Time Management Tools For When You're Up Against A Deadline.

Who hasn't run out of time at some point? A job or project not completed, a report lying unfinished? If you are up against a deadline, here are some time management tools and techniqiues to help you finish on time, and keep your customer happy.

# Spend a little time planning what really needs to be done. Cut out the unnecessary as you can always go back later if you have time.

# Think about lead in times, and start those with a longer timescale early - particularly if other elements of the project will be dependent upon its completion.

# Decide what is absolutely critical and focus your attention there.
# Prioritize all your tasks - write your to do list in order of priority and put it somewhere visible. Follow the order.

# Very few things are certain in life, so when making decisions go with the best decision based on the current facts rather than waiting for certain answers. Do some assumption busting to gauge the risk, and then run with it. Do not revisit the decision unless latter circumstances suggest you have made a mistake.

# Follow the 80/20 rule - aim for 20% of everything which is left, as it will bring you 80% of the rewards. It's too late for perfection.

# Delegate, delegate, delegate! Now is not the time to shy away from asking!

# Find a place to put everything - it is much easier to marshal something into a coherent whole if you can see all the pieces.

# Follow good time management practices - stop the interruptions. Shut the door, go elsewhere, switch off the phone, e mail and internet, and focus!

# Focus on one task at a time. Some people find it helpful to have 2 or 3 tasks on the go at the same time, and to switch their attention between them each time they take a break. It allows for subconscious processing while you focus on something different, and brings a fresh perspective so reducing tiredness and boredom.

# Concentrate for 40 minutes, then take a break - you will come back fresher, and will continue at a better pace.

# Something wrong, or will need fixing? Briefly note it, then get back to the important things and go back to it if time allows. This can be particularly useful with report writing - put the headline in and go back to it later; leave the formatting if your boss just needs to read the words.

# Be clear what you will deliver and by when. Talk to your customer before the deadline, and tell them what is possible, what can be delivered today, and how long the reminder will take. The chances are they will agree.

# If it's not crucial and it's incomplete, remove - people are less likely to complain!

# If you are really stuck, take a short break, then start somewhere new - anywhere - as it will break your block.

# When you have finished, quit worrying about it, as you can't change what has happened. But, remember most tasks take longer than expected so learn to allow for it in the future.

Your time management depends on it!

By: Caron Kincaid

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