about what you already know about the subject. A useful starting point could be your lecture notes and the module reading list.
The Online Library website provides you with access to different resources that you can search to find both print and online resources.
Further information is available from the Academic Research section.
Assignment Plan
After you have read and made notes on the different sources the next stage is to create an assignment plan. It is important that you check the assessment criteria and the word count which will help you you to identify topics that you may need to research further.
Most assignments follow the structure displayed in the table below:
Introduction
Introduce the subject, the assignment aims and objectives and how you plan to answer the question.
Main Body
Presents your main arguments and discussion in a logical order and is supported by evidence.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points and ideas that you have made in your assignment and refers back to the assignment aims and objectives
Assignment Plan Template
Recommended Books
Trevor Day-Success in Academic Writing
Mike Wallace and Alison Wray-Critical Reading and Writing for Postgraduates
Study support reading list.
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Next: Academic Writing >>
Last Updated: Aug 23, 2024 3:24 PM
URL: https://bpp.libguides.com/studySupport
Planning and Structuring Assignments
Planning and structuring
Sessions and recordings
Steps to planning your writing
Understanding the assignment
Planning your content
Structuring your answer
Writing your answer
Signposting language
Quick resources (5-10 mins)
e-learning and books (30 mins+)
SkillsCheck This link opens in a new window
Skill Guide
Welcome to this guide on Planning and Structuring Assignments. If you have difficulty getting started, or organising your ideas, you've come to the right place. This guide addresses key aspects of planning your work, getting started, making sense of assessment criteria, and templates for structures and paragraphs. Here are the aspects covered in this guide.
Signposting language
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Planning Your Assignment
Understand and analyze your assignment
Narrow your topic
Do preliminary research and review course concepts
Develop a working research question or thesis question
Make a research plan
Read sources and take notes
Develop a thesis and outline
Write first draft
Revise and edit
Proofread and check citations
Booking an appointment with an Academic Skills Instructor is beneficial at any stage of the writing process. Plan ahead and book an instructor to help you understand your assignment, create an outline, or review the first draft of your paper.
Consider how long each step will take and make a plan for when you will complete each step. Enter these mini-deadlines into your calendar or planner. See an example.
1. Understand and analyze your assignment
Spend some time to fully understand your assignment before you begin your work.
Analyze the assignment question: read it carefully and underline key words, terms, and concepts.
The length of the assignment provides clues as to how much research you need to do and the depth of the paper
Research requirements: number and type of sources
Referencing style (APA, MLA, Chicago etc.)
Try our template for analyzing your assignment instructions: How to Analyze your Assignment Instructions.docx .
2. Narrow your topic
Take time to narrow your topic ; a focused topic promotes good research and strong analysis.
When you can choose your own topic, pick something that truly interests you. Browse through the syllabus, lecture and reading notes, and course readings to help you decide.
3. Do preliminary research and review course concepts
Preliminary reading helps to focus your topic. You can determine how much information is available and whether you need to change the scope of your topic.
Start with course readings and texts.
Search the Trent Library Guides to find reference tools related to your discipline, including the best databases to use, relevant peer reviewed journals, good websites, dictionaries, and encyclopedias.
4. Develop a working research question or thesis question
A research question is a starting point that expresses what you want to know about your topic and why you want to know it. A good question will help focus your research.
5. Make a research plan
The research process will consume a significant amount of time, so make sure that you leave plenty of time for this stage. Research is easier when you take the time to plan .
Research Plan Worksheet
6. Read sources and take notes
Read your sources efficiently and effectively . Academic reading is difficult reading and requires you to both actively and critically read.
Take useful research notes. Notetaking from reading is a critical skill that aids in the research process and also distances you from your sources to help prevent plagiarism.
Notetaking templates
7. Develop a thesis and an outline
The thesis is your position about the topic and the centre around which your paper will be organized. Review how to generate a good thesis .
An outline identifies the main sections of the paper in relation to one another and the order in which they will be discussed in the essay. Include the evidence (and citation information) that you will use to support each section. There are various ways to outline a paper.
8. Write a first draft
The first draft for most writers is a document that contains errors, rough points, and incomplete sections. This becomes the basis for thoughtful revision and a final draft.
Start writing the first draft.
9. Revise and edit
Revise the whole paper. This includes considering the structure and argumentation of the paper.
Edit for sentence-level errors and ensure that you are communicating your ideas clearly.
10. Proofread and check citations
Final proofreading is important for a polished finished product.
Check citations for accuracy; our documentation guide has full details on proper citation.
Study and research support
Academic skills
Plan your writing
Interpret your assignment.
Planning how you approach your writing will make sure that you understand the task, can manage your time, and present a researched, structured and focused assignment.
Before you start writing, you need to understand what type of writing you are required to produce. For example, you might be asked to produce a report, an essay, an annotated bibliography or a literature review. This will shape how you will prepare, research and write your assignment. Take time to understand the conventions of each type of assignment and what is expected of you.
Understand instructional words
Instructional verbs in the assignment task will indicate how to plan your approach. Choose the instructional words that you have been given below to reveal what they mean.
Instructional verbs
Examine an issue in close detail and break it into its constituent parts. Look in depth at each part, consider the evidence, and show you understand the relationship between them.
Decide on the importance or usefulness of something and give reasons and evidence for your decision.
Identify similarities and differences between two or more things, problems or arguments. Draw a conclusion about which (if either) you think is preferable or more convincing.
Outline the meaning of a word, concept or theory as it is used in your discipline. In some cases it may be necessary or desirable to examine different possible, or often used, definitions.
Present factual information about something, using appropriate evidence to support your description.
Examine the arguments and the evidence to support them. Consider different sides of the issue and weigh up the implications of each argument.
Make an appraisal of the worth of something, an argument or a set of beliefs, in the light of its validity or value. This does involve making your own judgements, but they must be supported by an evidenced argument and justification.
Explain or clarify something using evidence, diagrams, figures, or case studies.
Provide adequate reasons for a decision or a conclusion by supporting it with sufficient evidence and argument; answer the main objections that are likely to be made to it.
Summarise the main features or the general principles of a subject, topic or theory.
Provide a thorough examination of a topic. You may be asked to draw your own conclusions.
To what extent
Explore and present the argument(s) for a particular topic and state the degree to which you agree with them.
Accordion 1
Sample accordion 1
Adapted from: Greetham, B. 2018. How to write better essays . 4th ed. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
Scope and focus
Look at the assignment task to identify whether there is a specific aspect of the topic that you are being asked to focus on. For example:
Is the topic or question limited to a certain time period, region, or group of people?
Are you being asked to consider a particular angle (for example, political, social, economic aspects of the topic)?
If the assignment task does not include information about the scope or limitations of the topic, you should choose these yourself. Think about what key issues have been covered in your module and whether you could use any of these to produce a focused answer to the question.
If something in the assignment brief is unclear, check with your module leader as soon as possible before starting to plan your answer.
Watch this short video on how to plan and get started with your assignment.
Define your purpose and reader
The next step before writing is to clearly define the purpose of the writing and the audience.
Most formal academic writing at university is set by, and written for, an academic tutor or assessor. There should be clear criteria against which they will mark your work. Your tutor may ask you to write for different audiences such as a lay audience or your peers, so make sure you know who your intended audience is before you start writing.
Once you have a clear idea of what is required for your assignment, you can start to plan what you are going to write.
How to Write a Plan for Your Assignment
“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” ― Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln’s wise words ring true for all walks of life and none more so than university assignments. Assignments are a key part of the university. Students who learn how to plan an assignment early on in their university career will find their assignments less daunting, easier to write and crucially, more highly graded. Below are some key tips on how you can successfully plan a great assignment.
Read the Question!
This might seem obvious, but not fully understanding the question is a surprisingly common (and totally avoidable) stumbling block for students. Make sure you understand exactly what is being asked of you and if you aren’t 100% sure, seek clarification from your peers or your tutor. Try breaking the question down to ensure you cover everything asked.
Reading widely is absolutely key for a successful assignment. It will be obvious to any marker if the student has not read key texts. By limiting your reading, you immediately limit your essay. You don’t have to read every article or textbook before writing your assignment plan, you may well discover some along the way. The footnotes and bibliographies of the earlier articles and textbooks you do read are a great source of further reading.
When you do your reading, it is essential that you make notes.
Top tip: when making notes on an article or book always include the full reference with your notes – this will save you time and stress when you come to your footnotes and bibliography.
Create a Skeleton Plan
A good early technique when creating an assignment plan is to begin with a skeleton of what your final essay may contain. This needn’t be greatly detailed and you may add or drop things from it as you progress with your research and the essay itself, but starting with a basic outline helps to give you early direction and focuses your reading.
