I'm hereby leaking the 7 secret rules for successfully SRPing anything (but Umbrages).
This might cost me my job, so show appreciation.
1. Do not plan to SRP something before making the character/ship for it.
2. Start the RP way before you even think about going for a SRP.
3. Never talk to others about your SRP plans, even when they're part of your RP.
4. Brownnose the staff (obviously). If you failed to meet rule #3, your SRP will fail no matter what.
5. Don't be a Zoner or Junker.
6. Don't go for Terrorist ID (unless you successfully brownnosed aerelm).
7. Send Pavel daily unrelated PMs.
tl;dr Do not plan. Just do when the time is ready/you need it to carry on.
This How-To was brought to you by an unbiased (soon) ex-mod.