Boat Chart Work Plan -�Guidance and Template

Capability Building

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 Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License - �you may use and share this file, but please attribute it to thepsc.co.uk

 Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License - �you may use and share this file, but please attribute it to thepsc.co.uk

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Boat Chart work plan

Template

 Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License - �you may use and share this file, but please attribute it to thepsc.co.uk

How to use a Boat Chart work plan (from our FEP & PSAT programmes)

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What is this tool?

A Boat Chart is a very simple style of work plan showing end products, key activities and meetings, and the overall timing of each project phase. The name ‘Boat Chart’ comes from the way the chevrons look like a line of boats following each other.

Tips for work planning

• Keep it simple: The purpose is to help the team achieve the project objectives on-time and in-full (running the work plan is not an objective in itself)
• Remember to use your issue tree and prioritisation matrix to identify and select the workstreams which go into your work plan
• It’s often easiest to start filling out the Boat Chart from the bottom right
• The work plan often ends up being used primarily as a tool for communicating with stakeholders – so make sure it is easily understandable (avoid jargon and acronyms) and fits on a single page

When to use this tool?�It is useful for projects involving complex problems without clear solutions, where the detailed path of the project is not evident at the outset (e.g., decision-making, option generation, reviews)

Find more tools, templates and videos at:

thepsc.co.uk/capability-building/

 Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License - �you may use and share this file, but please attribute it to thepsc.co.uk