Draft, then Redraft
An assignment draft is essential, it gives you the opportunity to see your thoughts and ideas on the page and see if they link together in the way you envisage. Once you have written your first assignment draft, take a break, and then come back with a fresh pair of eyes. This is key for spotting any errors and inconsistencies in the essay. Your second assignment draft should iron out these inconsistencies, make the assignment a coherent whole and leave you with minor refinements before deadline day.
Find what Works for You
While all of the above are solid techniques for assignment planning, every student is different. Some people like doing mind maps, some bullet points; others just jump straight into the writing. It may take some time to discover what works best for you when writing assignments, so don’t be afraid to experiment!
A good assignment plan equals a good assignment. Remember Uncle Abe’s advice; don’t just start hacking at that assignment, give yourself the tools to do the job properly and efficiently.
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Understanding Assignments
What this handout is about.
The first step in any successful college writing venture is reading the assignment. While this sounds like a simple task, it can be a tough one. This handout will help you unravel your assignment and begin to craft an effective response. Much of the following advice will involve translating typical assignment terms and practices into meaningful clues to the type of writing your instructor expects. See our short video for more tips.
Basic beginnings
Regardless of the assignment, department, or instructor, adopting these two habits will serve you well :
Read the assignment carefully as soon as you receive it. Do not put this task off—reading the assignment at the beginning will save you time, stress, and problems later. An assignment can look pretty straightforward at first, particularly if the instructor has provided lots of information. That does not mean it will not take time and effort to complete; you may even have to learn a new skill to complete the assignment.
Ask the instructor about anything you do not understand. Do not hesitate to approach your instructor. Instructors would prefer to set you straight before you hand the paper in. That’s also when you will find their feedback most useful.
Assignment formats
Many assignments follow a basic format. Assignments often begin with an overview of the topic, include a central verb or verbs that describe the task, and offer some additional suggestions, questions, or prompts to get you started.
An Overview of Some Kind
The instructor might set the stage with some general discussion of the subject of the assignment, introduce the topic, or remind you of something pertinent that you have discussed in class. For example:
“Throughout history, gerbils have played a key role in politics,” or “In the last few weeks of class, we have focused on the evening wear of the housefly …”
The Task of the Assignment
Pay attention; this part tells you what to do when you write the paper. Look for the key verb or verbs in the sentence. Words like analyze, summarize, or compare direct you to think about your topic in a certain way. Also pay attention to words such as how, what, when, where, and why; these words guide your attention toward specific information. (See the section in this handout titled “Key Terms” for more information.)
“Analyze the effect that gerbils had on the Russian Revolution”, or “Suggest an interpretation of housefly undergarments that differs from Darwin’s.”
Additional Material to Think about
Here you will find some questions to use as springboards as you begin to think about the topic. Instructors usually include these questions as suggestions rather than requirements. Do not feel compelled to answer every question unless the instructor asks you to do so. Pay attention to the order of the questions. Sometimes they suggest the thinking process your instructor imagines you will need to follow to begin thinking about the topic.
“You may wish to consider the differing views held by Communist gerbils vs. Monarchist gerbils, or Can there be such a thing as ‘the housefly garment industry’ or is it just a home-based craft?”
These are the instructor’s comments about writing expectations:
“Be concise”, “Write effectively”, or “Argue furiously.”
Technical Details
These instructions usually indicate format rules or guidelines.
“Your paper must be typed in Palatino font on gray paper and must not exceed 600 pages. It is due on the anniversary of Mao Tse-tung’s death.”
The assignment’s parts may not appear in exactly this order, and each part may be very long or really short. Nonetheless, being aware of this standard pattern can help you understand what your instructor wants you to do.
Interpreting the assignment
Ask yourself a few basic questions as you read and jot down the answers on the assignment sheet:
Why did your instructor ask you to do this particular task?
Who is your audience.
What kind of evidence do you need to support your ideas?
What kind of writing style is acceptable?
What are the absolute rules of the paper?
Try to look at the question from the point of view of the instructor. Recognize that your instructor has a reason for giving you this assignment and for giving it to you at a particular point in the semester. In every assignment, the instructor has a challenge for you. This challenge could be anything from demonstrating an ability to think clearly to demonstrating an ability to use the library. See the assignment not as a vague suggestion of what to do but as an opportunity to show that you can handle the course material as directed. Paper assignments give you more than a topic to discuss—they ask you to do something with the topic. Keep reminding yourself of that. Be careful to avoid the other extreme as well: do not read more into the assignment than what is there.
Of course, your instructor has given you an assignment so that they will be able to assess your understanding of the course material and give you an appropriate grade. But there is more to it than that. Your instructor has tried to design a learning experience of some kind. Your instructor wants you to think about something in a particular way for a particular reason. If you read the course description at the beginning of your syllabus, review the assigned readings, and consider the assignment itself, you may begin to see the plan, purpose, or approach to the subject matter that your instructor has created for you. If you still aren’t sure of the assignment’s goals, try asking the instructor. For help with this, see our handout on getting feedback .
Given your instructor’s efforts, it helps to answer the question: What is my purpose in completing this assignment? Is it to gather research from a variety of outside sources and present a coherent picture? Is it to take material I have been learning in class and apply it to a new situation? Is it to prove a point one way or another? Key words from the assignment can help you figure this out. Look for key terms in the form of active verbs that tell you what to do.
Key Terms: Finding Those Active Verbs
Here are some common key words and definitions to help you think about assignment terms:
Information words Ask you to demonstrate what you know about the subject, such as who, what, when, where, how, and why.
define —give the subject’s meaning (according to someone or something). Sometimes you have to give more than one view on the subject’s meaning
describe —provide details about the subject by answering question words (such as who, what, when, where, how, and why); you might also give details related to the five senses (what you see, hear, feel, taste, and smell)
explain —give reasons why or examples of how something happened
illustrate —give descriptive examples of the subject and show how each is connected with the subject
summarize —briefly list the important ideas you learned about the subject
trace —outline how something has changed or developed from an earlier time to its current form
research —gather material from outside sources about the subject, often with the implication or requirement that you will analyze what you have found
Relation words Ask you to demonstrate how things are connected.
compare —show how two or more things are similar (and, sometimes, different)
contrast —show how two or more things are dissimilar
apply —use details that you’ve been given to demonstrate how an idea, theory, or concept works in a particular situation
cause —show how one event or series of events made something else happen
relate —show or describe the connections between things
Interpretation words Ask you to defend ideas of your own about the subject. Do not see these words as requesting opinion alone (unless the assignment specifically says so), but as requiring opinion that is supported by concrete evidence. Remember examples, principles, definitions, or concepts from class or research and use them in your interpretation.
assess —summarize your opinion of the subject and measure it against something
prove, justify —give reasons or examples to demonstrate how or why something is the truth
evaluate, respond —state your opinion of the subject as good, bad, or some combination of the two, with examples and reasons
support —give reasons or evidence for something you believe (be sure to state clearly what it is that you believe)
synthesize —put two or more things together that have not been put together in class or in your readings before; do not just summarize one and then the other and say that they are similar or different—you must provide a reason for putting them together that runs all the way through the paper
analyze —determine how individual parts create or relate to the whole, figure out how something works, what it might mean, or why it is important
argue —take a side and defend it with evidence against the other side
More Clues to Your Purpose As you read the assignment, think about what the teacher does in class:
What kinds of textbooks or coursepack did your instructor choose for the course—ones that provide background information, explain theories or perspectives, or argue a point of view?
In lecture, does your instructor ask your opinion, try to prove their point of view, or use keywords that show up again in the assignment?
What kinds of assignments are typical in this discipline? Social science classes often expect more research. Humanities classes thrive on interpretation and analysis.
How do the assignments, readings, and lectures work together in the course? Instructors spend time designing courses, sometimes even arguing with their peers about the most effective course materials. Figuring out the overall design to the course will help you understand what each assignment is meant to achieve.
Now, what about your reader? Most undergraduates think of their audience as the instructor. True, your instructor is a good person to keep in mind as you write. But for the purposes of a good paper, think of your audience as someone like your roommate: smart enough to understand a clear, logical argument, but not someone who already knows exactly what is going on in your particular paper. Remember, even if the instructor knows everything there is to know about your paper topic, they still have to read your paper and assess your understanding. In other words, teach the material to your reader.
Aiming a paper at your audience happens in two ways: you make decisions about the tone and the level of information you want to convey.
