Project Schedule Template | Free Word and Excel Templates

A project schedule template is a time management tool as required by almost all organizations to manage their project-related tasks. It is a planning tool which lays out all activities and milestones of a project, whether it is running or a new project. The project management is a highly complicated and difficult assignment, especially for those who are not well aware of the technicalities which are inevitable for the successful execution of project management. A project schedule template comes in handy while executing project management related activities. It can be used for many key assignments, like; planning, initiating, execution and summarizing a project. For management, this tool is highly effective as well as significant because it can share the burden and can be part of a business management system.

Importance of Project Schedule

A project schedule template is a professional document which is a mandatory requirement for the success of a project. To start a project, the management is required to prepare a project schedule, which is the primary requirement. This tool can not only assist management while handling the affairs of project management, it can also save precious time, investment and other problems. However, it is also equally crucial to prepare and execute this project schedule with full honesty and accuracy. This is because the success of these tools is hidden through the right usage. Nevertheless, it comes with a common perspective during planning, installing and maintenance and retrieval schedule activities.

Essentials of a Project Schedule

There are many essentials as far as the development of a project schedule and processes are concerned. These are the most crucial steps which should be taken into account during preparation and execution of a project. As soon as you start working on a project, you will need this schedule to provide instructions, not only to those employees who are working on this project, but also to update higher authorities. These key essentials are given below:

List of Activities

The very first step is to define all the necessary activities and then make a list to accomplish a project. In this regard, a work breakdown structure with a timeline can be prepared to further highlight the scope of a project.

Identification of Dependent Activities

The next essential is equally important and that is the identification of dependencies, and it should be added back to a project schedule. After identification, there comes the planning phrase where these dependencies will start affecting a project either by delaying or adding extra costs. It is a project schedule that keeps management informed about the latest activities that you have done and those which are still left.

Allocation of Activities Wise Resources

Apart from highlighting dependencies, the allocation of resources for all these activities is a crucial step. You will need to make sure that enough funds are available for the required resources. Furthermore, these resources should be assigned to each activity, based on the project nature and type.

Identification of Duration

The identification of resources is a very necessary step, but it also requires a specific duration in which these activities will be completed. The successful completion of each activity is mandatory in order to complete a project on time.

Overview of All Activities

Now, you need to analyze all activities for the last time before starting the scheduling process. This step can give you a chance to again examine the sequence, time and resource allocation and necessary scheduling constraints. Finally, the resource leveling step comes into power, which will ensure project dates are executable and appropriate resources are assigned.