Running a business can be as dynamic as it is grueling. With the ever-increasing workload, constant scheduling of tasks and goals can become quite challenging. And perhaps this is why, research says, only 30% of companies manage to complete all their projects smoothly on time.Â
But it’s not just the project managers who kneel before this challenge. Even individual employees and small business owners bear the brunt of it too. For instance, if you manage a cafe, you will have to keep track of daily inventory, schedule, manage worker shifts, assign work, and might have to readjust in case of critical tasks. As you have a lot on your plate, it will become impossible to carry out everything with mere memory. But fret not! This is where task management takes action!
Task management - A valuable solution
Task management is everything involved in taking a task from an idea to its completion stage. It involves delegating sub-tasks to teammates, setting deadlines, accessing the time required, financial investments, and more.Â
As you might have to take charge of more than one project with varied tasks that further need to be delegated and monitored. Eventually, if you have to deal with the loose ends in this situation, it will become a nightmare and put your project at risk.Â
Task management will help you cross items off your to-do list while guiding everyone in your team to stay in sync and be productive. Here’s how to get started.Â
1. Create a priority list
We all struggle to stay focused on a particular activity or goal, especially when something whacks our memory, and we want to tackle a separate task right then. Add the task to your to-do list to know that you won’t forget it and focus on the primitive one. This will keep your mind at ease.Â
2. Centralize all tasks
Centralize all your tasks along similar lines by utilizing a notepad, a piece of paper, a running Evernote list, a to-do list app, random notes on a Google doc, Trello board, or follow-up items in your CRM. This will help you quickly find the information and feel less scattered.Â
3. Create sub-tasks
Convert each project into discrete sub-tasks. It might take an extra minute to write each sub-task, but it will make the execution easier. Just read and initiate the sub-task; no extra thinking will be involved.Â
4. Schedule breaks too
Some of the tasks are more burdensome in comparison to others. If you try to complete the most draining tasks back-to-back, you will be exhausted by the end. And the same goes for semi-mindless tasks, which can lead to boredom if performed continuously. With that in mind, give yourself a break by constantly shifting between challenging and simple activities.Â
5. Cover everything
It is critical to add everything to your to-do list, otherwise, it will probably not get done. Besides, do not forget to set reminders and deadlines to keep things from falling through the cracks.Â
6. Pivot when necessary
When you get information about a new task or decide something is not working, update your to-do list accordingly. Reschedule your meetings if anything important comes up.Â
7. Automate
Automation of tasks can have a noticeable impact on your efficiency. Use various automation tools after systematic investigation as per your industry and work. Choose the best tool so that your tasks take less time to complete.Â
8. Assign timeÂ
Don’t underestimate the importance of time. Assign length to each task, and you won’t feel demotivated. Consider the time a particular type of task took in the past and set accordingly.Â
How you manage a task entirely depends on you — the type of automation tool to use, the number of sub-categories to create, whether or not to form a separate task priority list for each team member. Strategize on all these pointers and more to develop a robust task management system. We have included our top 20 task management templates to help you align all business meetings or projects. So let’s explore them.Â
Template 1
This template will help you handle the entire task lifecycle, right from planning to execution. So download it and ensure that your project stays on track and gets completed on time.Â
Download Task Management PowerPoint Slides
Template 2
This template will help you clarify your goals and prioritize your most important tasks. Therefore, pick it to achieve more extensive results and help your team increase their output. Grab it right away!
Download Team Task Management Worksheet PPT
Template 3
Pick this template to check the monthly completion status of your office tasks, personal errands, and appointments, ensuring that you have delivered well in all these events. The design is easy to edit. So download and change it according to your task details.Â
Download Monthly Task Management Planner With Completion Status Templates
Template 4
You can choose this template to exhibit the time of completion against each task. This will help you prioritize your day wisely. So download it immediately without any second thoughts.Â
Download Checklist For Task Management With Time Estimate
Template 5
Create a task management dashboard by utilizing this well-researched template. Depict department-wise task allocation to help your team understand their duties more precisely. Download instantly without any hassle.
Download Task Management Dashboard With Department Wise Allocation
Template 6
This weekly task management sheet can be downloaded by any business manager. It will help the user understand if all the tasks are increasing efficiency. So download it and remove all potential distractions.Â
Download Weekly Task Management Sheet With Business Impact
Template 7
Help your team select the best task management software for the organization with this creative template. The design hosts various features, of which flexibility tops the list. So download and edit it easily.Â
Download Employee Checking Features Of Task Management Software
Template 8
Managers can use this template to design a task management dashboard. It illustrates the complete workload associated with an employee, such as task snapshot, task progress, and task allocation. So download now and keep a check on your employees’ performance.
Download Task Management Dashboard With Employee Workload
Template 9
Choose this template to create a weekly task management chart for your project teams. Highlight the crucial tasks and manage all your team’s work in one place. Download now!
Download Weekly Task Management Chart For Project Teams
Template 10
Improve your process flow by selecting this task management template. It includes a flowchart that can be easily edited. So download it and share a graphical representation of your project tasks.Â
Download Flowchart For Task Management In Project
Template 11
Multiple teams can use this template to segregate their tasks based on urgency. It includes a well-designed matrix that can be customized without any difficulty. So grab it right away and help your team stay organized.
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Download Importance Matrix With Organizational Task Management
Template 12
This is yet another task management template that assures the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques for meeting a task requirement. So download it and captivate your audience.Â
Download Task Management Across Departments PPT Slides
Template 13
Examine your project’s quality, status, and completion by using this pre-designed task management template. Download it and complete your projects efficiently by organizing and prioritizing related tasks.Â
Download Project Task Management PPT SlideÂ
Template 14
This template can be used to plan and schedule a project with the help of a task management Gantt chart. Creating a template from scratch requires intense brainstorming sessions. Therefore, download this pre-designed slide and manage the dependencies between tasks.Â
Download Task Management Gantt Chart PPT Slide
Template 15
Share a robust task management system model with your team by incorporating this template. It will help your employees track tasks, prioritize them, set deadlines, and assign to the right person. So grab it immediately!
Download Present Task Management System Model Presentation
Template 16
This template will help your employees stay organized and work adequately. So download and add it to your presentation, thus ensuring your tasks are completed on time.Â
Download Task Management Dashboard Templates
Template 17
A project manager must adhere to a schedule for effectively managing all the tasks in an organization. Therefore, we present our horizontal process task management template. Download it and positively influence your project dynamics.Â
Download Horizontal Process For Business Tasks Management
Template 18
This is yet another task management dashboard presentation. Pick it to establish smooth internal communication in the company. It can be easily edited. So download it without any delay!
Download Task Management Dashboard Illustrates PPT PowerPoint
Template 19
Incorporate the smart zig-zag art given in this template for establishing a smooth task management system in your company. Download it and make project implementation more convenient for your employees.Â
Download Circular Zig Zag Steps For Business Task Management Templates
Template 20
This template will help you exhibit a comparison between the actual and budgeted hours taken by an employee for the completion of a task. So download it and specifically monitor the activities.Â
Download Daily Task Management Sheet With Budgeted And Actual Hours
Final thoughts
Do not let your desire for productivity go against you! There are many sound task management systems out there, so pick them instead of the sloppy ones. In fact, you can even create your own task management system with our well-structured templates. Try them out and see if they help you!
P.S: We understand that productivity at work is mandatory for career success. Therefore, to utilize every second of your day wisely, master the art of time management with our top templates offered in this blog.Â