When Should Tasks Be Completed?

Cover creation can be done
at any time
in the book production process.

I assign that task
to my cover designer
as soon as I have a title
and a basic concept
of the story.

She works on the cover
as I write the story.

Cover design
adds no time
to the product timeline.

Editing can only be done
when the story is written.

I have to wait
until I’ve written the story
to assign that task
to my editor.

Editing adds time
to the product timeline.
I have to factor that task in
when I’m deciding on
a launch date.

A key part of product management
is deciding
which tasks can be done
at the same time
and
which tasks have to be done
in a specific order.

Survey your tasks.

Divide them into
those two large buckets.

Assign the tasks
that can be done
at the same time
as soon as possible.