Here's how you can effectively manage time during presentations by setting clear goals.

The 1st section of the presentation should list the topics which are to be discussed during the presentation. Structure the content in a manner that it is in a flow, it should not be set in an ad-hoc manner, this can confuse.

Based on the audience of the presentation, you should prepare an elevator pitch. Some like "Mr. Xyz, Today we are going to show you how we are going to achieve the target X. We'll deep dive on steps 1,2,3 we are taking ans share the progress and some key call-outs. We'll end by prioritizing the next set of tracks to elevate the target from X to X+1." With this you would get a fair bit of idea about where you have to focus more. If it's a recurring update, you could focus more on progress updates and stakeholder discussions where any decision closure is needed. If the presentation is about a new business, you can focus more on the plan to go from 0-1 , 1-10 etc. Mock deliver the ppt & set time for different sections using record timing.

Prepare. You can only prepare a little. I just wanted to let you know that preparation should not be limited: evaluate and eliminate the non-essential.

1. Subject matter- understand and clarify the focus of the presentation to ensure you don't diverge 2. Set an agenda- this will help organize your thoughts and what has to be stressed on 3. Breakdown the time- if you have 10 minutes to present, based on the agenda and priority assign the talking time for each slide/topic 4. Buffer time- always go in prepared with an extra minute to cater to the pace and nerves while presenting 5. Q&A- utilize the Q&A session in your favor by introducing points you couldn't cover during the presentation but would like to add

Creating an effective outline & knowing your presentation is important. Break it down into sections and know the length of time you have allocated for each segment. Build in a few minutes for each section in case you get a question or thought and want to expand. Keeping a timer in front of you and knowing when it’s time to move onto the next section will keep you on track!

Use the jigsaw method. Either on Excel or Word, or your preferred program, set out a table and break your presentation into sections (introduction / slide or body 1 / slide 2 etc.) This can also be done on the slides themselves. Print them out or open the all slides layout. Jigsaw them (move them around) until the story flows from start to finish. When presenting, cover the key objectives first, then go into more detail on those the audience deems most relevant. Circling back and around cleverly allows for repetition and results in a longer lasting impact on the brains of listeners.

Effective time management in presentations starts with setting clear goals and prioritizing points accordingly. Start identifying the key information essential to achieving your objectives and allocate adequate time to elaborate on these critical points. Less crucial content should be succinctly summarized or omitted to ensure focus on core messages. By prioritizing points aligned with your goals, you ensure that even if time becomes constrained, the audience receives the most impactful information, reinforcing your message effectively. This strategic approach not only optimizes time usage but also enhances audience understanding and retention of key concepts.

“No plan survives first contact with the enemy.” This saying also holds true for public speaking. In my experience, presentations rarely go exactly as planned. Without enough practice, it’s likely that things will go wrong, and you may struggle to recover gracefully. I’ve been there—there’s nothing more embarrassing than forgetting a key point, making a serious error, or going blank in front of a large audience. To ensure your presentation goes smoothly, I suggest practicing in a comfortable setting to work on pacing, timing, and learning the content. I also strongly suggest conducting a dry run at the actual presentation location to reduce day-of-stress and allow you to make any necessary changes before giving your presentation.

Simplicity always wins, and it is crucial to present with the audience in mind: we have our perspective in mind most of the time, but the audience is what matters.

I’ve done presentations across the globe. In front of audiences both big and small. One of the things I’ve learned over the years was the judicious use of visuals. There is a saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Keep this in mind when adding bullet points and data to your presentation. Ask yourself, “Can I replace these ideas with a single picture?” On the flip side, don’t overcrowd your presentation with pictures. It’s fun to add more visuals, but they can be distracting. Look to find a good balance of words and images on your slides.