Tone means the “voice” of your paper. Should you be chatty, formal, or objective? Usually you will find some happy medium—you do not want to alienate your reader by sounding condescending or superior, but you do not want to, um, like, totally wig on the man, you know? Eschew ostentatious erudition: some students think the way to sound academic is to use big words. Be careful—you can sound ridiculous, especially if you use the wrong big words.
The level of information you use depends on who you think your audience is. If you imagine your audience as your instructor and they already know everything you have to say, you may find yourself leaving out key information that can cause your argument to be unconvincing and illogical. But you do not have to explain every single word or issue. If you are telling your roommate what happened on your favorite science fiction TV show last night, you do not say, “First a dark-haired white man of average height, wearing a suit and carrying a flashlight, walked into the room. Then a purple alien with fifteen arms and at least three eyes turned around. Then the man smiled slightly. In the background, you could hear a clock ticking. The room was fairly dark and had at least two windows that I saw.” You also do not say, “This guy found some aliens. The end.” Find some balance of useful details that support your main point.
You’ll find a much more detailed discussion of these concepts in our handout on audience .
The Grim Truth
With a few exceptions (including some lab and ethnography reports), you are probably being asked to make an argument. You must convince your audience. It is easy to forget this aim when you are researching and writing; as you become involved in your subject matter, you may become enmeshed in the details and focus on learning or simply telling the information you have found. You need to do more than just repeat what you have read. Your writing should have a point, and you should be able to say it in a sentence. Sometimes instructors call this sentence a “thesis” or a “claim.”
So, if your instructor tells you to write about some aspect of oral hygiene, you do not want to just list: “First, you brush your teeth with a soft brush and some peanut butter. Then, you floss with unwaxed, bologna-flavored string. Finally, gargle with bourbon.” Instead, you could say, “Of all the oral cleaning methods, sandblasting removes the most plaque. Therefore it should be recommended by the American Dental Association.” Or, “From an aesthetic perspective, moldy teeth can be quite charming. However, their joys are short-lived.”
Convincing the reader of your argument is the goal of academic writing. It doesn’t have to say “argument” anywhere in the assignment for you to need one. Look at the assignment and think about what kind of argument you could make about it instead of just seeing it as a checklist of information you have to present. For help with understanding the role of argument in academic writing, see our handout on argument .
What kind of evidence do you need?
There are many kinds of evidence, and what type of evidence will work for your assignment can depend on several factors–the discipline, the parameters of the assignment, and your instructor’s preference. Should you use statistics? Historical examples? Do you need to conduct your own experiment? Can you rely on personal experience? See our handout on evidence for suggestions on how to use evidence appropriately.
Make sure you are clear about this part of the assignment, because your use of evidence will be crucial in writing a successful paper. You are not just learning how to argue; you are learning how to argue with specific types of materials and ideas. Ask your instructor what counts as acceptable evidence. You can also ask a librarian for help. No matter what kind of evidence you use, be sure to cite it correctly—see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial .
You cannot always tell from the assignment just what sort of writing style your instructor expects. The instructor may be really laid back in class but still expect you to sound formal in writing. Or the instructor may be fairly formal in class and ask you to write a reflection paper where you need to use “I” and speak from your own experience.
Try to avoid false associations of a particular field with a style (“art historians like wacky creativity,” or “political scientists are boring and just give facts”) and look instead to the types of readings you have been given in class. No one expects you to write like Plato—just use the readings as a guide for what is standard or preferable to your instructor. When in doubt, ask your instructor about the level of formality they expect.
No matter what field you are writing for or what facts you are including, if you do not write so that your reader can understand your main idea, you have wasted your time. So make clarity your main goal. For specific help with style, see our handout on style .
Technical details about the assignment
The technical information you are given in an assignment always seems like the easy part. This section can actually give you lots of little hints about approaching the task. Find out if elements such as page length and citation format (see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial ) are negotiable. Some professors do not have strong preferences as long as you are consistent and fully answer the assignment. Some professors are very specific and will deduct big points for deviations.
Usually, the page length tells you something important: The instructor thinks the size of the paper is appropriate to the assignment’s parameters. In plain English, your instructor is telling you how many pages it should take for you to answer the question as fully as you are expected to. So if an assignment is two pages long, you cannot pad your paper with examples or reword your main idea several times. Hit your one point early, defend it with the clearest example, and finish quickly. If an assignment is ten pages long, you can be more complex in your main points and examples—and if you can only produce five pages for that assignment, you need to see someone for help—as soon as possible.
Tricks that don’t work
Your instructors are not fooled when you:
spend more time on the cover page than the essay —graphics, cool binders, and cute titles are no replacement for a well-written paper.
use huge fonts, wide margins, or extra spacing to pad the page length —these tricks are immediately obvious to the eye. Most instructors use the same word processor you do. They know what’s possible. Such tactics are especially damning when the instructor has a stack of 60 papers to grade and yours is the only one that low-flying airplane pilots could read.
use a paper from another class that covered “sort of similar” material . Again, the instructor has a particular task for you to fulfill in the assignment that usually relates to course material and lectures. Your other paper may not cover this material, and turning in the same paper for more than one course may constitute an Honor Code violation . Ask the instructor—it can’t hurt.
get all wacky and “creative” before you answer the question . Showing that you are able to think beyond the boundaries of a simple assignment can be good, but you must do what the assignment calls for first. Again, check with your instructor. A humorous tone can be refreshing for someone grading a stack of papers, but it will not get you a good grade if you have not fulfilled the task.
Critical reading of assignments leads to skills in other types of reading and writing. If you get good at figuring out what the real goals of assignments are, you are going to be better at understanding the goals of all of your classes and fields of study.
You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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How to write an effective project plan in 6 simple steps
Contributing writer
If you’re a Type A personality, project planning might sound like music to your ears. Setting deadlines, organizing tasks, and creating order out of chaos — what’s not to love?
The reality is that project planning isn’t for everyone. In one survey by Association for Project Management, 76% of project professionals said their main project was a source of stress . Poor planning, unclear responsibilities, and overallocation are often the culprits behind the stress.
An effective project plan helps teams stay within budget, scope, and schedule, while delivering quality work. In short, it gets you to the finish line without the stress.
What is a project plan?
A project plan, also known as a work plan, is a blueprint of your project lifecycle. It’s like a roadmap — it clearly outlines how to get from where you are now (the beginning of the project) to where you want to go (the successful completion of the project).
“A project plan is an action plan outlining how…[to] accomplish project goals,” says Jami Yazdani , certified Project Management Professional (PMP), project coach, project management consultant, and founder of Yazdani Consulting and Facilitation .
A comprehensive project plan includes the project schedule, project scope, due dates, and deliverables. Writing a good project plan is key for any new, complex project in the pipeline.
Why Are Project Plans Important?
Project plans allow you to visualize your entire project, from beginning to end—and develop a clear strategy to get from point A to point B. Project plans steer stakeholders in the right direction and keep team members accountable with a common baseline.
Project plans help you stay agile
Projects are bound by what is traditionally called the “iron triangle” of project management . It means that project managers have to work within the three constraints of scope, resources (project budget and teams), and schedule. You cannot make changes to one without impacting the other two.
Modern-day project management has shifted to a more agile approach, with a focus on quality. This means that resources and schedules remain unchanged but a fixed number of iterations (flexible scope) helps teams deliver better quality and more value.
A project plan puts this “agile triangle” in place by mapping out resources, schedules, and the number of iterations — sprints if you’re using a Scrum framework and work in progress (WIP) limits if you’re using the Kanban methodology .
As Yazdani points out, “Project plans help us strategize a path to project success, allowing us to consider the factors that will impact our project, from stakeholders to budget to schedule delays, and plan how to maximize or mitigate these factors.”
Project plans provide complete visibility
A project plan, when created with a comprehensive project management software , gives you 360-degree visibility throughout the project lifecycle.
As a project manager, you need a single source of truth on team members and their project tasks, project scope, project objectives, and project timelines. A detailed project plan gives you this visibility and helps teams stay on track.
Project plans also help to get everyone involved on the same page, setting clear expectations around what needs to be accomplished, when, and by who.
“Project plans create a framework for measuring project progress and success,” says Yazdani. “Project plans set clear expectations for…stakeholders by outlining exactly what…will [be accomplished] and when it will be delivered.”
Project plans boost engagement and productivity
A well-written project plan clarifies how each individual team member’s contributions play into the larger scope of the project and align with company goals. When employees see how their work directly impacts organizational growth, it generates buy-in and drives engagement , which is critical to a project’s success.
