Intermediate level · Module 4: Managing Multiple Clients · Lesson 1 of 3
Workload Planning
Know your capacity and plan around it.
In this lesson you will
- Estimate capacity
- Use a project tracker
Key concepts
capacitytrackerdeadlinesdeclining work
The lesson
Estimate how many hours you can work well each week and track committed work against it.
A tracker lists each client, task, deadline, status and hours.
Decline or reschedule work that would exceed capacity — missed deadlines cost more than lost jobs.
Step by step
- Estimate weekly capacity.
- Build the tracker.
- Plan a busy fortnight.
- Decide what to decline.
A freelance project from proposal to review
The stages of a well-run client project.
Proposal
Tailored proposal with a plan, sample and question.
freelancer
Agree terms
Scope, deliverables, revisions, price, milestones and timeline in writing.
freelancer and client
Kick-off
Confirm requirements, collect materials and agree update times.
freelancer
Work and update
Track the task in your tracker; send progress updates before the client asks.
freelancer
Review and revise
Collect feedback, make agreed revisions and quote anything extra.
freelancer and client
Deliver and close
Quality-check, deliver organised files, invoice and ask for a review.
freelancer
A good review and a follow-up message often lead to repeat work or a retainer.
Why it works
Most problems come from unclear scope; the 'agree terms' step prevents them.
Practice activity
Plan your workload across clients.
Expected result: A tracker and realistic plan.
Check your understanding
-
What does a client tracker list?
Show answer
Client, task, deadline, status and hours.
-
Why decline work beyond capacity?
Show answer
Missed deadlines damage reputation.
Taught live by an instructor — online or in person. Free course lessons are for self-study and do not lead to a certificate — see registration options.