Planning the TQS Development Journey (7) – Writing mileposts?

This post will come as a revelation to most readers, it deals with mileposts that most people ignore.

Think about the time you have available to you to write your TQS application.

You have, of course, as much as you want, because you can start anytime. You don't have to wait until you have registered with a certification body.

However, assuming you are working to a deadline, think first of the total time you have available to you.

Then consider the following:

• After how much of the time available should you have the first draft finished?
• After how much of the time available should you have reviewed and updated the first draft?
• After how much of the time available should the application be reviewed by the senior team?
• After how much of the time available should you be doing the final review, proof reading and consistency checking?

For most people these questions are irrelevant. Everything is squashed into a very short space of time when they are rushing around trying to get words – any words - onto the computer screen.

However, if you want to make the best of the application writing process, you will establish some mileposts and they will look something like this.

The first draft will be finished when 35% of the total time available has passed.

Your first review and update will be completed after half the available time has passed.

Senior managers will have completed their review and revisions when two thirds of the available time has passed.

You should then make further revisions. At this point you will have used up about three quarters of the time available.

You should then wait for a few days before undertaking your final review, consistency check and proof reading. It’s amazing how many mistakes and inconsistencies you find if you leave yourself time to work in this way.

Here is the link to what Sue Lowe from Hugh Baird College had to say about the application writing process. It’s worth taking her advice.

Establish mileposts.

Create deadlines – and stick to them.