This website also provides LINKS to a number of other websites created by the author that provide free downloads of various types of timing devices, and information on time management, which are presented below:

 

www.TechForText.com/Time

The above is a webpage that lists a number of websites

 

www.TechForText.com/Time-Management

 

www.TechForText.com/Timing-Devices-Created-with-Spreadsheet-Software

 

www.TechForText.com/Clocks

 

www.TechForText.com/Project-Timers-and-Calendars

 

www.TechForText.com/Elapsed-Timers

 

www.TechForText.com/Experimental-Elapsed-Timers

 

 

The Software-Based Devices On This

Website Are Available For Free Download

 

Below there are six devices in the Microsoft Excel format, that will help you plan projects, and daily activities.  Some of these devices are also in the JavaScript format, which is primarily for demonstration purposes.    (The Excel devices require Microsoft Windows, and they are available for Microsoft Excel 2007-2010 and Excel 2003, as indicated on the filenames.)  

      Remove the software from the zipped folder before you use it.  This applies to both the Excel and JavaScript versions.  To use any of the following devices, delete the dates in the white input boxes, and entered the dates that relate to your project or daily, weekly, monthly or yearly plans.  With these dates the Excel and JavaScript devices perform a set of calculations, as indicated on each device.

      (For Devices 3, 4, 5, and 6) The Planner-Calendars provide sections under each date, to enter your sub‑goals or related plans for the day.  You can also use these sections for any other information that will help you obtain your objectives.  Sometimes it is useful to record problems and/or successful outcomes in these sections as they occur day by day. To download any of the following devices left click on the blue words below.

 

1) Countdown Timer for the Number of Days Remaining to Complete a Project:  This device is essentially a countdown timer in days.  It tells you each day, how many days you have remaining to complete your project. (This zipped folder contains Three files for Excel 2003, Excel 2007-2010 and JavaScript.)

 

 

2) Countdown Timer in Percentages & Days Remaining to Complete Project:  This is a countdown timer for days, but it is more elaborate than the above.  It has input boxes for the start date and end date of a project.  It automatically calculates the percent of the project that should be completed by a given date. (This zipped folder contains three files for Excel 2003, Excel 2007-2010 and JavaScript.)

 

 

3) A Planner-Calendar for a 14 Day Project:  This is useful for planning the activities for a couple of weeks, or for simple projects that can be completed in 14 days or less.  (This zipped folder contains three files for Excel 2003, Excel 2007-2010 and JavaScript.)

 

 

4) A Planner-Calendar for a 14 Day Project, with Percentage Calculations: This is a planner-calendar for a 14-day project, and it is similar to the above, but it provides several additional features.  It calculates day by day the percent of the time that remains to complete the project.  It also calculates the percent of the project that should be completed, day by day.  (This zipped folder contains three files for Excel 2003, Excel 2007-2010 and JavaScript.)

 

 

5) A Planner-Calendar for a 28-Day Project, with Percentage Calculations:  This planner is similar to the above, except it is for 28 days. (This zipped folder contains three files for Excel 2003, Excel 2007-2010 and JavaScript.)

 

6) An Adjustable Planner for Projects Ranging from one Day to one Year: This is an adjustable planner-calendar that can be used for projects ranging in length from one day to one year.  It calculates day by day the percent of the time that remains to complete the project, and the percent of the project that should be completed.  This is displayed above each date on the planner.  The current date is automatically highlighted in a light purplish color, with black text. (This zipped folder contains two files for Excel 2003, Excel 2007‑2010, and it is NOT available in JavaScript.)   

 

 

 

Important Note about Timing Devices

Created With Spreadsheet Software

 

It is important to understand that timing devices that were created with Microsoft Excel, or similar spreadsheet software, must be updated to obtain the correct time and date.  For example, if a timing device created with spreadsheet software is opened on your computer on August 23, 2012, at 4:26 PM, it will indicate the above time and date.  This date and time will not change, even if you leave the software opened on your computer for a week, unless you update it.  You can update the spreadsheet versions either by entering or deleting numbers, and clicking with the mouse, or by opening and closing the software.  When a JavaScript timing device is created with spreadsheet software, the exact same concept applies.  That is the software will not register any changes in date or time unless it is updated as indicated above.  However, with the JavaScript versions, I often provide an update button, which the user can press to update the date and time.

      All of the above usually does not result in any practical problems, because most people frequently open and close software, and/or enter or delete data, which automatically updates the time and date.  When this is a problem, alternative timing software should be used. 

      It is also important to understand that the spreadsheet and JavaScript devices access the date and time on your computer's clock.  Thus, if your computer’s timing mechanism is incorrect the time and/or date on the spreadsheet and JavaScript devices will also be incorrect.

