How to Create a Timeline Chart

A timeline helps visualize a project and establish a realistic completion date.

A timeline chart is a means by which you can cut down on or completely avoid project delays by establishing a pragmatic and precise timeline for each step. The timeline covers all major phases of the project, as well as covering the key materials or individuals necessary to make it viable. When creating the timeline chart, it is important to include doable objectives and goals and a practical time frame.

Things You'll Need

• Note cards
• Large pieces of graph paper
• Ruler
• Colored pens or pencils

Instructions

1. 

   Using note cards to organize your steps simplifies the process.

   Determine the number of days it will take to complete each project step. On separate note cards write down the information regarding each step and the time it will take to complete. Place the cards in their proper order.

2. 

   Placing the project steps in a column begins the timeline.

   Using your graph paper, create a column list on the left hand side of the project steps in their proper order from beginning to end. Include the step and the amount of time it will take to complete. If necessary, tape a second sheet of graph paper to the first one to create more room.

3. 

   Knowing the total number of days the project will entail is vital.

   Make a note of the total number of days the project will cover, including weekends and holidays. Depending upon the nature of the project, you will need to make sure outside vendors or contractors have given you reliable information regarding the time they will require to supply materials or complete tasks.

4. 

   Adding dates is the next step in creating the timeline.

   List the dates or days encompassing the project horizontally across the top of the graph paper. For example, if your project will take 30 days to complete, including weekends and any holidays, list either the actual dates -- 3/27 or 11/19 -- or number the columns 1 through 30 so there is one column for each day. Armed with your graph paper, you are now ready to begin creating the timeline chart.

5. 

   Tasks or steps that can be done simultaneously can save you time.

   Decide if any tasks can be completed simultaneously. This is important to determine because if there are parts of the project that can be completed at the same time, it will allow you to compress the timeline and ultimately finish the project earlier than originally estimated. You also will need to decide if you or others will have to work weekends to complete the project, since a step may require seven workdays and you'll need to decide if that means Monday through Friday plus the following Monday and Tuesday or Monday through Sunday.

6. Assuming, for example, the job begins on Monday, place an M in the first square of the first week and circle it. If the task is to be complete in seven days, draw a line to the square representing Tuesday and place a T there with a circle around it. You may wish to use different colored pencils or pens for each different task. Continue putting in starting dates and completion dates for each step or task until you have entered all of them. There is your timeline.

Tips & Warnings

• If you will need a certain item for your project on a certain day and it will take a week for the item to be delivered, make a note to order the item on the day in the previous week.

References

• Geography Matters: How Do I Make a Timeline?

Resources

• Ask the Builder: Project Timeline