6 Simple Tips for Keeping Jobs on Time and on Budget

Everyone wants to nail their direct mail campaign or deliver a winning multichannel marketing strategy. But success takes more than a bold idea. It demands coordinating people, resources, and timelines, all anchored by strong project management.

Whether you’re managing direct mail, marketing collateral, email, or mobile campaigns, here are six practical steps to move your project from idea to execution on time and within budget.

1. Set Up a Centralized Intake System.

Make it easy for your team to submit job requests by creating a single, streamlined intake point. This could be an inbox like [email protected], a shared drive, or a project management platform.

A centralized system ensures you can monitor, prioritize, and manage work efficiently, keeping things from falling through the cracks.

2. Standardize the Request Process.

Use a uniform request form for every new project—no exceptions.

Ensure that the form gathers complete details, including hard deadlines. Push for precision: “I need it by 5 PM next Friday” instead of “I’ll need it sometime next week.”

Clear, consistent information upfront reduces confusion and saves time later.

3. Map Your Workflow.

Outline each step necessary to complete the project. Recognize that different channels require different workflows. Direct mail, email, and wide-format printing all have distinct processes. Consider every role involved, from design to production, and map out workflows tailored to each department’s needs.

4. Commit to a Realistic Schedule.

Set milestone dates at the outset. When will the project kick-off? When are the first drafts due? How many revision rounds are allowed? How much time is allotted for each approval cycle? A detailed timeline keeps everyone aligned and avoids last-minute scrambles.

5. Speed Up Reviews and Approvals.

Bottlenecks in the approval process are a major productivity killer. A study by Workfront found that over one-third of marketers experience delays due to slow approvals at least twice a week. That’s hundreds of delayed projects each year for busy teams! To keep things moving, assign clear decision-makers for each step.

6. Evaluate and Optimize Regularly

After project completion, assess the results and the process (like how timelines held up). Regular reviews help you spot trends, catch inefficiencies, and fine-tune your approach for even better performance next time.

Great project management doesn’t happen by accident. Thoughtful planning at the start leads to smoother execution and stronger results at the finish line.