Structuring

Timelines

When addressing the timelines, it's a good idea to start with the date the report is due and work backwards. You need to be realistic about how long it will take to get things done. If it is clear that you cannot achieve the job in the time allocated, it is best to negotiate a new time at this early stage rather than wait until later. If the timeline cannot be changed, you may have to modify or delete some tasks or stages within the action plan.

What constraints can you think of that might affect your ability to get a report done on time? When you are ready, check Feedback.

Feedback

Some of the things that might get in your way that you need to plan around are:

public holidays and end-of-year breaks

people being on leave or away from the office for other reasons

the time it takes to obtain information

the time it takes to receive permission to use others' material

time for designing and printing your report (remember, many printers have downtime in January)

fitting your drafts around set meetings, for example, you may need a draft approved by a committee that only meets once a month.

Using the framework you developed in Structuring your approach, draw up an action plan for producing a written report on the location investigation.

You are to start working on this on 3 December and need to have a report on the General Manager's desk by 1 February. You are the coordinator and there are two other people working on the report, one of whom is taking two weeks leave from 10 December.

Refer to the Action Plan Format In the ValleyView Library. Keep a record of your action plan.

Use the menu below to continue.

Structuring