When dealing with multiple projects or more complex project proposals, it can sometimes take work for project managers to keep track of the current status and how long it will take to finish it.

To help with this mission, there is a tool called project pipeline management. With this, the project managers are able to not only stay on the same page regarding each step of the process but also give a more accurate estimated project plan.

You must follow multiple steps for effective project pipeline management to guarantee the right results. This article will show you how to create the perfect project pipeline management template for your business.

Before creating a document for pipeline projects, you must understand what they are and why they are valuable tools. A pipeline is a tool that project managers use to see the project's current status in all aspects.

It can help with project planning, prioritizing tasks, and projects that genuinely cause an impact. It is a living document that must be constantly updated to truly reflect a project's current state and show its best course of action.

There are several reasons a project pipeline is a crucial tool for your business. First, you can easily track the project’s progress and current status. With this, you can easily prioritize which tasks matter the most and keep all the team members on the same page.

Moreover, the project pipeline is also used to identify risks that can appear along the way when executing the project. This way, you can be prepared for those situations and avoid delaying the entire project.

Using a project pipeline will also directly improve communication between project managers and other team members. The more transparent your communication gets, the better for the final results and ensures that the organization’s strategic objectives will be fulfilled.

It is also essential to know that there are different types of project pipelines, each with its own focus. You must understand those differences to ensure you will use the correct type when building your template.

This way, you will have a document that generates real impact. Here are the most common types of project pipelines:

Sales Pipeline

The sales pipeline type is one of the most used ones, and, as the name suggests, it focuses on the sales process. Some of the most common items tracked through this pipeline are the leads generated and the current phase of the sales cycle.

You can also take note of other details like the deal’s size and the project budget for lead generation.

Marketing Pipeline

The marketing project management pipeline is usually one of the most straightforward ones. It can go as simple as a tag regarding the project completion and each process step, all the way to more complicated things like selecting the projects for project portfolio management.

You can use the project pipeline to discuss new ideas, decide on future projects and create new project milestones. It is a versatile document that will give you an overview of your company's processes.

Development Pipeline

The last type of pipeline we will discuss is pipelines regarding development project proposals. For the development pipeline management, your document must have space for taking note of data and tests that you run.

In this kind of project, the entire team must work on a centralized workspace, and the project pipeline is the perfect tool for this mission.

Although these two tools might look like the same thing, they have some expressive differences. Project portfolio management is a tool companies worldwide use to ensure that they will complete the right projects at the right time.

The main objective of this kind of document is to ensure maximum efficiency in the project execution, completing all expected objectives and goals. On the other hand, project pipeline management is a complementary tool. The project pipeline is a method for efficiently using the project portfolio.

Now that you know what project pipelines are and why they are vital for your business, it is time to see how to create the perfect template for your needs. Be sure to follow each step carefully to guarantee the best results out of your document.

From the type of document to the number of items, everything will have an impact on the results of your project. You must deeply analyze your goals and objectives before you start writing.

Here are the main steps:

Choose the Title of the Document and Identify Its Type

The first thing you need to do when building a pipeline is to identify the document properly. The title of it can be the same as the project.

It is important to do it to avoid mistaking the document for another one. Doing this will optimize the process when looking for the document and prevent these problems.

Along with that, you must also identify the type of project. It can be one of the previously mentioned ones or another. Understanding its type will show you what to include in the template.

Create Columns and Categories

After adding the title to your template and defining its type, it is time to create and identify the columns. It is essential to know that the categories of columns will directly depend on which kind of project you are working on.

The same template will not work for all your projects since they can be from different types. Project parameters are specific for each project and must be chosen during the planning stage.

Create a Dashboard for Notes and Updates

When building this kind of documentation, creating a dashboard for writing notes and updates on the project is also recommended. This dashboard can be accessed by all team members.

This way, everyone can take note of new ideas and suggestions they want to make. Moreover, this space can be used to update processes and steps, optimizing the project.

If you are looking for tips on how to make your project pipeline document even more efficient, this is for you. Here are some quick tips that can be game-changers when creating a pipeline form for your business:

Keep It Online

If you want your document to be easily accessible and compatible with the largest number of devices, you must keep it in an online format. There are tons of tools that allow you to create it online but also store it in cloud services, like Microsoft Office, for example.

Share It With Everyone

The document might not be editable for most team members, but it must be accessible to everyone. If you want your entire team to be on the same page, everyone should be able to monitor what needs to be done next and the notes added regarding the project.

When it comes to creating project pipelines and other project planning tools, many options are available. Each one has its own tools and features, from known software to specialized programs.

Among all the options available, we highly recommend using Microsoft Office. It has one of the best software selections and features on the market and is also an industry standard, dismissing the need for other programs.

You can use Excel to create the perfect spreadsheet and share it with your team members while using PowerPoint to build visually appealing presentations for your team and key stakeholders.

If you don’t have a Microsoft Office activation key, you can find Microsoft Office 2021 Professional Plus Key Retail Global at RoyalCDKeys for a considerably lower price. This way, you can access all software and features and save money for other parts of your business.

If you don’t want to create your pipeline template from scratch, there is no problem. Here are some ready-to-use examples you can download and edit to better fit your needs.

Don’t forget to choose a template that suits your project type. Otherwise, you might end up with a document that will not be efficient.

Template #1

Complete project pipeline template. Spreadsheet for Microsoft Excel featuring all the necessary elements for making pipeline management.

Get this template

Template #2

Management pipeline template. A PowerPoint presentation that can be used for making a project management pipeline for any kind of business and project.

Get this template

Template #3

Simple pipeline report. Template dedicated to making reports on the project and its current status. It can be used for multiple project types and businesses.

Get this template

Template #4

Simple project template for multiple projects. Features fields for the main necessary information for your business.

Get this template

Template #5

Detailed pipeline template. Indicated for those who need large descriptions in the document.

Get this template

Having a project planning tool like a pipeline template can be a true game-changer for companies of any kind. The template can help generate new project ideas and ensure everybody is on the same page when executing the tasks.

For the document to be effective, it must be carefully crafted. Every piece of information included in the template will have a different impact.

When creating a pipeline project template, don’t forget to choose a template that is compatible with your project. You can also use Microsoft Office to edit even the smallest details of your template, making a document that truly fits what you were expecting.

Now that you know everything you need, it is time to start creating your own project pipeline template. This way, your project management will definitely become easier, and you will feel a positive impact on the business.