Project management is a diverse field that encompasses a multitude of methodologies involving hundreds of topics and industries. Project managers use diverse tools and processes to complete their tasks, a majority of which are specific to a single company or product. Project timeline is an element that appears in every project despite the limitless variety of project management techniques. Accordingly, project timeline examples provide an account of schedules and activities that are spread through the entire project duration. A project timeline example captures the essence of what the project will accomplish and how it will be done indicating that it is essential for project managers to develop a project timeline in the early stages of the undertaking. In essence, project managers who build a comprehensive project timeline are likely to ensure the success of a project. Project timeline example may also provide information concerning product development, its launch, control, and evaluation.
The timeline is designed to help in organizing the project, which concerns formulation and introduction of new products in the market. It entails frameworks for market research, actual product development, and product launch.
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Project Stage 1
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MARKET RESEARCH AND TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY
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Scheduled Time (three months)
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Development of commercialization timeline |
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Assessing competition and market share |
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Assessing customer needs and preferences |
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Identifying target markets |
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Developing product mock up |
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Holding focus groups |
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Developing product definition |
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Assessing technical feasibility of project |
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Assessing management capabilities for project |
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Recruiting project team |
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Determining project costs |
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Assessing regulatory environment for the product |
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Building business case |
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Obtaining initial round of financing |
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Other tasks as required: |
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Project Stage 2 |
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING |
(Three months) |
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Detailing the product development plan |
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Developing the prototype |
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Gathering end-user feedback |
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Refining product based on feedback |
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Carrying out in-house testing |
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Conducting field trials |
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Obtaining regulatory approvals |
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Applying for patents |
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Updating business plan |
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Developing marketing plan |
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Securing final stage financing |
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Other tasks as required: |
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Project Stage 3 |
PRODUCTION & MARKET LAUNCH |
(One month) |
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Developing Production Plan |
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Purchasing and setting up equipment |
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Training production staff |
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Conducting trial production run |
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Quality Assurance Plan |
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Consider R&D function |
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Establishing Accounting System |
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Developing Management Reports |
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Obtaining and equipping administration facility |
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Developing administrative systems |
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Developing distribution systems |
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Developing packaging designs |
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Developing logistical systems |
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Establishing prices and terms of sale |
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Developing the new product brand program |
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Developing trade and trademarks |
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Developing marketing messages |
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Developing the graphics identification |
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Developing the publicity program |
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Developing the advertising program |
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Developing the trade show program |
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Developing the company brochure |
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Developing the product brochure |
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Developing the customer relations program |
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Developing the technical support program |
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Developing the user training program |
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Developing the supplies and parts program |
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Developing the internet site |
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Setting up board of directors |
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Establishing mentors and business advisors |
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Establishing human resource strategy |
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Production launch |
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Market launch |
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Other tasks as required: |
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PROJECT REVIEW |
One month |
Individuals responsible for tasks in the three project stages include:
- project manager,
- production manager,
- marketing and sales manager,
- production and marketing team,
- quality survey analysts,
- product quality control manager.
References:
Burke, R. (2013). Project management: planning and control techniques. New Jersey, USA.
Dinsmore, P. C., & Cabanis-Brewin, J. (Eds.). (2006). The AMA handbook of project management. AMACOM Div American Mgmt Assn.
Fleming, Q. W., & Koppelman, J. M. (2016). Earned value project management. Project Management Institute.
Kerzner, H. (2013). Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Meredith, J. R., & Mantel Jr, S. J. (2011). Project management: a managerial approach. John Wiley & Sons.
Relich, M., & Muszyński, W. (2014). The use of intelligent systems for planning and scheduling of product development projects. Procedia computer science, 35, 1586-1595.
Wysocki, R. K. (2011). Effective project management: traditional, agile, extreme. John Wiley & Sons.