How do you document a product development timeline?

1 Choose a tool

When selecting a tool to document a product development timeline, there are many options to choose from, ranging from spreadsheets and templates to specialized software and platforms. It's important to consider factors such as ease of use, integration with other tools, flexibility, customization needs, budget, and time constraints. Popular tools for product development timelines include Asana, Trello, GanttPRO, Wrike, and Smartsheet.

2 Define your scope

The next step in your product development project is to define the scope. This means understanding what you are building, why it is important, who it is for, and how you will measure its success. You can use various methods and frameworks to define your scope, such as user research and personas, problem statement and value proposition, user stories and scenarios, product roadmap and strategy, and key performance indicators (KPIs) and success criteria. Defining the scope of your project will help you align your team and stakeholders on the product vision and goals, as well as identify the main features and functionalities of your product.

3 Break down your work

The third step is to break down your work into manageable and measurable units. This means identifying the major phases, milestones, tasks, and subtasks of your product development process, as well as their dependencies and priorities. To do this, you can use different models and frameworks such as product lifecycle stages, agile methodologies, design thinking process, and user journey map. Breaking down your work will assist in estimating the time and resources required for each unit and assigning roles and responsibilities to your team members.

4 Create your timeline

The fourth step is to create your timeline based on the units of work you have defined. This involves plotting the start and end dates, durations, and dependencies of each phase, milestone, task, and subtask on a visual chart or diagram. You can utilize different formats and styles to create your timeline, such as Gantt charts, calendars, timelines, or Kanban boards. Creating your timeline will aid in visualizing the big picture and details of your product development project, as well as communicating your plan and expectations to your team and stakeholders.

5 Update your timeline

The fifth step is to update your timeline regularly and consistently, which means tracking and recording the actual progress, performance, and outcomes of your product development project, as well as adjusting the timeline to reflect any changes, delays, or issues. To do this, you can use status reports and dashboards, feedback and reviews, meetings and check-ins, or notifications and alerts. By updating your timeline in this way, you will be able to monitor and evaluate your product development project, as well as identify and resolve any potential problems or risks that may affect your product quality and delivery.

6 Share your timeline

The sixth and final step is to share your timeline with your team, stakeholders, and clients. This requires making your timeline accessible, understandable, and engaging for your audience. You can do this by selecting the right format and level of detail for your audience, utilizing clear and consistent labels, colors, icons, and symbols to convey information and meaning, highlighting the key milestones, achievements, and challenges of your project, telling a story that showcases your product vision, value, and impact, as well as asking questions that encourage your audience to share their thoughts. Sharing your timeline will help you build trust and collaboration with your team, stakeholders, and clients while also gathering valuable insights and feedback for product improvement and innovation.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?