I recently ran a Presentation skills course where the subject matter got the grup talking about planning and time management.

Whether its a presentation, a project, a team meeting, a proposal or a training course we all need a degree of time to 'deliver' the 'product'.

When you're give the task of producing the product (whatever that might be) it's worth knowing what your ratio is to help the planning stage and to discuss delivery dates.

Ratio? I hear you question. 

Yes the ratio. The ratio is the amount of time needed planning X  to the amount of time spent deliverying X.

Let me explain this further for you. As an experienced trainer I know that if I was asked to design and deliver an interactive training course that lasted 1 day, this would take me 3 days to work out and design the materials, exercises, content, format, and to practice the delivery. 

Therefore my 'Ratio' is 3:1

A two day course would take me 5 days. 5:2

Knowing these ratio's I'm able to plan my time and discuss confidently the expected delivery date. 

Alternatively if the delivery date is set....I know how soon I have to commence work on the project to meet the delivery time...and whether the delivery date is feasable.

Ratio's can change depending on the work you're expected to deliver, the level of experience you have, and the reliance on input from others.

But do you know your ratios?

Why not map them out? You may find it helps your time management process!