“Project plans provide…teams with purpose and direction,” says Yazdani. “Transparent project plans show team members how their individual tasks and responsibilities contribute to the overall success of the project, encouraging engagement and collaboration.”
How To Write A Project Plan in 6 Steps
Writing a project plan requires, well, planning. Ideally, the seeds for a project plan need to be sowed before internal project sign-off begins. Before that sign-off, conduct capacity planning to estimate the resources you will need and if they’re available for the duration of the project. After all, you want to set your teams up for success with realistic end dates, buffer time to recharge or catch up in case of unexpected delays, and deliver quality work without experiencing burnout .
Based on organizational capacity, you can lay down project timelines and map out scope as well as success metrics, outline tasks, and build a feedback loop into your project plan. Follow these project planning steps to create a winning plan:
1. Establish Project Scope And Metrics
Defining your project scope is essential to protecting your iron, or agile, triangle from crumbling. Too often, projects are hit with scope creep , causing delays, budget overruns, and anxiety.
“Clearly define your project’s scope or overall purpose,” says Yazdani. “Confirm any project parameters or constraints, like budget, resource availability, and timeline,” says Yazdani.
A project purpose statement is a high-level brief that defines the what, who, and why of the project along with how and when the goal will be accomplished. But just as important as defining your project scope and purpose is defining what metrics you’re going to use to track progress.
“Establish how you will measure success,” says Yazdani. “Are there metrics, performance criteria, or quality standards you need to meet?”
Clearly defining what your project is, the project’s overall purpose, and how you’re going to measure success lays the foundation for the rest of your project plan—so make sure you take the time to define each of these elements from the get-go.
2. Identify Key Project Stakeholders
Get clarity on the team members you need to bring the project to life. In other words, identify the key stakeholders of the project.
“List individuals or groups who will be impacted by the project,” says Yazdani.
In addition to identifying who needs to be involved in the project, think about how they’ll need to be involved—and at what level. Use a tool like Confluence to run a virtual session to clarify roles and responsibilities, and find gaps that need to be filled.
Let’s say you’re managing a cross-functional project to launch a new marketing campaign that includes team members from your marketing, design, and sales departments.
When identifying your key stakeholders, you might create different lists based on the responsibility or level of involvement with the project:
Decision-makers (who will need to provide input at each step of the project)
Managers (who will be overseeing employees within their department)
Creative talent (who will be actually creating the project deliverables for the campaign) from each department.
Give your project plan an edge by using a Confluence template like the one below to outline roles and responsibilities.
Define roles, discuss responsibilities, and clarify which tasks fall under each teammate’s purview using this Confluence template.
Getting clarity on who needs to be involved in the project—and how they’re going to be involved—will help guide the rest of the project plan writing process (particularly when it comes to creating and assigning tasks).
3. Outline Deliverables
Now is the time to get granular.
Each project milestone comprises a series of smaller, tangible tasks that your teams need to produce. While a big-picture view keeps teams aligned, you need signposts along the way to guide them on a day-to-day or weekly basis. Create a list of deliverables that will help you achieve the greater vision of the project.
“What will you create, build, design, produce, accomplish or deliver?” says Yazdani. “Clearly outline your project’s concrete and tangible deliverables or outcomes.” Centralize these deliverables in a Trello board with designated cards for each one, like in the example below, so you keep work moving forward.
Each card on a board represents tasks and ideas and you can move cards across lists to show progress.
Defining the concrete items you need your project to deliver will help you reverse-engineer the things that need to happen to bring those items to life—which is a must before moving on to the next step.
4. Develop Actionable Tasks
Task management is an important component of any project plan because they help employees see what exactly they need to accomplish. Drill down those deliverables into actionable tasks to assign to your team.
You can use either Confluence or Jira for different task management needs. If you want to track tasks alongside your work, like action items from a meeting or small team projects, it’s best to use Confluence. But if a project has multiple teams and you need insight into workflows, task history, and reporting, Jira makes it easy.
“Let your deliverables guide the work of the project,” says Yazdani. “Break down each deliverable into smaller and smaller components until you get to an actionable task.” If a major deliverable is a set of content pieces, the smaller actionable tasks would be to create topic ideas, conduct research, and create outlines for each topic.
Once you’ve broken down all of your deliverables into manageable, assignable subtasks, analyze how each of those tasks interacts with each other. That way, you can plan, prioritize, assign, and add deadlines accordingly.
“Highlight any dependencies between tasks, such as tasks that can’t be started until another task is complete,” says Yazdani. “List any resources you will need to accomplish these tasks.”
When a task has multiple assignees, you need to streamline the workflow in your project plan. Say the content pieces you outlined need to be edited or peer-reviewed. A couple of articles may need an interview with a subject matter expert. Lay down a stage-by-stage process of each piece of content and pinpoint when each team member comes into play so you prevent bottlenecks and adjust timeframes.
5. Assign Tasks And Deadlines
Assign tasks to your team and collaborate with employees to set deadlines for each task. When you involve employees in setting workloads and deadlines , you increase ownership and boost the chances of delivering quality work on time.
After all, you want to move projects forward at a steady pace, but you also want to make sure your teams stay motivated and engaged. So, when writing your project plan, make sure to “set realistic and achievable deadlines for completing tasks and deliverables,” says Yazdani. “Highlight dates that are inflexible and factor in task dependencies. Add in milestones or checkpoints to monitor progress and celebrate successes .”
Use Jira and Confluence to create tasks that live alongside your project plan or meeting agendas.
Once you map out all of your tasks and deadlines, you should have a clear picture of how and when your project is going to come together—and the initial writing process is just about finished.
But that doesn’t mean your project plan is complete! There’s one more key step to the process.
6. Share, Gather Feedback, And Adjust The Project Plan As Necessary
While steps 1 through 5 may make up your initial writing process, if you want your project plan to be as strong and complete as it can be, it’s important to share it with your team—and get their input on how they think it can be improved.
“Share the plan with your project team and key stakeholders, gathering feedback to make adjustments and improvements,” says Yazdani.
A tool like Confluence helps knowledge flow freely within teams and departments, leading to better teamwork, higher collaboration, and a shared understanding of priorities. Coworkers can use comments, mentions, notifications, and co-editing capabilities to provide and discuss feedback.
After you gather your team’s feedback —and make any necessary adjustments based on that feedback—you can consider your project plan complete. Hooray!
But as your project progresses, things may change or evolve—so it’s important to stay flexible and make changes and adjustments as needed.
“Expect to update your plan as you gather more information, encounter changing requirements and delays, and learn from feedback and mistakes,” says Yazdani. “By using your project plan to guide your activities and measure progress, you’ll be able to refine and improve your plan as you move through the project, tweaking tasks and deadlines as deliverables are developed.”
Download a template to create your project plan and customize it based on your needs.
Example of a simple project plan
A project plan doesn’t have to be a complicated spreadsheet with multiple tabs and drop-down menus. It’s best to use a project planning tool like Confluence — or at least a project plan template — to make sure you cover every aspect of the project. A simple project plan includes these elements:
Project name, brief summary, and objective.
Project players or team members who will drive the project, along with their roles and responsibilities.
Key outcomes and due dates.
Project elements, ideally divided into must-have, nice-to-have and not-in-scope categories.
Milestones, milestone owners, and a project end date.
Reference material relevant to the project.
Best Practices For Writing Effective Project Plans
A project planning process can quickly turn into a mishmash of goals and tasks that end up in chaos but these best practices can give you a framework to create a project plan that leads to success.
Use Other Project Plans For Inspiration
There’s no need to reinvent the wheel for every new project! Instead, look to other successful project plans for inspiration—and use them as a guide when writing the plan for your project.
“Review templates and plans for similar projects, or for other projects within your organization or industry, to get ideas for structuring and drafting your own plan,” says Yazdani.
To get started, use a Trello project management template and customize it for your project plan by creating unique lists and adding cards under each list.
Build your team’s ideal workflow and mark each stage of the project plan as a list, with cards for each task.
Get Your Team Involved In The Process
You may be in charge of spearheading the project. But that doesn’t mean that you have to—or even that you should—write the project plan alone.
“Collaborate with your project team and key stakeholders on crafting a project plan,” says Yazdani. “Input into the project plan supports buy-in to project goals and encourages continued engagement throughout the project.”
With Confluence , you can organize project details in a centralized space and build a project plan collaboratively.
Don’t Let Perfect Be The Enemy Of The Good
You may be tempted to write (and rewrite) your project plan until you’ve got every detail mapped out perfectly. But spending too much time trying to get everything “perfect” can actually hold up the project. So don’t let perfect be the enemy of the good—and instead of getting caught up in getting everything perfect from the get-go, stay willing and flexible to adjust your project plan as you move forward.
