The very basics of project management are as follows: a project is a temporary endeavor with a defined beginning and end (usually time-constrained, and often constrained by funding or deliverables) that an organization takes to meet unique goals and objectives, typically to bring about beneficial change or add value.
A detailed project timeline with each deliverable is another important element of the planning stage. Using that timeline, project managers can develop a project communication plan and a schedule of communication with the relevant stakeholders. Risk mitigation is another important aspect of project management that is a part of the planning stage.
Project managers also develop a work breakdown structure (WBS), which clearly visualizes the entire project in different sections for the team management. Learn more about how project goals and objectives are defined. A detailed project timeline with each deliverable is another important element of the planning stage.