Free Project Task List Templates for Project Management

A project task list includes every task required for successful project completion. To create a project task list, use an application such as Excel or Google Sheets. Task lists also include such information as statuses, timelines, and team member information. 

A project task list typically includes the name of each project task, which team member is responsible for completing it, and its due date, status, priority, and any relevant notes. This document helps project managers, team members, and other stakeholders ensure that every required task is accounted for, assigned, and completed on time. By creating a project task list, you can help make sure that everyone involved in the project understands the status of each individual task and the project as a whole. 

In an application such as Excel, you can create a simple task list table by inserting rows such as Task Name, Status, Priority, Due Date, Assignee, and Notes. A simple task list like this can help ensure that you account for all of your project’s to-do items. 

You can also use a project task list template, which includes the primary elements to ensure that your team completes each task by project’s end. Project task list templates are designed to help you capture and track your project’s tasks so that you complete high-quality deliverables on time. 

Though project task list templates vary, they typically include the following universal elements:

• Task: Enter the name of each task so that it’s clear to every team member and stakeholder what needs to be accomplished. 
• Due Date: Provide a date by which each task must be completed so that the project can be delivered on time. 
• Status: Set a status for each task (e.g., Not Started, In Progress, On Hold, or Complete) so that everyone can track project progress. 
• Priority: Select a priority for each project task. 
• Assignee: List the name of the team member responsible for completing each task. 
• Notes: Provide any additional notes that are relevant to the task. 

Depending on their function and their industry, project task list templates might also include the following column components: 

• At Risk: Select this check box if the individual task is in jeopardy of not being completed by the project’s due date.  
• Description: Provide a detailed description for each task so that, in addition to the task title, every project team member and stakeholder understands what the task requires for completion. 
• Deliverable: Specify the primary project deliverable, or feature, that the task is related to. 
• Percentage Complete: Provide a percentage completed for each project task. 
• Cost / Hours: Enter fixed costs, estimated hours, and actual hours for each task so you can track expenses and effort. 
• Duration: Review the duration between each project task’s start and end dates to ensure that teams have adequate time to complete each task.