Discovery takes place at the start of the project. Itis typically conducted in a facilitated session or workshop environment to find out what the requirements of the poject is and stimulate creative thinking, to create novel or innovative solutions to a problem, and to introduce "controlled chaos" into the thought process. It is the most widely used technique to cultivate ideas.

Project Planning Techniques are often difficult to do well. That's because new project managers often make the mistake of trying to apply every technique in their project management textbook. They wind up burying small projects under too many meetings and too much paperwork.

Design methodology refers to the development of a system or method for a unique situation. Today, the term is most often applied to technological fields in reference to web design, software or information systems design.

Describing project scope, alternatives, and feasibility. Divide the project into tasks. Estimating resources and creating a resource plan. Developing a preliminary schedule. Developing a communication plan. Determining project standards and procedures. Identifying and assessing risk. Creating a preliminary budget.