“Focus on outcomes, not plan perfection,” says Yazdani. “While it would be awesome for the first draft of our plan to require no changes while also inspiring our team and ensuring project success, our goal shouldn’t be a perfect plan. Our goal is a plan that allows us to successfully deliver on project goals. Responsiveness to changing needs and a shifting environment is more important than plan perfection.”
Use the right tools to succeed with your project plan
Writing a project plan, especially if you’re new to the process, can feel overwhelming. But now that you know the exact steps to write one, make sure you have the tools you need to create a strong, cohesive plan from the ground up—and watch your project thrive as a result.
Atlassian Together can help with project planning and management with a powerful combination of tools that make work flow across teams.
Guide your team to project success with Atlassian Together’s suite of products.
Advice, stories, and expertise about work life today.
What is a Marketing Plan & How to Write One [+ Examples]
Published: August 07, 2024
One of my favorite ways to break through writer’s block, whether the assignment is a marketing plan or a short story, is simply reading more examples. (I also recommend taking a long walk; you’d be surprised.)
I can’t take you on a walk, but I can give you some examples, some inspiration, and some guidelines to get your creativity humming.
If you don’t know where to start, we’ve curated lists of marketing plans and marketing strategies to help you write a concrete plan that will produce results.
Let’s start by understanding the differences between the two.
Featured Resource: Free Marketing Plan Template
Looking to develop a marketing plan for your business? Click here to download HubSpot's free Marketing Plan Template to get started .
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A marketing plan is a strategic road map that businesses use to organize, execute, and track their marketing strategy over a given period. Marketing plans can include different marketing strategies for various marketing teams across the company, all working toward the same business goals.
The purpose of a marketing plan is to write down strategies in an organized manner. This will help keep you on track and measure the success of your campaigns.
Your marketing plan lays out each campaign‘s mission, buyer personas, budget, tactics, and deliverables. With all this information in one place, you’ll have an easier time staying on track with a campaign, and you can figure out what works and what doesn’t.
To learn more about creating your marketing plan, keep reading or jump to the relevant section:
A marketing plan is a strategic document that outlines marketing objectives, strategies, and tactics.
A business plan is also a strategic document. But this plan covers all aspects of a company's operations, including finance, operations, and more. It can also help your business decide how to distribute resources and make decisions as your business grows.
A marketing plan is a subset of a business plan; it shows how marketing strategies and objectives can support overall business goals. And if you need an assist executing a marketing plan, might I recommend HubSpot’s marketing hub ?
Marketing Strategy vs. Marketing Plan
A marketing strategy is the part of your marketing plan that describes how a business will accomplish a particular goal or mission.
This includes which campaigns, content, channels, and marketing software you’ll use to execute that mission and track its success.
A marketing plan contains one or more marketing strategies. It's the framework from which all your marketing strategies are created, and it helps you connect each strategy to a larger marketing operation and business goal.
For example, suppose your company is launching a new software product, and it wants customers to sign up. The marketing department needs to develop a marketing plan that'll help introduce this product to the industry and drive the desired sign-ups.
The department decides to launch a topical blog, debut a YouTube series to establish expertise, and create new X and Instagram accounts to join the conversation around this subject. All this serves to attract an audience and convert this audience into software users.
To summarize, a business' marketing plan is dedicated to introducing a new software product to the marketplace and driving sign-ups for that product. The business will execute that plan with three marketing strategies : a new industry blog, a YouTube video series, and an X account.
Of course, the business might consider these three things as one giant marketing strategy, each with its own specific content strategies. How granular you want your marketing plan to get is up to you. Nonetheless, every marketing plan goes through a particular set of steps in its creation.
State your business' mission.
Determine the KPIs for this mission.
Identify your buyer personas.
Describe your content initiatives and strategies.
Clearly define your plan's omissions.
Define your marketing budget.
Identify your competition.
Outline your plan's contributors and their responsibilities.
1. State your business' mission.
Your first step in writing a marketing plan is to state your mission. Although this mission is specific to your marketing department, it should serve as your business' main mission statement.
In my experience, you want to be specific, but not too specific. You have plenty of space left in this marketing plan to elaborate on how you'll acquire new customers and accomplish this mission.
For those of you running startups or small businesses, HubSpot’s starter bundle is a great all-in-one solution — it can help you find and win customers, execute content marketing plans, and more.
If your business' mission is “to make booking travel a delightful experience,” your marketing mission might be “to attract an audience of travelers, educate them on the tourism industry, and convert them into users of our bookings platform.”
Need help building your mission statement? Download this guide for examples and templates and write the ideal mission statement.
2. Determine the KPIs for this mission.
Every good marketing plan describes how the department will track its mission‘s progress. To do so, you need to decide on your key performance indicators (KPIs) .
KPIs are individual metrics that measure the various elements of a marketing campaign. These units help you establish short-term goals within your mission and communicate your progress to business leaders.
Let's take our example of a marketing mission from the above step. If part of our mission is “to attract an audience of travelers,” we might track website visits using organic page views. In this case, “organic page views” is one KPI, and we can see our number of page views grow over time.
Also, make sure to check whether your current reporting software facilitates the KPIs you need. Some reporting tools can only measure a set of pre-defined metrics, which can cause massive headaches in particular marketing campaigns.
However, other tools, like HubSpot’s analytics software , can offer full flexibility over the KPIs you wish to track.
You can generate custom reports that reveal average website engagement rates, page visits, email, social media traffic, and more.
These KPIs will come into the conversation again in step 4.
3. Identify your buyer personas.
A buyer persona is a description of who you want to attract. This can include age, sex, location, family size, and job title.
Each buyer persona should directly reflect your business' current and potential customers. All business leaders must agree on your buyer personas.
4. Describe your content initiatives and strategies.
Here‘s where you’ll include the main points of your marketing and content strategy.
Because there‘s a laundry list of content types and channels available today, you must choose wisely and explain how you’ll use your content and channels in this section of your marketing plan.
When I write this section, I like to stipulate:
What types of content I'll create. These might include blog posts, YouTube videos, infographics, and ebooks.
How much I'll create. I typically describe content volume in daily, weekly, monthly, or even quarterly intervals. It all depends on my workflow and the short-term goals for my content.
The goals (and KPIs) I'll use to track each type. KPIs can include organic traffic, social media traffic, email traffic, and referral traffic. Your goals should also include which pages you want to drive that traffic to, such as product pages, blog pages, or landing pages.
The channels on which I'll distribute my content. Popular channels include Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Any paid advertising that will take place on these channels.
5. Clearly define your plan's omissions.
A marketing plan explains the marketing team's focus. It also explains what the marketing team will not focus on.
If there are other aspects of your business that you aren‘t serving in this particular plan, include them in this section. These omissions help to justify your mission, buyer personas, KPIs, and content.
You can’t please everyone in a single marketing campaign, and if your team isn’t on the hook for something, you need to make it known.
In my experience, this section is particularly important for stakeholders to help them understand why certain decisions were made.
6. Define your marketing budget.
Whether it's freelance fees, sponsorships, or a new full-time marketing hire, use these costs to develop a marketing budget and outline each expense in this section of your marketing plan.
You can establish your marketing budget with these 8 free marketing budget templates .
7. Identify your competition.
Part of marketing is knowing your competition. Research the key players in your industry and consider profiling each one.
Keep in mind that not every competitor will pose the same challenges to your business. For example, while one competitor might rank highly on search engines for keywords that you’re also chasing, another competitor might have a heavy footprint on a social network where you plan to launch an account.
Easily track and analyze your competitors with this collection of 10 free competitive analysis templates .
8. Outline your plan's contributors and their responsibilities.
With your marketing plan fully fleshed out, it‘s time to explain who’s doing what.
I don’t like to delve too deeply into my employees’ day-to-day projects, but I know which teams and team leaders are in charge of specific content types, channels, KPIs, and more.
Now that you know why you need to build an effective marketing plan, it’s time to get to work.
Starting a plan from scratch can be overwhelming if you haven't done it before.
That’s why there are many helpful resources that can support your first steps. We’ll share some of the best guides and templates to help you build effective results-driven plans for your marketing strategies.
Ready to make your own marketing plan? Get started with this free template.
The kind of marketing plan you create will depend on your company, your industry, and your business goals. We compiled different samples to suit your needs:
1. Quarterly or Annual Marketing Plans
This marketing plan by Visit Oxnard, a convention and visitors bureau, is packed with information: target markets, key performance indicators, selling points, personas, marketing tactics by channel, and much more.
