Project management templates and guides
Twenty-six free templates, arranged in the order a project needs them: initiate, plan, run, close. Each one is written for UK teams and real projects, and most include a worked example. Below them you'll find the decision frameworks (RACI, MoSCoW, RICE) and our guides to PMO roles and careers. New to the job? Start with the three most-read pages.
25 templates 8 frameworks 11 career guides 4 guides 2 opinion pieces 1 article
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The most-read pages in this topic over the last 90 days.
Most readProject folder structureA ready-made folder tree for every project, so documents land in the same place every time. Most readPMO roles and responsibilitiesWho does what in a project, programme or portfolio office, and how the roles fit together. Most readProject on a pageScope, milestones, risks and status on one sheet for sponsors who won't read more.
Initiate
8Win approval and agree what the project is, and isn't.
Project charterAuthorises the project and names the sponsor, objectives and limits.Word · ExcelProject initiation document (PID)The full baseline: scope, approach, governance, risks and plan.WordBusiness caseCosts, benefits and options, set out so a board can say yes or no.Word · ExcelProject briefA one-page brief to agree the goal before anyone writes a PID.WordProject proposalPitch a project internally or to a client before it's approved.Word · ExcelStatement of work (SOW)Deliverables, timescales and acceptance terms for a supplier.WordScope statementWhat's in and what's out, written down before it's argued about.WordStakeholder analysisMap influence and interest, then plan how you'll engage each group.Excel · Word
Plan
7Turn the approved scope into work, dates and owners.
Project planTasks, owners, dates and dependencies in one working plan.Excel · WordWork breakdown structure (WBS)Break the deliverables down until every piece has an owner.Excel · WordGantt chartAn Excel Gantt that redraws its bars as your dates change.Excel · WordRoadmapThe quarter-by-quarter view for sponsors and steering groups.Excel · WordCommunication planWho hears what, when, and through which channel.Word · ExcelProject on a pageScope, milestones, risks and status on a single sheet.DownloadProject folder structureA standard folder tree so every project files things the same way.Download
Run and control
8Keep the project on track and keep a record of why things changed.
RAID logRisks, assumptions, issues and dependencies in one tracker.Excel · WordRisk registerScore each risk, name an owner and track the response.Excel · WordChange request formCapture, assess and approve changes to scope, time or cost.Word · ExcelStatus reportA weekly RAG report that sponsors will actually read.Word · ExcelAction logActions from meetings, with owners and due dates.Excel · WordDecision logA record of what was decided, by whom and why.Excel · WordMeeting minutesAgenda, minutes and action items for recurring meetings.Word · ExcelTimesheetWeekly and monthly timesheets that total the hours for you.Excel
Close
2Hand over cleanly and keep what the team learned.
Decide and prioritise
8Frameworks for who decides and what gets done first.
RACI matrixResponsible, accountable, consulted, informed. With free templates.Guide + templatesRASCI matrixRACI with an extra role for people who support the work.GuideCARS matrixA simpler alternative to RACI for smaller teams.GuideDACI frameworkDriver, approver, contributors, informed: for group decisions.GuideMoSCoW methodMust, should, could, won't. Agree what's essential.GuideRICE scoringReach, impact, confidence and effort, scored and ranked.GuideICE scoringImpact, confidence, ease. A quicker cousin of RICE.GuidePrioritisation scorecardRank competing projects by the money each one is worth.Guide
Roles and careers
12Job descriptions, interview questions and getting started in project work.
How to get into project managementRoutes in, qualifications worth having and first roles to target.GuidePMO roles and responsibilitiesWho does what in a project, programme or portfolio office.GuideProject manager job descriptionDuties, skills and experience for a PM role.TemplateJunior project manager job descriptionAn entry-level PM role, ready to adapt.TemplateProgramme manager job descriptionFor roles running several related projects.TemplatePortfolio manager job descriptionFor roles that balance the whole portfolio.TemplatePMO analyst job descriptionReporting, tracking and governance support.TemplatePMO coordinator job descriptionAdmin and coordination across the PMO.TemplateBusiness analyst job descriptionRequirements, process mapping and stakeholder work.TemplateChange manager job descriptionLeading the people side of organisational change.TemplateAgile business analyst interview questionsQuestions to ask, and to prepare for.GuideWhat is project portfolio management?How PPM decides which projects get funded.Guide
Ideas and opinion
5Longer reads on how projects really work.
The philosophy of project managementWhat project management is for, beyond the paperwork.EssayScrum: epic vs storyHow epics and stories differ, and how they fit together.GuideManaging risk out of your projectsPractical ways to reduce risk before it becomes an issue.GuideTime management skillsHabits that protect time for the work that matters.GuideManagement tip: assume nothingA short lesson in checking what everyone thinks is agreed.Essay
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