Planning Your Projects
Using your Project Planner Sheet
Step 1
Make a list of everything that needs to be done in the order that it should be done. Think about how you will complete the Component and write it down under the Component title. Make the list as detailed as you need it to be. ( If you need more room, use a second planner.)
Example: The project might be a 5-Page essay in English class. The components might include:
Choose topic
Find sources (ex., books, articles, etc.)
Read sources and take notes
Create essay outline
Write first draft
Go to tutoring with first draft
Proofread and make changes
Turn the essay into the instructor 24 hours before it is due
Think about how you will complete the Component and write that down under the Component title.
Example: Component 3: Read the articles. Read the articles & look over my notes. Write down ideas in outline form for the essay while looking at my notes.
Step 2
Estimate how much time each item on the list will take to complete. Give yourself extra time in the event that other things interfere with your allotted time.
If you are unsure, ask your instructor, a tutor, or someone who already successfully completed the class.
Step 3
Working back from your deadline (when the assignment needs to be turned in) and using your time management, assign days to do each of the items and when they will be completed based on the estimated time from Step 2.
Decide when you will begin the Component and put that into the Start Date column.
Using the estimated time, determine when the Component needs to be completed and put that into the Due Date column.
Some items probably will be completed on the same day as other items. Others might take a few days to complete.
NOTE: It is helpful to plan on completing assignments at least 24 hours before they are to be turned in if possible, which gives you extra time in the event things happen like your internet crashing.
Step 4
When you complete the project planner sheet, put the start and due dates for the components into your monthly calendars.
Step 5
Work the steps!
Need help?
Goblin Tools
This program was shared with us by several students.
It breaks down projects into smaller tasks, estimates how long the tasks might take, and more.
The Magic ToDo tab takes you to this page that breaks down your projects into smaller tasks.
You enter your project into the "Add new item.." line and click the plus sign in the blue square. This adds your item on the list below. The example shown is "study for test."
Then you click on the blue "magic wand" to the right of the project, which gives you a list of tasks that might need to be part of your task lists to complete your project.
You can change the number of tasks in the project by clicking on the chili peppers.
This is the task list for studying for test. Each task also can be broken down into smaller tasks by clicking on the blue wand to the right of the task.
Other options available are:
For task management
Estimator: Just tell me how long this is probably gonna take
Compiler: Compile my braindump into a list of tasks
For writing
Formalizer: Turn spicy thoughts into classy ones, or vice versa
The Judge: Am I misreading the tone of this?
Cooking
The Chef: What am I having for lunch?
Watch the video below for more information about Project Planning - Task Management
Pierpont's Task Management Video
Below are PDF options of transcripts of the video above Task Management
Table Version
Task Management Video Transcript Table.pdfStory Version
Task Management Video Transcript Story Form.pdf