<h1>Managing Deadlines 1: For Delegates</h1>

I was about to give written advice to a few people that work for me on how to manage deadlines...and I thought "why don't I just blog it"...two birds with one stone!

When you work for someone else there is a very good chance that you will be delegated tasks to complete. Sometimes these tasks may be delegated in a very structured manner and sometimes they may not. But regardless of how they are delegated, what should be clear is that your boss wants something from you by a certain time.

It is important to be able to manage your deadlines effectively for several reasons: -

1. To prove to your manager that you are competent
2. To show that you are well organised
3. To show your line manager that you are committed and confident
4. You will be able to manage your workload effectively
5. When your manager asks you to complete something you will be able to confidently confirm if the deadline is achievable - which in some cases it might not be.

You will know yourself how strict your manager is with deadlines, but here are few pointers for managing your deadlines: -

Put the deadline date in your diary

Note the deadline in your diary and then work back from that date. Schedule in time for when you are going to sit and work on this task or project.

Start the task early

Make sure you start thinking about the task early on. Take notes and gather any information you need. You don't want to be worrying about it 2 or 3 days before hand and then realise you need information from someone that you cannot get a hold of.

Make sure you are happy with what you have to achieve

Take the time very early on to ask your manager any questions in order to clarify your delegated task - make sure it is SMART!

Break down the task into smaller parts

Sometimes it may be appropriate to break the task down into smaller parts and work on each part separately. This will make the task more manageable for you.

Set yourself targets

Once you have broken your task into small more manageable parts set yourself targets that lead up to the deadline...and make sure you put them in your diary.

Get others to help you

Maybe you can get others to help you with certain parts of the task? Not only will this help you out, it may also tie in with individual personal development.

Submit the work early

This will give your manager time to look at the work you have completed, and if necessary, ask you to tweak or amend certain details...there is a good chance that the work you are completing for your manager is to meet a deadline from his/her manager.

Preempt the deadline

In most organisations there are things that happen at the same time every year. If you know when they are then preempt your manager delegating a task to you.

What if you don't think the deadline is achievable - can you say no?

Depending on how lenient your manager is you may be able to negotiate the deadline. If you are already very organised you will be able to show your manager the reasons why you cannot achieve the deadline and he/she may allow you to negotiate your other deadlines based on priority.

It is all quite straight forward and if you are naturally organised you will find it easy to meet deadlines.

I hope that you find this useful and please leave a comment if you can build on what I have written here.

Thanks for reading,

Chris

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