My first REAL project

SoulAssassin

Good day Members
I'm a newbie, and have been using PHP for about a year now, and so far only used small peaces of scripts. I am starting with a big project now, and want to things the right way from the start. This system will have different kinds of logins, and permissions, with users being able to change person info. I will have companies and customers added, which in return will add data (files and document number) into the system. These documents will be booked out, tracked, and booked back in.

All this obviously with much more detail and functionality as mentioned above.

Does anyone have any suggestions where I should start , or a project plan template how to plan this whole thing, so I don't run into problems halfway through?

I will obviously share the whole project with the community.

NogDog

Start with the database design, then when you have a solid data schema you can begin designing your application to work with that database. This is almost always more effective and less time-consuming than trying to design a database to work with your application.

ahundiak

First I would ask myself the question: "Why am I building a new content management system when there are already a number of fine systems out there that I could customize?" At the very least I would download two or three of the existing systems just to see how they approach the various problems.
Next I would probably try to decide on a what framework to use. Again there are a number of existing ones or I might decide to roll my own. The frame work will give you an idea of how the pieces will fit together.
Then I would try to nail down the object design. I know I will have users, persons, companies etc. Try to figure out what the main objects will be and how they interact.
And then like NogDog suggests, I'd try to design a database schema from which my model objects would be created. All test driven of course.
From there you would then start on your controllers and views and templates.