Project Management 101: Time Management

There are many brilliant and creative thinkers who provide essential new ideas for a business, yet struggle with implementation: How do I create an action plan? How do I get my work done in an organized way? What can I do to best manage my time?

For anyone who struggles with time management and organization, the following steps provide an action plan that will help to build subsequent action plans:

1. Lay everything out on the table;

2. Determine what needs to be (a) delivered and what needs to be (b) delivered by you and only you; and

3. Identify your timeframe.

Projects are most easily organized when broken down into smaller parts. Most things in life are projects whether it’s a major business implementation or a personal endeavor. In either case, breaking tasks into manageable components and delegating what you don’t personally need to own will give you forward momentum toward their completion. 

If the divide and conquer approach is still challenging, business professionals can hire an outside consultant who will take them through the exercises from start to finish — and this way, the process is more easily implemented without assistance during the next project. 

Remember, the practice of identification, compartmentalization, and organization is a daily ritual and should be scheduled as such, just like meditation or your morning run would be. Daily commitment leads to increased accountability and success.