It also articulates the organization’s strategic plans for the upcoming fiscal year, especially as it grapples with the aftereffects of the pandemic.
Lastly, it has impeccable visual appeal, with color-coded sections and strong branding elements.
It states clear and actionable goals for the coming year.
It includes data and other research that shows how the team made its decisions.
It outlines how the team will measure the plan’s success.
4. Safe Haven Family Shelter
This marketing plan by a nonprofit organization is an excellent example to follow if your plan will be presented to internal stakeholders at all levels of your organization.
It includes SMART marketing goals , deadlines, action steps, long-term objectives, target audiences, core marketing messages , and metrics.
The plan is detailed yet scannable. By the end of it, one can walk away with a strong understanding of the organization’s strategic direction for its upcoming marketing efforts.
It confirms ongoing marketing strategies and objectives while introducing new initiatives.
It uses colors, fonts, and formatting to emphasize key parts.
It closes with long-term goals, key themes, and other overarching topics to set the stage for the future.
5. Wright County Economic Development
“Going viral” isn’t a goal; it’s an outcome.
Be surprising. Subvert expectations.
Be weird and niche if you want to be weird and niche, but establishing a shared cultural understanding might result in a bigger audience.
Pridemore Properties’ Instagram smash hit is unexpected, to say the least. You think you’re getting a home tour that takes your figurative breath away; you get a home tour that takes the agent’s literal breath away.
Verizon’s toe-tapping, hip-shaking Totalmente (aka Total by Verizon, a contractless phone plan) ad debuted during Univision’s Spanish-language broadcast of Super Bowl LVIII. The ad reinvents the 1998 Elvis Crespo song “Suavemente,” an earworm if I’ve ever heard one, replacing the lyrics with Total by Verizon features.
Verizon Value’s CMO and VP of Marketing, Cheryl Gresham, has admitted that she didn’t know much about marketing to a majority-Latinx audience.
In an interview with Campaign Live , she said she didn’t think the idea would have gotten off the ground “if it had just been me and a lot of other people that had a background like myself in that room.”
CampaignLive wrote, “Gresham says the team opted for a creative concept that spoke to all the Latinos in the room — despite Gresham herself not understanding the connection.”
Gresham’s marketing strategy hinged on knowing her audience and, just as importantly, trusting her fellow marketers who knew how to reach that audience.
Strategic Takeaways for Demographic Marketing
Know what you don’t know.
Foster diversity in marketing leadership and staff.
Know your audience.
The catchy tune and the great storytelling certainly don’t hurt.
But more than that, Ogilvy and Verizon dug deep into Latinx culture — more than 25 years deep — to craft an ad that doesn’t feel like it’s just responding to the latest trend. They also tapped Venezuelan American comedian, musician, and producer Fred Armisen to direct the spot.
6. Chappell Roan
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Blog \. Reinvent your workday
Onboarding email sequences for new employees: 15 ready-to-use templates.
Discover the best onboarding email sequences for new hires with ready-to-use templates. Learn how tech startups, big corporations, and SMEs can create engaging 5-email onboarding flows to welcome and integrate new team members seamlessly.
Welcome to a journey through the nuanced world of email onboarding, where the initial messages you send can set the stage for a new team member's experience and long-term engagement. Have you ever considered the lasting impact that your first few emails to a new hire might have? It's about crafting an experience that reflects your company’s culture and values right from the start. This exploration focuses on what to say, when to say it, and how to strategically use email to foster a welcoming and productive work environment.
As we navigate the intricacies of effective email onboarding, we'll uncover how leveraging tools like Gmelius can simplify and personalize the communication process. What if you could see exactly how your onboarding emails are performing and use that data to improve them? By integrating analytics and feedback, we aim to transform these initial interactions into a seamless and insightful experience, ensuring every new hire feels valued and equipped to thrive from day one. Ready to make your email onboarding process a foundation of success and retention in your organization?
Understanding the Impact of First Impressions Through Email
The initial emails a new hire receives are pivotal in shaping their perceptions and expectations of the organization. These communications are not merely informational; they are the first building blocks of the employer-employee relationship. A welcoming and structured email can significantly impact a new hire's psychological engagement and sense of belonging. Organizations with a standardized onboarding process experience 62% greater new hire productivity and 50% greater retention, underscoring the profound impact of first impressions.
The psychological impact of these early interactions cannot be overstated. Effective onboarding can increase employee retention by a staggering 82% , highlighting the importance of getting these initial touches right. When new hires feel valued and welcomed from the outset, they are more likely to engage deeply and stay longer with the company.
Strategic Design of Onboarding Emails
Crafting emails that reflect the company's culture and values is crucial in reinforcing the organization's identity and expectations. These communications should resonate with the new hire's expectations and the organizational ethos they are about to embrace. Florian Bersier , Founder and CEO of Gmelius, emphasizes the importance of integrating the right tools to maintain these email sequences. " One key solution has to be integrated with the company's existing stack, " he notes, suggesting Gmelius as a tool that simplifies creating and maintaining effective onboarding emails through Gmail and Google Workspace.
The timing and frequency of these emails are just as important as their content. They should be scheduled at a pace that allows new hires to absorb information without feeling overwhelmed. Here are some strategic points to consider:
Pre-Day One Email : Send a welcome message right after the job offer is accepted.
First Week Schedule : Outline the first week's activities to reduce first-day anxiety.
Role Clarification : Clearly define role expectations and how they align with the company's goals.
Integrating Data-Driven Insights into Email Onboarding
Utilizing analytics to refine email content and timing can lead to better engagement and productivity. By analyzing how new hires interact with onboarding emails, organizations can tailor their approaches to fit diverse needs, enhancing the overall onboarding experience. Organizations that leverage strong onboarding processes see an improvement in new hire retention by 82% and productivity by over 70% , demonstrating the value of a data-driven approach.
Case examples from leading firms show that tweaking email onboarding sequences based on engagement metrics can dramatically improve open rates and actionable responses. This data-driven strategy ensures that the onboarding process is continuously evolving to meet the needs of new hires effectively.
Maintaining Engagement Beyond the Initial Email
To sustain engagement, follow-up emails are essential. They should not only reiterate key information but also invite new hires to share their feedback and questions. This ongoing dialogue helps HR teams gauge the effectiveness of their onboarding processes and make necessary adjustments. Techniques to enhance this engagement include:
Regular Check-ins : Schedule emails to check in on the new hire's progress and well-being.
Feedback Surveys : Send periodic surveys to gather insights on their onboarding experience.
Resource Sharing : Provide links to further reading or internal resources that might help the new hire in their role.
The role of feedback loops in email onboarding is crucial for continuous improvement. By actively seeking and incorporating feedback, organizations can create a more dynamic and responsive onboarding experience that adapts to the needs of their workforce.
By meticulously crafting each email and strategically planning the sequence, organizations can ensure that their onboarding process not only welcomes new hires but also integrates them smoothly and effectively into the company culture. This approach not only enhances immediate engagement but also sets the stage for long-term retention and productivity, solidifying the foundation of a robust workforce.
Examples of Onboarding Email Sequences for new Employees
Startup Email Sequence
Email 1: welcome to [startup name] .
Subject : Welcome to [Startup Name]! Your Journey Begins Today🚀
Welcome to [Startup Name]! We’re excited to have you on board. Today, you’ll meet your team and get started with the basics.
Here’s your agenda:
10:00 AM: Team Introduction Call
1:00 PM: Product Demo
3:00 PM: Workspace Setup
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Cheers, [Your Name] [Position]
Email 2: Set Up Your Tools
Subject : Time to Get Set Up with Your Tools 🛠️
Hi [Name],
Now that you’ve settled in, let’s get you set up with our tools. Here are the links to download and access everything you need:
Slack: [Link]
Gmelius: [Link]
GitHub: [Link]
Need help? Reply to this email, and we’ll sort it out together.
Best, [Your Name]
Email 3: Company Culture and Values
Subject : Dive into Our Culture 🙌 Hey [Name],
At [Startup Name], our culture is everything. We value collaboration, transparency, and a little bit of fun. Learn more about our values [here]. Join us at our next virtual happy hour this Friday at 4 PM!
Cheers, [Team Culture Lead]
Email 4: First Week Check-In
Subject: How’s Your First Week Going? 🤗
Hope your first few days have been great! We’d love to hear your feedback and answer any questions you might have. Let’s schedule a quick chat to touch base.
Looking forward to catching up! [Manager Name]
Email 5: Product Deep Dive
Subject : Ready for a Deep Dive? 📆 Hello [Name],
Next up is our product deep dive session where you’ll learn about the ins and outs of our flagship features. Join us at 11:00 AM tomorrow.
