Deadline Backward Planner
Name the deliverable and its immovable deadline. This tool schedules every phase backward from that date — with an automatic 20% buffer — so you finish early, not late.
What must be delivered, and when?
Days reserved at the very end for final review and fixes. (Enter 0 to skip.)
Break the work into phases
List the major phases in the order you will do them, with your honest estimate of working days for each. The tool schedules them backward from the deadline and inserts a buffer automatically.
Your plan
Read top-down: the deadline is at the top, the start date at the bottom. Assumes calendar days. Buffer blocks are highlighted.
Scope-cut options — reclaim days
Tick phases to cut, or shrink the buffer, then recalculate. Cutting scope is a last resort; do it deliberately, not by accident.
Take it with you
Go Deeper
Backward planning is one of the most reliable ways to hit a hard date. Browse the Made Simple library for more practical tools on planning, productivity, and getting things done.