How do you start a project?

We here at HomemadeAnime, wanted to know how exactly do you go by starting a project? I often just work off the fly, but sometimes I would actually sketch out what I want to do using storyboards. However, when I was in the working world Gant Charts and deadlines were the norm, but also hard to work with, so we ask you how do you work best? Check out the poll for voting and for results.