Start by listing every major deliverable in chronological order. Create a master Gantt chart with three columns: task, start, end. Add a “dependency” column that links each task to the one that must finish first. For example, Marketing launch must wait for Product‑Ready, so mark Product‑Ready → Marketing Launch. Insert a 10‑percent buffer after each critical path task; if a task overruns, the buffer can absorb it without shifting the whole schedule. Group related tasks into phases: Development, QA, Packaging, Distribution, Marketing. Within each phase, set a milestone at the end of the phase and require sign‑off before moving on. Use color coding for task status—green for on track, yellow for at risk, red for delayed. Finally, schedule a weekly review slot to verify that each task’s progress matches the planned timeline and adjust buffers if necessary.

Here’s a quick recalibration with the 10 % buffers in place and the milestones kept intact. I’ll stretch each critical task by 10 % of its duration and shift the next start accordingly. **Revised Timeline** | Task | Start | End | Dependency | Buffer | New End | |------|-------|-----|------------|--------|---------| | Requirement Spec | Day 1 | Day 7 | None | 0.7 days | Day 7 | | Design Doc | Day 8 | Day 14 | Requirement Spec | 1.4 days | Day 15 | | Prototype | Day 16 | Day 30 | Design Doc | 3 days | Day 33 | | Unit Test | Day 34 | Day 45 | Prototype | 4.5 days | Day 50 | | System Integration | Day 51 | Day 60 | Unit Test | 6 days | Day 66 | | User Acceptance Test | Day 67 | Day 75 | System Integration | 7.5 days | Day 83 | | Packaging | Day 84 | Day 90 | User Acceptance Test | 9 days | Day 99 | | Distribution Prep | Day 100 | Day 105 | Packaging | 10.5 days | Day 115 | | Marketing Launch | Day 116 | Day 120 | Distribution Prep | 12 days | Day 132 | **Milestones** - Development Complete: Day 33 - QA Complete: Day 83 - Packaging Complete: Day 99 **Color Coding** All tasks green until the first weekly review; shift to yellow if any delay exceeds the buffer. **Weekly Review** Every Friday at 10 am. Confirm each task’s actual finish versus the scheduled finish. If a task hits its buffer, flag it immediately and decide whether to push the next start or allocate resources to close the gap. This keeps the critical path protected while still giving the team a clear, adjustable schedule.

Got it. I’ll flag any buffer breaches right away and reallocate resources on the spot to keep the downstream tasks on schedule.

Understood. I’ll monitor the buffers strictly and reallocate resources immediately if any task exceeds its limit, ensuring the chain stays on schedule.