In the creative industry, meeting deadlines is incredibly important, but just because it’s important doesn’t mean it’s easy. Here are some tips to help you learn how to meet those deadlines.
THE SCOPE 
Deadlines are essential to the creative sector as they allow us to highlight the length of time-specific jobs take. For example, suppose you are running a start-up business and need a complete brand package. It will take longer than just a logo.
For those outside the creative world, we know that understanding the scope of a creative job’s timeframe can be tricky. The initial scoping also allows us to give you an idea of the entire project’s cost.
THE RESEARCH 
With deadlines, it’s important that we allow enough time to adequately research and ask questions. A creative should fully understand what makes the client unique and what are sector’s successful trends.
TIME TO DESIGN 
The next deadline we work towards is the best one! For us at least, the deadline for when all the design work should be completed. It can sometimes feel like more can be done when hitting a big project deadline.
Be serious about it – commit to it
Let’s be honest; if you’re not serious about actually completing this project on time, you’re not going to. Make it your first priority.
Understand specifics and communicate
Make sure you know exactly when the deadline is and what exactly it is you’re expected to deliver. Really study the brief to ensure that you deliver what the client is expecting, and if you’re not sure, ask.
Get organised
Make a to-do list, and have a place where you can make a note of all the projects that you have to do and when for.
Break it down and prioritise
That big project might seem like one huge task, but it’s probably not. Break it up into manageable chunks of work, and do what is most important first.
Work backwards
Work backwards from the deadline to ensure that you know what you have to do and when. How long will each smaller task take you? This should help you to work out when you need to have them done for so that you can move onto other tasks and finish on time.
Plan to finish before the deadline
Work in a safety net into all your to-do lists and plans. Expect it to take longer than you think and then give yourself extra time in case in goes wrong. Then if something really catastrophic happens you still have time to fix it, and if it doesn’t – you’re finished early! The client will be really impressed and you have some extra time.
No distractions
Switch off that phone, log out of facebook and really concentrate. Try and work away from others if you find talking to others distracting, or plug into your headphones and listen to some music that you enjoy or find motivational.
Communicate!
If something is going wrong, make sure you communicate this with your tutors, if you are at risk of missing the deadline. They would prefer that you are honest with them and can probably help to solve your problem.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help/opinions
Sometimes speaking with others is a distraction, but if you’re discussing the project and how it can be improved, especially if you’re a bit stuck, can be invaluable. Having a different perspective on things can bring a fresh outlook and can really make the project fantastic.
ABOUT THE TIMELINE WORKFLOW TEMPLATE
WHAT IS A TIMELINE WORKFLOW?
A timeline is a visual tool that chronologically plots out projects step by step. It’s an ideal tool for your team to tell stories (such as an overview of events in your organization), and visualize your projects or processes.
WHEN TO USE THE TIMELINE WORKFLOW TEMPLATE
The Timeline Workflow template is perfect for any project that relies on visual content. You may find it beneficial to use with your team and also to share with other stakeholders or clients to keep them in the loop on your progress.
THE BENEFITS OF USING TIMELINES
Timelines are extremely effective tools for teams, whether distributed, in the office, remote, or all of the above. Here are four key benefits.
- Alignment: Timelines empower teams to stay aligned throughout the lifecycle of a project, so everyone knows their responsibilities and nothing falls through the cracks.
- Planning: Teams use timelines to establish the scope and parameters of a given project. Timelines help you articulate the resources you’ll need to finish the project, project stakeholders, and important deadlines.
- Visualisation: When you’re working on a project with many moving parts, it can be difficult to figure out your responsibilities to the team. Timelines help your team visualise, track, and report on your progress, as well as past and future steps toward finishing your goal.
- Ownership: Timelines allow team members to take ownership of their responsibilities. When you’ve mapped all required deadlines and tasks into a timeline, you can then use the timeline to assign roles and responsibilities. Everyone can then refer to the timeline to understand who owns each aspect of the project.
WHAT IS A TO DO LIST?
What is a ToDo List? The definition is a simple one. It’s a list of tasks you need to complete, or things that you want to do.
Most typically, they’re organised in order of priority. Traditionally, they’re written on a piece of paper or post it notes and acts as a memory aid. As technology has evolved we have been able to create a todo lists with excel spreadsheets, word documents, email lists, todo list apps, microsoft to do and google to do list to name a few. You can use a to do list in your home and personal life, or in the workplace.
Having a list of everything you need to do written down in one place means you shouldn’t forget anything important. By prioritising the tasks in the list you plan the order in which you’re going to do them and can quickly see what needs your immediate attention and what tasks you can leave until a little later.
THE BENEFITS OF USING A TO DO LIST
One of the most important reasons you should use a to do list is that it will help you stay organised. When you write all your tasks in a list, they seem more manageable. When you’ve got a clear outline of the tasks you’ve got to do and those you’ve completed, it helps you stay focused. While freeing up space in your mind for other more creative tasks.
When you complete a task, you can cross it off your list. This gives you a sense of progress and achievement, something you’ll lack if you’re always rushing from one task to the next. If you feel a sense of achievement, it spurs you on and motivates you to keep moving forward.
But that’s not the only benefits of a to do list. Here are a few more:
Improves your memory: A to do list acts as an external memory aid. It’s only possible to hold a few pieces of information at one time. Keep a to do list and you’ll be able to keep track of everything, rather than just a few of the tasks you need to do. Your to do list will also reinforce the information, which makes it less likely you’re going to forget something.
Increases productivity: A to do list allows you to prioritize the tasks that are more important. This means you don’t waste time on tasks that don’t require your immediate attention. Your list will help you stay focused on the tasks that are the most important.
Helps with motivation: To do lists are a great motivational tool because you can use them to clarify your goals. You can divide your long-term goal into smaller, more achievable short-term goals and as you tick each one off your list, your confidence will increase.
WHAT IS A TODO LIST IN BUSINESS AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
It seem such a simple solution by putting pen to paper and taking time out of your day to create a to do list, a plan for your day helps define your challenges and goals. Preventing time being wasted trying to identify what is the next most important task to tackle next and even more important makes sure you don’t forget to do something important.
To-do lists offer a way to increase productivity, stopping you forgetting things, helps prioritise task, manage tasks effectively, use time wisely and improve time management as well as workflow.CREATE A FREE WEBSITE OR BLOG AT WORDPRESS.COM.
Meeting deadlines video and group talk
Unit 3 professional Pratice 