Let’s get you fully immersed in what makes us awesome! [Product Manager]
Big Corporation Email Sequence
Email 1: welcome to [corp name].
Subject : Welcome to [Corp Name]! Dear [Name],
Welcome aboard! You’re joining a team that’s shaping the future. To get started, please complete your profile on our employee portal [link].
Your first orientation session will be on [date]. Looking forward to working with you!
Best regards, [HR Manager]
Email 2: Meet Your Team
Subject : Introducing Your Team and Department Hello [Name],
It’s time to meet your new team! We’ve arranged a virtual meeting for you to connect with key members of your department. Check your calendar for the invite!
Regards, [Department Head]
Email 3: Benefits and Perks
Subject : Discover Your Benefits Hi [Name],
As part of [Corp Name], you have access to a range of benefits. Check out the benefits portal [link] to learn more about health coverage, retirement plans, and perks!
Let us know if you have any questions. [Benefits Coordinator]
Email 4: Compliance Training
Subject : Mandatory Compliance Training Dear [Name],
To ensure compliance, please complete the following mandatory training modules by [deadline]:
Data Security
Workplace Safety
Anti-Harassment
Access the training portal [here].
Thank you, [Compliance Team]
Email 5: Month-End Check-In
Subject: Your First Month at [Corp Name] Hello [Name],
Congratulations on completing your first month! We’d love to hear your feedback—what’s working well, and what could be improved? Let’s set up a meeting next week.
SME Email Sequence
Email 1: welcome to [sme name].
Subject: Welcome to [SME Name]! We’re Thrilled to Have You Hi [Name],
We’re excited to have you join our team. Your first day will include meeting your colleagues, setting up your workspace, and a brief orientation session.
See you at 9:00 AM! [HR Coordinator]
Email 2: Setting Up Your Workspace
Subject : Time to Get Your Workspace Ready Hey [Name],
Here are the steps to set up your email, access our internal tools, and join the team on Slack. If you run into any issues, contact IT at [email].
Cheers, [IT Support]
Email 3: Role-Specific Training
Subject : Training for Your Role Hi [Name],
Here are your initial training modules to help you get started in your role. Please complete these by the end of the week:
CRM System Training
Product Knowledge
Customer Service Essentials
Let’s touch base once you’ve completed them! [Supervisor]
Email 4: Meet the Team Lunch
Subject : Join Us for Lunch! Hi [Name],
We’d love to officially welcome you with a team lunch. Join us this Friday at 12:00 PM in the break room.
See you there! [Team Lead]
Email 5: First Week Wrap-Up
Subject : Wrapping Up Your First Week Hey [Name],
You’ve made it through your first week—congrats! Let’s connect on Monday to go over your experience, answer any questions, and plan your next steps.
Have a great weekend! [Manager]
Wrapping Up: The Power of First Impressions in Email Onboarding
The initial emails sent to new hires serve as foundational interactions that shape their integration into the company culture. These communications are essential in enhancing psychological engagement, productivity, and retention. By using tools like Gmelius, organizations can streamline and improve these crucial first contacts, ensuring each message is crafted with precision and reflects the company's values and goals. The strategic scheduling and content of these emails are pivotal in reducing new hire anxiety and clarifying role expectations, setting the stage for a successful tenure.
Data-driven insights enable the continuous improvement of the onboarding process, customizing it to meet the diverse needs of incoming staff. This approach not only creates a welcoming atmosphere but also supports a dynamic, responsive onboarding experience that adapts based on employee feedback. As we collaborate to optimize our workdays, remember that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single, well-crafted email. Let's ensure it's a powerful one, sparking curiosity and readiness to engage from the very first click.
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Email overload hampers productivity. Artificial Intelligence offers solutions by auto-categorizing and prioritizing emails, saving time and improving efficiency. AI tools tag emails by content and metadata, aiding in better organization and faster responses.
FREE 12+ Assignment Schedule Samples and Templates in PDF
Printable Assignment Planner Template
7 Easy to Use Student assignment Planner
10+ Assignment Schedule Templates
Preparing a Plan For Writing or Presenting
VIDEO
How To Complete Assignment#1-Lesson Plan Evaluations
Sn Assignment Plans Information
assignment on five year plan✍️📝
Instructional Plans: Year Plan,Unit plan, Lesson Plan (Part-2)| KVS Pedagogy || Kvs prt #kvspedagogy
Creating an assignment using the Assignment Template
Assignment model
COMMENTS
22 Develop an Assignment Plan
22 Develop an Assignment Plan. 22. Develop an Assignment Plan. Now that you have a clear idea of what you need to do, the next step is to break down the assignment into manageable "chunks". The idea of completing a major research paper may seem overwhelming, but if you can divide the task into achievable steps you will be on your way to ...
Assignment Samples & Examples
Assignment Plan (template) (20.04 KB, Word) Download this template and use it when planning your work for an assignment. This template is hyperlinked in the following Resource Page: Useful Tools to Search & Organize Sources. Literature Search Plan (template) (595.84 KB, Word)
Learn How to Write an Assignment Plan and Earn Better Grades!
The Research Assignment Plan Template. As a rule, your assignment plan will always differ, depending on your subject and assignment type, yet the most common assignment plan example will include the following seven paragraphs: Project's Name: start date, end date, completed. Research Objectives: up to 150-300 words. It should speak about the ...
PDF Planning and preparing to write assignments An Academic Support
Introduction to 'Planning and preparing to write assignments'. This handbook on preparing to write assignments is designed to help you develop your strategies for planning. Hopefully, it will help you to get the most out of your experience of writing at University and provide encouragement for managing this type of assessment.
Academic Writing Skills Guide: Planning Your Assignments
Assignment Planning - Guidelines. This template is designed to assist you with the collection and organisation of information into your notes and to plan the structure of your work before you start writing your first draft. The Assignment Planning - Guidelines has four stages: Stage #1 - Collecting Information.
Create an Assignment Plan
24. Create an Assignment Plan. Now that you have a clear idea of what you need to do, the next step is to break down the assignment into manageable "chunks". The idea of completing a major research paper may seem overwhelming, but if you can divide the task into achievable steps you will be on your way to success.
Writing your assignment: Create a plan for your assignment
Here we provide you with a number of example essay plans. Choose the style that suits you best when creating your own. If you are set an assignment task that asks for an essay plan, be sure to check the assignment requirements before creating one. Sample Essay Plan - Simple (pdf) Sample Essay Plan - Linear, structured (pdf)
PDF G PLANNING YOUR ASSIGNMENT
ha. you need to work on. 3. Start your research. Identify rele. ant information resources. Start researchi. g your assignment subject. Stay focused on what you need t. know for your assignment. Keep a list of s. ar. hes y. u have conducted.4. Read. When you have started your research, it is also time to start r.
Planning
Assignment Writing: Planning. This guide will help you plan, research and write your written assignments. Planning is the key to writing a good assignment. Taking the time to plan your assignment will make it easier to understand what you are doing, ensure you are doing everything you are being asked to do, and help you achieve the task quicker.
Study Skills & Learning Strategies: Assignment Planning
Using an Assignment Planner describes how to plan backwards from the assignment deadline. Make a habit of using *USask's Assignment Planner for help with developing completion timelines and finding resources for stages of the writing process. TrentU's 10 Steps to Complete Your Assignments describes the steps in the planning process.
Academic Writing Skills Guide: Structuring Your Assignment
It should give you a step-by-step overview of the assignment. Convert your initial plan into an outline plan listing: the main themes; the focus point of each paragraph ; supporting information and sources you will refer to; your own analysis of the information from your sources; Reorder your plan until you are satisfied that you have a logical ...
Study Support: Assignment Planning
Introduce the subject, the assignment aims and objectives and how you plan to answer the question. Main Body: Presents your main arguments and discussion in a logical order and is supported by evidence. Conclusion: Summary of the main points and ideas that you have made in your assignment and refers back to the assignment aims and objectives
Online study guide
Skill Guide. Welcome to this guide on Planning and Structuring Assignments. If you have difficulty getting started, or organising your ideas, you've come to the right place. This guide addresses key aspects of planning your work, getting started, making sense of assessment criteria, and templates for structures and paragraphs.
Planning Your Assignment
Enter these mini-deadlines into your calendar or planner. See an example. 1. Understand and analyze your assignment. Spend some time to fully understand your assignment before you begin your work. Analyze the assignment question: read it carefully and underline key words, terms, and concepts.
