Timeline variables - how can I create a chart for this?

[Beartracks]

I need to develop some kind of visual aid for a timeline-type process so that a client can see all the possible durations and end-dates, but the process has so many variables I'm not sure how to begin.

Several of the components in this timeline are of uncertain duration, but do have maximums -- e.g. "Phase A can be no more than six months" and "Phase B can extend up until 12 months since the Event that precipitated Phase A" and stuff like that.

Most every phase and decision point happens in a defined sequence, but not all phases and decision points will even occur depending on the decision points that happen earlier.

So anyhow, what's a good solution for this kind of thing? I'm not wanting to create a project in Microsoft Project, because then I'd have to a) send an entire Project file to the client, and b) learn how to use Project, which may take longer than my boss has given me to produce this graphic. Probably more trouble than it's worth.

Is there any kind of non-dynamic way to do this? Or would I just have to produce numerous iterations of, say, a bar-type timeline graphic to show all the possible ways things could go?

Or perhaps a flowchart? Except the client really needs to see HOW LONG everything could take, not how all the possibilities flow.

Any ideas how to represent such a thing?



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[drray23]

1. whether you want to learn it or not

thats what software like project or others are designed to do.
You will waste more time trying to fudge it with inadequate methods. Learn it or find somebody who knows it. At my workplace we have people who are project support specialists. If you have a big project, you have one of these guys on the team who manages it and is at every meeting to help the project leaders capture whats going on and run scenarios.

[Beartracks]

3. Oddly, this is not, in fact, a "project" that we are working on.

It's just a sequence of events in a contract: "If a certain event happens, then that kicks off this process which can be no longer than X months, after which the customer has X amount of time to decide if they want to do such-and-such, and if they do then they need to give X days' notice before they can implement this-or-that, at the end of which they can terminate the contract -- but only on a specific day of the year."

We are trying to clarify this process -- not, in fact, manage an actual project. Basically, we are needing to demonstrate that in any case the process cannot play out as short as the customer would like it to be.

But if MS Project would be the way to go, I could probably learn enough to chart the steps and their relationships, even if I do need to run it and save a graphic file for multiple scenarios (in order to satisfy all the "what if" questions).

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[nocoincidences]

2. Google flowchart.

It brings up all sorts of templates and apps that can help you organize the information.

Here's one example:

https://templates.office.com/en-us/process-map-for-basic-flowchart-tm16400363