How to Use ClickUp for Project Plans

ClickUp makes it easy to move beyond static Google Docs project plan templates and build a living, collaborative project space your whole team can update in real time.

Below you will learn, step by step, how to turn a simple project idea into a clear, trackable plan using ClickUp views, docs, tasks, and templates inspired by the approaches outlined in the original Google Docs project plan guide.

Why Plan Projects in ClickUp Instead of Google Docs

Traditional Google Docs project plan templates are great for outlining ideas, but they quickly become hard to maintain. ClickUp turns each part of your plan into actionable work.

Key advantages include:

Centralized tasks, documents, and timelines in one workspace
Real-time collaboration with comments and assignments
Flexible views like List, Board, and Gantt for different stakeholders
Re-usable templates to standardize how projects start and run

By mirroring familiar sections from Google Docs templates inside ClickUp, you get structure and execution in the same place.

Step 1: Set Up a Project Space in ClickUp

Start by creating a dedicated location in ClickUp for your project. This replaces the top-level structure you would normally create with folders of Google Docs and spreadsheets.

Create a new Space or use an existing team Space.
Add a Folder for your project or client.
Create a List inside that Folder to store all project tasks.

This hierarchy lets you mirror all the sections from your legacy Google Docs project plan in one organized List.

Step 2: Build a Project Overview Doc in ClickUp

Most Google Docs project plan templates begin with an introduction, goals, and scope. Recreate this as a living document directly inside ClickUp.

Open your project List.
Click + Doc to create a new ClickUp Doc.
Name it something like Project Plan & Overview.

Inside the Doc, add core sections:

Project summary: One or two paragraphs that explain what the project will deliver.
Objectives and success metrics: Bullet points describing what success looks like.
Scope: What is included and excluded to prevent scope creep.
Stakeholders: Who sponsors, owns, and approves the work.

This Doc becomes the central reference point you can link to from tasks and views across ClickUp.

Step 3: Turn Plan Sections into Tasks in ClickUp

Instead of leaving your plan locked in text, convert each part of your Google Docs style outline into actionable tasks inside ClickUp.

Review your ClickUp Doc and identify work sections such as research, design, development, and testing.
For each section, create a new task in your project List.
Add subtasks for smaller action items under each main task.

For every task and subtask, fill in:

Assignee: Who is responsible.
Due date: When the work should be completed.
Description: Links back to the project Doc and any notes.
Custom fields (optional): Priority, effort estimate, or phase.

This structure gives your team a clear to-do list that aligns directly with your written project plan.

Step 4: Organize Work with ClickUp Views

In a Google Docs project plan, milestones and timelines are often described in paragraphs or static tables. ClickUp provides interactive views that make the same information easier to understand and maintain.

Use ClickUp List View for Task Details

List view shows tasks like a spreadsheet, perfect for keeping track of owners, dates, and status.

Add columns for custom fields such as phase, priority, and risk level.
Sort by due date to see what is coming next.
Filter by assignee to review individual workloads.

Use ClickUp Board View for Workflow Stages

Board view lets you group tasks by status or stage in a Kanban-style layout.

Create statuses that match your project plan phases, such as Planned, In Progress, Review, and Done.
Drag tasks across the board as they move forward.

This replaces the manual status updates you may have tracked in a Google Docs table.

Use ClickUp Gantt View for Timelines

A Gantt chart brings your written schedule to life.

Open the project List and add a Gantt view.
Set start and due dates on tasks so they appear on the timeline.
Link tasks with dependencies to show what must be finished before the next step begins.

This view makes it far easier to track project milestones than static charts in Google Docs.

Step 5: Capture Risks and Issues Within ClickUp

Many Google Docs project plan templates include a risk or issue log. You can manage the same information as structured tasks in ClickUp.

Create a dedicated List in the same Folder called Risks & Issues.
Add tasks for each risk, with fields such as probability, impact, and owner.
Use custom fields or tags to distinguish risks (potential problems) from active issues.

Now you can filter, sort, and assign risks in the same workspace, instead of editing long tables in Google Docs.

Step 6: Standardize Projects with ClickUp Templates

Once you have built a solid structure that reflects your favorite Google Docs project plan template, save time by turning it into a reusable template in ClickUp.

Open the project Folder or List that contains your ideal structure.
Click the three-dot menu and choose Template options.
Save the current layout, views, custom fields, and tasks as a new template.

Next time you start a project, simply apply the template. The overview Doc, Lists, and views will all be ready to customize, instead of recreating a new Google Doc from scratch.

Step 7: Share and Collaborate in ClickUp

Collaboration is where ClickUp outperforms Google Docs project plan templates, because conversation stays close to the work.

Use task comments to discuss details without changing the plan text.
Assign comments to turn feedback into follow-up actions.
Share the project Doc with viewers or editors based on their role.
Use mentions to notify stakeholders about changes in scope or timing.

This keeps the project plan clear while ensuring every team member knows what to do next.

Connect Your ClickUp Process with Other Resources

If you still rely on Google Docs templates for inspiration, you can review detailed examples in the original guide to project plan templates for Google Docs and then mirror their structure in your workspace.

To improve your overall project management and documentation strategy beyond this ClickUp workflow, you can also explore expert resources at Consultevo, which covers process optimization and digital implementation.

Putting Your ClickUp Project Plan into Action

By translating each section of a Google Docs project plan into Docs, tasks, and views inside ClickUp, you gain a dynamic system, not just a static document.

Use the steps in this guide to:

Set up a dedicated project space
Document scope and goals in a ClickUp Doc
Convert plan sections into tasks and subtasks
Visualize timelines and workloads with List, Board, and Gantt views
Track risks and issues directly alongside the work
Create templates so every new project starts with a proven structure

Once your plan lives inside ClickUp, you can keep it updated effortlessly as your project evolves, ensuring that stakeholders always see accurate, actionable information instead of outdated static files.

Need Help With ClickUp?

If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your ClickUp workspace, work with ConsultEvo — trusted ClickUp Solution Partners.

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