by Lou Belcher

Created on: February 17, 2009

Techniques for timely project completion.

Meeting deadlines at work is one of the attributes that will win you praise from your supervisor. It not only makes you look good, but it makes him/her look good as well. Here are some techniques for timely project completion:

1. When you receive a project assignment, the first thing to do to ensure timely project completion is to analyze what needs to be done. Make a list of all the component tasks involved in completion of the project. Put at the top of the list, extra time to organize the project and to contact people who will be needed to complete it.

2. Start at the top of the list and write down an estimate of how long it will take to complete each component. With each estimate, give yourself a little leeway to ensure enough time in case something goes wrong.

3. Plot the deadlines for each component on a calendar. Keep a copy of the calendar in the front of the project file, so you can check it each day to ensure you are on track and are doing what needs to be done when it needs to be done.

4. Contact everyone who will be involved in the project and enlist their help; or if you have the authority to assign them their part, make them aware of their assignments. Be sure to make each person on the team aware of the deadlines for their part of the project.

5. If you are solely responsible for the project, begin completing project component tasks in sequential order. If you are working through a team for completion of the project, begin monitoring their progress. Keep in touch with each member of the team to assure them that you are there to help them if needed.

6. One quarter of the way through the list, assess the progress of the project to ensure the project is on track for completion. Also, make an assessment of the component task list to ensure that you have included all the necessary tasks. Now that you are a bit into the project, you may realize that some revision is needed. Make necessary revisions.

7. Repeat your assessment of progress and of the component list at the halfway mark and at the three-quarter mark. Make necessary revisions each time. Keep your supervisor informed of your progress and especially make your supervisor aware of any need for time-line changes.

By keeping good notes of the progress of the project and consulting with those who are responsible for individual components of the project, you will ensure timely project completion.

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