Interpret your assignment
Interpret your assignment. Create a plan. Planning how you approach your writing will make sure that you understand the task, can manage your time, and present a researched, structured and focused assignment. Before you start writing, you need to understand what type of writing you are required to produce. For example, you might be asked to ...
How to Write a Plan for Your Assignment
Create a Skeleton Plan. A good early technique when creating an assignment plan is to begin with a skeleton of what your final essay may contain. This needn't be greatly detailed and you may add or drop things from it as you progress with your research and the essay itself, but starting with a basic outline helps to give you early direction ...
Templates for college and university assignments
Work smarter with higher-ed helpers from our college tools collection. Presentations are on point from start to finish when you start your project using a designer-created template; you'll be sure to catch and keep your professor's attention. Staying on track semester after semester takes work, but that work gets a little easier when you take control of your scheduling, list making, and ...
Understanding Assignments
What this handout is about. The first step in any successful college writing venture is reading the assignment. While this sounds like a simple task, it can be a tough one. This handout will help you unravel your assignment and begin to craft an effective response. Much of the following advice will involve translating typical assignment terms ...
Unit 4 Assignment Plan
Students also viewed. Unit 4 Assignment (Q3) A timetable approach to planning an assignment; AC Assignment 3 - Essay plan; AHE assignment 4 preparing a written assignment
Assignment Plan Template.
Assignment title. Word limi t: 1250. A ssignment Plan: Question 3 unit 4 (health and wellbeing) Due Date: 1 1/02/2022. Subject Access to HE: Diploma Nursing. Date Date Date Date Date Date Date. Time. 18 December 19 Dec 20 December 22 December 28 December 30 December 10 February. 8-10am.
How to write an effective project plan in 6 simple steps
A simple project plan includes these elements: Project name, brief summary, and objective. Project players or team members who will drive the project, along with their roles and responsibilities. Key outcomes and due dates. Project elements, ideally divided into must-have, nice-to-have and not-in-scope categories.
What is a Marketing Plan & How to Write One [+ Examples]
A marketing plan is a strategic document that outlines marketing objectives, strategies, and tactics. A business plan is also a strategic document. But this plan covers all aspects of a company's operations, including finance, operations, and more. It can also help your business decide how to distribute resources and make decisions as your ...
Onboarding Email Sequences for New Employees: 15 Ready-to-Use Templates
Case examples from leading firms show that tweaking email onboarding sequences based on engagement metrics can dramatically improve open rates and actionable responses. This data-driven strategy ensures that the onboarding process is continuously evolving to meet the needs of new hires effectively. Maintaining Engagement Beyond the Initial Email
![5 Steps to Create an Outstanding Marketing Plan [Free Templates]](https://www.hubspot.com/hubfs/marketingplan_20.webp "assignment plan example")
![4 Clever Olympics Marketing Campaigns [+Top Takeaways]](https://knowledge.hubspot.com/hubfs/best-olympic-marketing-campaigns-1-20240809-9542066.webp "assignment plan example")
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
22 Develop an Assignment Plan. 22. Develop an Assignment Plan. Now that you have a clear idea of what you need to do, the next step is to break down the assignment into manageable "chunks". The idea of completing a major research paper may seem overwhelming, but if you can divide the task into achievable steps you will be on your way to ...
Assignment Plan (template) (20.04 KB, Word) Download this template and use it when planning your work for an assignment. This template is hyperlinked in the following Resource Page: Useful Tools to Search & Organize Sources. Literature Search Plan (template) (595.84 KB, Word)
The Research Assignment Plan Template. As a rule, your assignment plan will always differ, depending on your subject and assignment type, yet the most common assignment plan example will include the following seven paragraphs: Project's Name: start date, end date, completed. Research Objectives: up to 150-300 words. It should speak about the ...
Introduction to 'Planning and preparing to write assignments'. This handbook on preparing to write assignments is designed to help you develop your strategies for planning. Hopefully, it will help you to get the most out of your experience of writing at University and provide encouragement for managing this type of assessment.
Assignment Planning - Guidelines. This template is designed to assist you with the collection and organisation of information into your notes and to plan the structure of your work before you start writing your first draft. The Assignment Planning - Guidelines has four stages: Stage #1 - Collecting Information.
24. Create an Assignment Plan. Now that you have a clear idea of what you need to do, the next step is to break down the assignment into manageable "chunks". The idea of completing a major research paper may seem overwhelming, but if you can divide the task into achievable steps you will be on your way to success.
Here we provide you with a number of example essay plans. Choose the style that suits you best when creating your own. If you are set an assignment task that asks for an essay plan, be sure to check the assignment requirements before creating one. Sample Essay Plan - Simple (pdf) Sample Essay Plan - Linear, structured (pdf)
ha. you need to work on. 3. Start your research. Identify rele. ant information resources. Start researchi. g your assignment subject. Stay focused on what you need t. know for your assignment. Keep a list of s. ar. hes y. u have conducted.4. Read. When you have started your research, it is also time to start r.
Assignment Writing: Planning. This guide will help you plan, research and write your written assignments. Planning is the key to writing a good assignment. Taking the time to plan your assignment will make it easier to understand what you are doing, ensure you are doing everything you are being asked to do, and help you achieve the task quicker.
Using an Assignment Planner describes how to plan backwards from the assignment deadline. Make a habit of using *USask's Assignment Planner for help with developing completion timelines and finding resources for stages of the writing process. TrentU's 10 Steps to Complete Your Assignments describes the steps in the planning process.
It should give you a step-by-step overview of the assignment. Convert your initial plan into an outline plan listing: the main themes; the focus point of each paragraph ; supporting information and sources you will refer to; your own analysis of the information from your sources; Reorder your plan until you are satisfied that you have a logical ...
Introduce the subject, the assignment aims and objectives and how you plan to answer the question. Main Body: Presents your main arguments and discussion in a logical order and is supported by evidence. Conclusion: Summary of the main points and ideas that you have made in your assignment and refers back to the assignment aims and objectives
Skill Guide. Welcome to this guide on Planning and Structuring Assignments. If you have difficulty getting started, or organising your ideas, you've come to the right place. This guide addresses key aspects of planning your work, getting started, making sense of assessment criteria, and templates for structures and paragraphs.
Enter these mini-deadlines into your calendar or planner. See an example. 1. Understand and analyze your assignment. Spend some time to fully understand your assignment before you begin your work. Analyze the assignment question: read it carefully and underline key words, terms, and concepts.
Interpret your assignment. Create a plan. Planning how you approach your writing will make sure that you understand the task, can manage your time, and present a researched, structured and focused assignment. Before you start writing, you need to understand what type of writing you are required to produce. For example, you might be asked to ...
Create a Skeleton Plan. A good early technique when creating an assignment plan is to begin with a skeleton of what your final essay may contain. This needn't be greatly detailed and you may add or drop things from it as you progress with your research and the essay itself, but starting with a basic outline helps to give you early direction ...
Work smarter with higher-ed helpers from our college tools collection. Presentations are on point from start to finish when you start your project using a designer-created template; you'll be sure to catch and keep your professor's attention. Staying on track semester after semester takes work, but that work gets a little easier when you take control of your scheduling, list making, and ...
What this handout is about. The first step in any successful college writing venture is reading the assignment. While this sounds like a simple task, it can be a tough one. This handout will help you unravel your assignment and begin to craft an effective response. Much of the following advice will involve translating typical assignment terms ...
Students also viewed. Unit 4 Assignment (Q3) A timetable approach to planning an assignment; AC Assignment 3 - Essay plan; AHE assignment 4 preparing a written assignment
Assignment title. Word limi t: 1250. A ssignment Plan: Question 3 unit 4 (health and wellbeing) Due Date: 1 1/02/2022. Subject Access to HE: Diploma Nursing. Date Date Date Date Date Date Date. Time. 18 December 19 Dec 20 December 22 December 28 December 30 December 10 February. 8-10am.
A simple project plan includes these elements: Project name, brief summary, and objective. Project players or team members who will drive the project, along with their roles and responsibilities. Key outcomes and due dates. Project elements, ideally divided into must-have, nice-to-have and not-in-scope categories.
A marketing plan is a strategic document that outlines marketing objectives, strategies, and tactics. A business plan is also a strategic document. But this plan covers all aspects of a company's operations, including finance, operations, and more. It can also help your business decide how to distribute resources and make decisions as your ...
Case examples from leading firms show that tweaking email onboarding sequences based on engagement metrics can dramatically improve open rates and actionable responses. This data-driven strategy ensures that the onboarding process is continuously evolving to meet the needs of new hires effectively. Maintaining Engagement Beyond the Initial Email