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Planing Writing Time

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Every major writing project with a fixed timeframe requires good time management. To create an effective schedule, you need an idea of how long each step of the process is likely to take. If you haven’t yet gained experience with larger writing projects, you can try the following tips and adapt them to your own working style.

Contents

Tips for time management in writing projects

  • Determine your submission deadline and plan backwards from there.
  • Create a list of tasks that need to be completed for the entire thesis.
  • From this list, select upcoming tasks and break them down into smaller steps. Plan when each individual step is next and how long it will take.
  • Schedule interim dates for individual work steps and writing phases and complete them consciously. These are your milestones, e.g. outline completed, draft finished.
  • Plan each step concretely and realistically and reserve buffer times.
  • Also consider other commitments such as exams, family, friends, leisure, work etc.
  • Check your overall plan regularly and adjust it if needed.
  • Acknowledge what you have already accomplished.

Create an overall plan

Organize the individual work steps into a timeline and set milestones. Here is an example plan for a thesis over 12 weeks:

Week 1 Topic agreed, initial literature research
Week 2 Literature research
Week 3 Meeting with supervisor regarding literature, narrowing down topic
Week 4 Reading and excerpting
Week 5 Organize materials, outline, meeting with supervisor regarding outline
Week 6 Writing
Week 7 Buffer
Week 8 Writing, send draft to supervisor
Week 9 Meeting with supervisor regarding text feedback, revising
Week 10 Further revisions
Week 11 Proofreading, layout
Week 12 Print, corrections, submission
In life and writing, it is normal that we cannot always stick to plans. Plan anyway – and keep adapting your plan to reality.

Create a monthly plan

Make a plan for an entire month, roughly noting your weekly tasks. You can keep this list analog or digital, e.g. in Excel or a calendar of your choice.

Example:

  • Week 1 – Tasks: Narrow down thesis topic, develop research question.
  • Week 2 – Tasks: Research literature, select sources, obtain materials.
  • Week 3 – Tasks: Create preliminary outline, consult with supervisor.
  • Week 4 – Tasks: Work on literature, write introduction.
Always plan a little extra time for safety.

Create a weekly plan

Weekly Planner: Week 1 Time:
Monday: Research topic 10 a.m.–12 p.m. & 4–6 p.m.
Tuesday: Narrow down topic 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Wednesday: Lectures All day
Thursday: Develop research question 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Friday: Lectures 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Saturday: Read and excerpt selected texts 2–5 p.m.
Sunday: Free! All day
Notes: Don’t forget sports on Thursday!

Especially for tasks that initially do not produce visible results, the Pomodoro Technique can help you visualize small progress and supports your:

  • Time management
  • Concentration
  • Self-organization

Frequently asked questions

How do I create a good schedule?

The writing process is very individual: Distribute the tasks in your schedule and always include a buffer period.

How can the Pomodoro Technique help me?

This method of tricking yourself with virtual rewards is surprisingly effective: The Pomodoro Technique can help improve your concentration.

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