Timeline: features of the tool for implementing tasks
The timeline helps you visually display all the components of a project and monitor their implementation. It is not just a to-do list, but a handy tool to help manage all tasks. In addition, the timeline should include data on project issues. This way you can optimize workflows, track the progress and effectiveness of the team.
When using a timeline, there are a number of things to keep in mind that will help you get your workflow right.
Data relevance. Even the most well-thought-out plans can fail, there is always a place for force majeure or situations that are beyond your control. However, it is important to structure the process in such a way that these factors do not have a significant impact on productivity. Therefore, before setting deadlines for each task, you need to build in a certain amount of time in advance, which will not allow you to move the deadline in case of force majeure or the slightest deviation from the intended plan. For this purpose, it is convenient to use an interactive timeline, which, if necessary, will automatically move the deadline. A popular option is the Gantt chart, which not only independently builds all the processes in case of changes but also notifies the project participants about them.
Organization of proper communication with employees. This is an important point that will avoid many mistakes. Various systems for project management allow interaction with the team, avoiding numerous meetings. Processes in the timeline are available for all team members to view, and everyone can see how the work is progressing and where difficulties have arisen. The manager, in this case, monitors all operations and responds to difficulties in a timely manner. If one of the participants cannot solve the task at hand, his or her problems can be discussed with the entire team and the best way out of the situation can be found.
Critical path definition. The timeline provides a visual representation of how the project is progressing. You can use it to see at what point difficulties arose, with what task, and how this affects overall progress. Based on this information, the manager can make a decision to change the timeline, to rearrange the task. In this case, it is convenient to apply the concept of the critical path, which allows you to highlight the most important tasks and secondary tasks and understand how the failure of one or the other affects the implementation of the project.
There are always tasks that cannot be started before the previous items are implemented. For this purpose, there is a dependency tool in the timeline that reflects the relationships between tasks. When you move one of the dependent items, the deadlines for the others will automatically move as well. Thus you will see the picture of changes and control the process to the smallest detail.
