Are you wondering how to complete a project in a timely manner?

Do you need help laying out the project in a way that’s conducive to getting things done?

Completing a project isn’t all that difficult in the scheme of things.

You work on the project, little by little, until the project is finished.

This process can take place over the course of several weeks, months, or years.

Chances are, you’ve worked on numerous projects throughout your life.

You’ve completed work and school projects.

You’ve even completed personal projects, such as planning a surprise birthday party for your sister, cataloging your book collection, or training for a 5K walk/run event.

However, the real challenge in finishing a project, is completing the project in a timely manner.

So, what’s the secret to finishing a project sooner, rather than later?

It all has to do with planning!

In this post, you’ll find some tips that will help you complete a project in a timely manner.

You can use these tips to help you complete a project at work, home, or school, or anywhere else you’re working on a project.

How to Complete a Project in a Timely Manner

Mark or set a due date in your calendar.

The easiest way to ensure your project will be finished in a timely manner is to set a due date for it.

Projects without due dates have the potential to drag on and on, without any sign or sense of completion.

By setting a due date, you are making a commitment to yourself and your work.

Do you have a personal or work project that’s been lagging for several weeks?

Take the initiative and set a due date.

Write your due date in big bold letters on your wall calendar, paper planner, or add it to your digital calendar.

And what if you already have a due date for a work or school project?

If you haven’t yet done so, take a minute to enter the due date into your calendar, right now.

Break the project into four quarters.

Now that you’ve set a due date for yourself, it’s time to plan your work.

You’ll be dividing your work into four different sections or quarters.

Doing so will allow you to track your project with ease.

What’s more, it will also let you know what you should be working on at any given point in time.

Starting with today’s date and ending with your project’s due date, divide the time between the two dates into four equal quarters.

For example, let’s say you have a project due eight weeks from today.

You’d divide the weeks as follows:

Weeks 1 & 2 = First Quarter

Weeks 3 & 4 = Second Quarter

Weeks 5 & 6 = Third Quarter

Weeks 7 & 8 = Fourth Quarter

List project tasks.

Most likely there are several tasks, items, and to-dos that need to be completed before you finish your project.

What items do you need to work on in order to finish your project?

Begin by listing out the individual tasks for your project. Use a piece of paper, notebook, or word processing document, and list out all the actionable steps you must take in the coming weeks.

You don’t have to worry about the order of tasks just yet. The idea is to write down everything that comes to mind so that you’ve recorded each task. Be sure to use a verb at the beginning of each of your tasks.

For example, let’s say you are going to organize your closet. Your initial task list might look something like the following:

• Fix broken shelf
• Pack up clothing for donation
• Pick up items from closet floor
• Buy hangers
• Remove clothing that no longer fits
• Take clothing to dry cleaner and tailor
• Buy shoe organizer
• Organize scarves

Organize project tasks.

Once you’ve created your task list, it’s time to organize everything in chronologic order. Feel free to add in any items you missed during your first round of list-making.

But, if you’re ever in doubt as to whether you should add an item to your list, go ahead and add it. You can always remove an item in future, if needed.

From our example above, you might organize your task items like this:

• Pick up items from closet floor
• Remove clothing that no longer fits
• Fix broken shelf
• Buy hangers
• Buy shoe organizer
• Organize scarves
• Take clothing to dry cleaner and tailor
• Pack up clothing for donation

Assign tasks to different quarters.

Now, it’s time to take your tasks and assign them to the different quarters of your project.

This step will help you space out your project work in a reasonable amount of time.

You’ll want to give yourself a mini-deadline for each quarter. Why is this the case?

Doing so will help you accomplish each of your individual tasks in a timely manner.

What’s more, the process ensures your entire project stays on track.

For instance, using our example above, you might come up with the following quarter-based tasks:

First Quarter (Weeks 1 & 2)

• Pick up items from closet floor
• Remove clothing that no longer fits

Second Quarter (Weeks 3 & 4)

• Fix broken shelf
• Buy hangers

Third Quarter (Weeks 5 & 6)

• Buy shoe organizer
• Organize scarves

Fourth Quarter (Weeks 7 & 8)

• Take clothing to dry cleaner and tailor
• Pack up clothing for donation

Follow your plan and do your work.

By now, you should have created a thorough and detailed plan for your project.

Indeed, there’s nothing left to do but to roll up your sleeves…and get to work!

Immediately complete each task, one by one, as outlined in your plan.

Finally, cross-off finished tasks from your list and review your progress on a regular basis, be it daily or weekly, to ensure your project stays on track.

How about you? What do you find is the most difficult thing about completing a project in a timely manner? Leave a comment below and join in the conversation!