Best ways to make a project timeline will be described in this article. A side-by-side comparison of the greatest productivity frameworks will help you identify the ideal productivity technique for you. Now download Not every project enables you to ride alone (much to the chagrin of Jason Derulo). Project timeframes are essential whether you’re joining an existing team, gaining more traction with freelancing work, or assembling your own team.
One issue: How do you do that once more? We’re here to give you the lowdown on creating a project timeline, a few simple templates, and an overview of project management software with a timeline feature, Sumo-ling. You’re about to become much more structured.
Why It Is Important to Create a Project Timeline
A Project Timeline: What Is It?
A project timeline simply indicates which activities are completed when. You will therefore get a chronological view of each phase in the project process, much like the historical timelines you had to do in middle school.
They are simple to grasp, simple to look at, and simple to become addicted to (it happens).
How to Create a Project Timeline
Timelines will display dependencies, bottlenecks, and the project’s overall critical path. You’ll be able to identify which jobs may be finished simultaneously or where the project might run into trouble if things take too long.
How to Make a Project Timeline + 7 Tools In 2024
In this article, you can know about project timeline here are the details below;
Additionally, everyone will be fully aware of their position at every stage of the project, boosting openness. Teams will be better informed, and project managers will be aware of where to deviate from the plan in the event of issues. Project timeframes are a net plus for the entire team from top to bottom.
1. Make an outline
Project charters serve as the basis for a project outline and should include information about the project’s timeline, budget, and scope. Make sure you’re starting out on the right foot; the more clearly you state your intentions now, the less effort you’ll have to do later.
Your project outline is a more detailed version of the charter, but instead of considering the big picture this time, you’re going through each individual jigsaw piece. You’re not “raising material on the blog,” for instance; rather, you’re “adding 10 new blog entries” and “creating original artwork for each item.”
Make a list of all the project’s steps, along with any sub-deliverables for any of the steps in the process. The complexity of your plan will greatly depend on the scope of your project, but each item should be doable. Also check Pixabay alternatives
A work breakdown construction (WBS), which organises the deliverables in a hierarchy, can be created using this information. The primary project will come first, followed by sub-deliverables in a downward spiral. For increasingly complicated projects, the WBS is advised so that you may inspect both the primary tasks’ component pieces and gain an overview of them. This is another project timeline alternative.
2. Evaluate the Time Required for Each Task
You can estimate the time required to finish each work now that you are aware of what has to be done. This can need speaking with team members to acquire a sense of a timeline, depending on the size of your team. Numerous estimation rounds are probably in order, especially as the project advances.
It’s a good idea to estimate how long a task should take and then add a few days as a buffer. You’ve almost finished laying the foundation for the project timeline by writing out your times next to the project assignment!
3. Figure Dependencies and Task Sequence
One of the major benefits of having a project timeline is that these processes naturally flow into one another.
Identifying dependencies entails determining what must be done for the project to move forward. Like you can’t have an informed judgement on the best Star Wars movie without seeing the 1978 Holiday Special (from START TO FINISH! ), you can’t create the creatives for a blog post without determining the theme for that article.
You must identify these dependencies in order to evaluate which jobs can be finished concurrently and maximise efficiency for the task sequences. To identify any staffing or resource risks, this is an excellent opportunity to schedule assignments for specific individuals. In this step, you’ll also determine the critical path, or the amount of time needed to finish the project in the shortest period of time based on the total times of all its tasks.
All that stays to be accomplished is to create a timeline now that you are aware of your dependencies and have given each task its proper due date.
4. Create Your Timeline
To create your project timeline, you can choose from a few timeline-making alternatives. A template (we’ve got two lined up for you below) isn’t a bad idea if you merely want to test if you like the idea enough to keep making them in the future.
Finding project management software with a timeline view is the alternative. Since they were created for this kind of situation, the PM tools are incredibly useful because the initial stages of the process are streamlined. Your project will be well on its way to being managed once you have created an outline for it and assigned tasks with due dates.
So that you don’t have to hassle with any sign-ups or credit cards, let’s start with the templates.
1. Microsoft Excel Template
This four-week timeline is excellent for small projects and is free if you already have Excel. This design may work best for small teams or short-term projects, but the timeline is simple to view and modify. This is another project timeline alternative.
For those who prefer to experiment, here is the project timeline appetiser.
2. Smartsheet
In their library of free templates, Smartsheet offers you a number of options for the timeline you want. You may schedule your planning on a weekly, monthly, or annual basis, and there are even templates for particular industries, like event marketing.
Smartsheet is the best solution for larger projects or for people who require additional options without being obligated.
6 Timeline-friendly Project Management Software
Check out our blog post for more additional details on which tool best meets your needs in order to decide which one is ideal for you.
1. Plutio
This is another project timeline alternative. Plutio is an excellent alternative for freelancers and agencies, especially those that are scaling teams or services because it is comprehensive without being unduly difficult. Despite not being free, it is still reasonably priced, especially with AppSumo’s lifetime offer.
After creating the task cards, you’ll have hourly monitoring, client collaboration, and white-labeling at your fingertips, along with a project timeline.
To easily change the duration of an activity or advance it in the calendar, simply click on it on the timeline. Everything is pretty simple and easy to obtain.
2. Agiled
Agiled is a comprehensive task management solution that is very simple to use. It is really simple to manage and plan your projects. After you have added tasks to the projects, you can quickly construct project timelines and modify them to suit your needs.
With your white-labeled link, you may share the Kanban board and Gantt chart that are included with Agiled with the general public. Also check freshdesk alternatives
Agiled has a tonne of capabilities, such as CRM, proposals, invoicing, estimates, forms, and contracts, in addition to project management, that make running your business from one location simple.
3. Asana
For smaller teams, Asana can be overkill, but if you want all the bells and whistles to future-proof a quickly expanding business, this might be for you. Even if there is a learning curve, you can always find videos and tutorials to help you get up to speed quickly. This is another project timeline alternative.
With the ability to link tasks in the timeline to create dependencies, Asana’s timeline feature is robust. In the event that your projects tend to be more complicated, there is additional filtering and subtask counts for tasks.
4. MeisterTask
You can receive a thorough project timeline perspective using the MeisterTask Business Plan. Although it is quite expensive, if your team is managing several clients and multiple projects, this can be the best solution for you.
This is another project timeline alternative. You may create tasks directly on the timeline as well as drag and drop them from the kanban board. Additionally, you’ll have magnification and filters to concentrate on specific team members or tasks. Here, functionality is everywhere.
If your team is already using MeisterTask, upgrading might be worthwhile.
5. Ora
Ora provides excellent value for your money. With their Professional subscription, which costs $8 per user each month (tax included!) and gives you access to the timeline function and unlimited observers. Ora might work best with freelancers and firms that have a steady flow of clients.
There are a tonne of paid timeline features, such as dependencies and determining how much time each team member should spend working on assignments each day. It has excellent value.
6. Trello Power-Ups
Technically, the free edition of Trello allows you to add a timeline power-up. But if you want to support using the platform, your one power-up slot is clearly insufficient. However, it’s not a bad choice if that’s the major feature you want to test out before choosing Business Class. This is another project timeline alternative.
With all the necessary timeline capabilities and the capability to coordinate timelines amongst Trello boards, Planyway is a fantastic alternative for your Trello board.
You Know What Time It is
You must be serious about creating a timeline if you’ve come this far.
Basically, grabbing a template is the quick fix, and investing in a project management ecosystem is the long-term fix.
Use the tools of your choice to begin the first timeline, which will make your life much simpler. You’ll learn more quickly than you would have otherwise about what is happening, who is working on it, and when projects will be completed.
