The output of the workshops is a detailed program plan, which can be captured in MS project or other scheduling
tools that includes dependencies. The schedule is considered to be more reliable due to involving all stakeholders
and parties that play a role in the plan. The program plan shows the life cycle of the program or the considered time
frame and includes action items, due dates, milestones, needed resources and responsibilities. The RACI matrix not
only documents the responsibilities for activities but also involved communication needs between different functions
and program contributors. Furthermore, a list of risks and opportunities, traceable and vetted assumptions (key
communication artifacts, and helpful for on-boarding new team members), and a risk mitigation plan are major
outcomes of the workshop. The Program Management is kept responsible for the spreadsheet including risks,
opportunities, assumptions and open issues and the RACI matrix after the workshop is completed. This helps to
improve and facilitate the program execution.
The resulting program plan is not considered as finalized, but rather as a snapshot in time. The program plan is
considered as an evolving document and a basis for further planning. After an initial workshop a lot of program
teams continue with workshops and iterative planning sessions, for example after a critical milestone is achieved, to
plan the next period in higher depth. Frequent stand-up and cadence meetings are used to check if everyone stands to
his commitment and to keep track of potential risks, assumptions and other identified issues. After a planning
workshop also other workshop formats can be used for adjacent topics, e.g. risk management planning, business
process training or tool training.