 

 

Some Useful Ideas to Help You With

Project Planning, Goal Attainment and Scheduling

Of Daily, Weekly, Monthly, and Yearly Activities

 

Based on the way the terminology is used on this website, project planners, are software-based devices that have a built-in timing mechanism or calendar, which is designed to help with planning and/or scheduling various aspects of a project.  In the simplest form, a project planner is a software-based calendar to describe various sub-goals or tasks that relate to the completion of the project. 

      Projects, schedules and project planners, involve a specific start date, an end date.  The start date is the day when the project or plans officially starts.  I am defining the end date, as the last day of the project.  For example, if September 23, 2012 is the end date, it means that before the end of September 23 all the work will be completed before the end of the day.  The date of total completion, where 100% of the project is completed, would be September 24, 2012, with this example. 

      The project can be a set of unrelated goals or activities that you want to complete in a day, a week a month, or year.  On the other hand the project can be specific goal divided into a series of sub-goals, which may involve one or more individuals.  The most obvious example is a construction project.   

      Organizing tasks and goals into a project that is to be completed within a specific period of time can be a very useful time management strategy.  This type of planning is more likely to be fruitful if the relevant tasks or sub-goals are listed on paper or on the computer screen, and evaluated by asking yourself a series of relevant questions, such as the following examples:

 

How much time is required to complete this sub-goal?

 

How much money is required to complete this sub-goal? 

 

What are the risks involved with this sub-goal. 

 

Can I complete this sub-goal by myself, or do I need the assistance of others, such as technicians and/or experts.

 

What are the tools, equipment and personnel needed to complete this project?  

 

What is the time, cost, and risks associated with the entire project?

 

Are there any ways of reducing the time, cost, and risks associated with this project?

 

Is the cost benefit ratio favorable with this project?

 

Are there any strategies that can be implemented to improve the cost benefit ratio of this project?

 

What are all the potential problems with this project, and how can they be circumvented?

 

Are there any other questions you can add to this list?  (Usually the best questions, and related answers, are created by the individual or people that are planning the project.)

 

 

      When answering questions of this nature, it is helpful to keep in mind that people often underestimate the time, cost, and risks associated with projects and long-term goals.  This is probably because it is difficult to visualize and evaluate the large number of steps, and potential problems with most long-term objectives.  Trying to visualize and evaluate more of the sequences, and potential problems, can result in better planning of long-term projects.  To compensate for the tendency to underestimate, create plans that have safety margins in terms of extra funding, and additional time.  Increasing estimates of time and money to complete a project by a specific percentage may be the most realistic strategy in many situations.  This can range from 5 to 70% depending on the circumstances.  

      In many situations, especially with personal goals, the best plans are very flexible in nature, and contain a number of alternate pathways to the primary objective.  This essentially involves alternative sets of sub‑goals that will help you obtain your primary objective, or an alternative objective that is almost as desirable.

      It's important to understand that goals can be divided into two general categories, which are projects that have an almost definite outcome, and objectives that you or your business hopes to achieve.  For example, opening up a new business outlet, for a large corporation, is a construction project with an almost definite outcome.  However, making the new business outlet profitable is a goal that is NOT at all definite.  It is a desire that may or may NOT be obtainable.  Many of our personal goals, hopes and dreams fall into this indefinite category, which are usually best achieved with very flexible planning.

     

The JavaScript Devices

Presented for demonstration

 

Below there is an embedded JavaScript 14 Day Planner-Calendar, and links to five JavaScript devices, which can also be obtained by downloading the zip folder presented several paragraphs above.  For an actual project you should use the Excel devices.  The JavaScript devices function best for demonstration purposes. Left click on the links presented below to open the device directly in your web browser.

 

1) Countdown Timer for the Number of Days Remaining to Complete a Project

 

2) Countdown Timer in Percentages & Days Remaining to Complete a Project

 

3) A Planner-Calendar for a 14 Day Project

 

4) A Planner-Calendar for a 14 Day Project, with Percentage Calculations

 

5) A Planner-Calendar for a 28-Day Project, with Percentage Calculations

 

  

	A Planner-Calendar for a 14-Day Project, with Percentage Calculations
	This is a planner-calendar for a 14-day project. It calculates day by day the percent of the time that remains to complete the project, and the percent of the project that should be completed. To use this device, delete the date in the white input box below, and enter the start date of your 14-day project.
	Enter the start date of your 14 day project in the white box below.
		Start date =
	All work must be completed before the end of the above date
	This is the End Date, and by the end of this day the project should be completed.
			The project should be 100% completed before this day starts.