Break a big project into milestones
Splits a large project into four to six milestones with a visible finish line and a weekly check, so it stops feeling like one huge thing.
Task:
Break my project into four to six milestones, each with a clear finish line.
Context:
The project is [project description] and the final deadline is [deadline]. I can work on it about [hours per week] hours a week. The part I am afraid of is [what feels scary].
Rules:
- Write each milestone as an outcome I can check, such as "draft sent to Sam", not as an activity.
- Give each milestone a target date and an estimate of hours, and make the hours fit my weekly capacity.
- Put the part I am afraid of in the second milestone, not the first, and make the first milestone a quick win.
- If the deadline is not realistic with my hours, say so and show what would have to give.
Result:
A table with the columns milestone, finish line, target date and hours. After it, one sentence on what to check in a 10-minute weekly review.