You’re struggling to develop a project timeline. How can you ensure it is followed?

1 Define the scope and objectives

Before you start drafting your timeline, you need to have a clear understanding of the scope and objectives of your project. What are the deliverables, expectations, and success criteria? Who are the key stakeholders and decision-makers? What are the risks and assumptions? Having a well-defined scope and objectives will help you avoid scope creep, prioritize tasks, and align your team and clients.

2 Break down the work

Once you have the scope and objectives, you need to break down the work into manageable and measurable tasks. You can use a work breakdown structure (WBS) to organize the tasks into phases, sub-phases, and deliverables. A WBS helps you identify the dependencies, resources, and responsibilities for each task. You can also use tools like Gantt charts or Kanban boards to visualize the workflow and track the status of each task.

3 Estimate the time and resources

The next step is to estimate the time and resources required for each task. You can use various methods, such as expert judgment, historical data, or bottom-up estimation, to calculate the duration and effort of each task. You should also consider the availability and capacity of your team members, contractors, and vendors. Additionally, you should add some contingency time to account for potential delays, changes, or issues.

4 Set the milestones and deadlines

After you have estimated the time and resources, you need to set the milestones and deadlines for your project. Milestones are significant events or achievements that mark the completion of a phase or deliverable. Deadlines are the dates by which the tasks or milestones must be finished. Setting milestones and deadlines will help you monitor the progress and performance of your project, as well as communicate the expectations and results to your stakeholders.

5 Review and adjust the timeline

The final step is to review and adjust the timeline as needed. You should involve your team members, clients, and other stakeholders in the review process, and get their feedback and approval on the timeline. You should also update the timeline regularly, based on the actual work done, changes in scope, or unforeseen circumstances. By reviewing and adjusting the timeline, you can ensure that it reflects the current reality and expectations of your project.

6 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?