Did you know that 70% of businesses have suffered at least one project failure in the last year?
This is a shocking statistic because through good project timeline management, there’s no reason any project should fall short of its goals. Making a timeline where everybody knows their roles and responsibilities can help guarantee that your project doesn’t go beyond its intended deadline or budget.
If you’re planning a new company project, it pays to take a fresh look at good timeline building and time management practices. Fortunately, we’ve put together this informative refresher guide.
Read on for everything you need to know about creating a good timeline for project management.
Why Create a Project Timeline?
One of the most important skills that companies look for in new candidates is time management. Missed deadlines can throw entire teams (and organizations) off track and affect long-term schedules.
A well-structured project timetable provides more than just a rough outline. It will also:
- Bring direction and leadership to your project
- assign individual roles and responsibilities
- Outline milestones and overall targets
- Account for risk and contingency
- Link the project to broader company goals
Finally, a project timetable makes overall project management easier and more efficient. However, you must match the timetable framework to the scope of the project. That’s where project timeline templates come into play.
Types of Timelines
There are many types of project schedules, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Some project management timelines focus solely on the final outcome, while others emphasize individual tasks.
It is up to you, as the project manager, to determine which type of project timeline best fits your needs. Here are some of the most common types of project management timelines:
- Chronological linear timeline
- Gantt chart
- Bar chart
- Roadmap timeline
Whatever format you choose, your timeline should include a list of tasks that need to be completed, start dates and deadlines, and an outline of the relationship between tasks.
How to Create a Project Timeline
Creating a realistic and efficient timetable takes planning. If you set an unreasonable deadline, team members will get demotivated, and their performance will suffer.
Similarly, if your schedule is too long, your staff could become complacent, which will also reduce your production. The optimal timetable provides direction while remaining flexible should changes occur.
Learning to prioritize your projects will help you create effective, dependent timelines. Look here for more information on prioritizing tasks and projects.
Your Next Project Timeline
Creating a solid project timeline for your next project will give you the structure and direction you need to hit your goals. They help you delegate tasks, track progress, and enhance project management.
Did you find this article helpful? We aim to educate and inform. Be sure to check out the rest of our blog posts for everything you need to know about project management, business, lifestyle, and more.
