Project Overview
Timeline header information
- Project Name: _________________________________
- Project Manager: _________________________________
- Project Start Date: _____________ End Date: _____________
- Total Duration: _____________
Phase 1
First major phase — initiation, discovery, or planning
- Phase Name: _________________________________
- Start Date: _____________ End Date: _____________
- Milestone: _________________________ | Due: _____________
- Milestone: _________________________ | Due: _____________
- Key Deliverable: _________________________________
- Owner: _____________ Status: [ ] Not Started [ ] In Progress [ ] Done
Phase 2
Second major phase — design, development, or execution
- Phase Name: _________________________________
- Start Date: _____________ End Date: _____________
- Milestone: _________________________ | Due: _____________
- Milestone: _________________________ | Due: _____________
- Key Deliverable: _________________________________
- Owner: _____________ Status: [ ] Not Started [ ] In Progress [ ] Done
Phase 3
Third major phase — testing, review, or iteration
- Phase Name: _________________________________
- Start Date: _____________ End Date: _____________
- Milestone: _________________________ | Due: _____________
- Milestone: _________________________ | Due: _____________
- Key Deliverable: _________________________________
- Owner: _____________ Status: [ ] Not Started [ ] In Progress [ ] Done
Phase 4
Final phase — launch, deployment, or handover
- Phase Name: _________________________________
- Start Date: _____________ End Date: _____________
- Milestone: _________________________ | Due: _____________
- Launch / Go-Live Date: _____________
- Key Deliverable: _________________________________
- Owner: _____________ Status: [ ] Not Started [ ] In Progress [ ] Done
Key Dependencies
External dependencies that could affect the timeline
- Dependency | Depends on | Impact if late | Owner
- _________________ | _______ | _________________ | _______
- _________________ | _______ | _________________ | _______
- _________________ | _______ | _________________ | _______
Timeline Summary
All milestones in date order for quick reference
- Date | Milestone | Owner | Status
- ___________ | _________________________ | _______ | _______
- ___________ | _________________________ | _______ | _______
- ___________ | _________________________ | _______ | _______
- ___________ | _________________________ | _______ | _______
- ___________ | _________________________ | _______ | _______
- Final Completion Date: _____________
Timeline Tips
Build in Buffer Time
Add 10–20% buffer to each phase. Projects without buffer always run late because reality is messier than planning.
Identify the Critical Path
The critical path is the longest sequence of dependent tasks. Any delay on the critical path delays the whole project.
Use Milestones, Not Just Tasks
Milestones are completion checkpoints with binary status: done or not done. They are easier to track than "% complete" on tasks.
Track Dependencies Explicitly
Most timeline slippage comes from untracked dependencies. Explicitly list what each phase depends on — internal and external.