← Years 7–8 Data & Information

Breaking a project into tasks

A list of small tasks, each with a clear outcome, written in the order they must be done. It breaks a big project into steps you can plan, time and tick off.

Part of: 7-8 Digital Technologies: Sharing online and managing projects — Module 6

Understanding Breaking a project into tasks in Years 7–8 Data & Information

What it does: The 'Done' part states the clear outcome, so you can tell when the task is complete. Numbering the tasks shows the order, because you cannot test something before it is built. This is a dependency. You need the script before you know what to film, so it must be done first. Estimating time for each task lets you add them up and check that you can finish by the due date. Breaking a big project into small tasks makes it easier to plan, share out and track. A specific estimate lets you plan your timeline. A vague one like 'some time' can't be added up or checked.

Common mistakes: 'Do podcast' is too vague. A task needs a clear outcome you can tick off. It should be something like 'T1 Write script | 2h | none'.}. Printing can't start straight away. It depends on the text (T2) and the images (T3) being finished first. The dependency should be 'T2,T3', not 'none'.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 87–99) and word search (Modules 87–124).

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Learning
Duo
Which is a better task for a project to make a class website?
Write the text for the About pageDo the website
Matches
Task 1 | Make the whole website
↓
The task is too big and has no clear outcome. Break it into smaller steps like 'Sketch the home page' or 'Write the About text'.
Applying
Meanings
Term
task list
Meaning
A list of small tasks, each with a clear outcome, written in the order they must be done. It breaks a big project into steps you can plan, time and tick off.
Practice
Task list: Class podcast
Testing
Gaps
Task : Write the slides | 45 min
Check Answer
Spots
1T1 Do podcast | 2h | none
2T2 Record voices | 1h | T1

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Quick Questions

1. Which is a better task for a project to make a class website?
A. Write the text for the About page ✓
B. Do the website
A good task is small and has a clear outcome. 'Do the website' is too big and vague to tick off.
2. Your team is making a short video. Which order makes sense?
A. Write the script, then film the scenes ✓
B. Film the scenes, then write the script
This is a dependency. You need the script before you know what to film, so it must be done first.
3. True or false: a task list should be written in the order the tasks must be done.
A. True ✓
B. False
Putting tasks in order shows which ones depend on others and helps your team know what to do next.
4. Which task has a clear outcome?
A. Work on the app
B. Draw a wireframe of the home screen ✓
A clear outcome tells you exactly what will be finished. 'Work on the app' doesn't say what will be done.
5. A task list table has columns for the task, who does it, and how long it will take. Why add an estimated time?
A. To make the list look longer
B. To help plan how long the whole project will take ✓
Estimating time for each task lets you add them up and check that you can finish by the due date.

Match the Pairs

Task 2 | Write quiz questions | Needs: Task 1 → A task row with a dependency: Task 2 can only start after Task 1 is finished
Task 4 | Test the game | 30 min → A task row with a time estimate: it says how long the task should take
A task with a clear outcome says exactly what will be finished → Task 1 | Draw the game board on paper | Done: board sketch
A task list puts small tasks in the order they must be done → 1. Plan 2. Build 3. Test 4. Share
Task 1 | Make the whole website → The task is too big and has no clear outcome. Break it into smaller steps like 'Sketch the home page' or 'Write the About text'.
Task 1 | Present the project Task 2 | Build the project → The tasks are in the wrong order. You can't present before you build, so Build should come first.

Key Term

task list
A list of small tasks, each with a clear outcome, written in the order they must be done. It breaks a big project into steps you can plan, time and tick off.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Task 1: Research the topic | 30 min Task 2: Write the slides | 45 min Task 3: Practise the talk | 20 min
Hint: Type the step number that keeps the tasks in the order they must be done.
2. Task 1: Collect photos | 20 min Task 2: Build the slideshow | 40 min Task 3: Present to class | needs Task 2
Hint: Type the number of the task that must be finished before the presentation.
3. Task | Outcome | Time Sketch poster | Sketch finished | 15 min Add colour | Poster coloured in | 30 min
Hint: Type the column heading for the clear result of each task.
4. Task 1: Plan the quiz | 30 min Task 2: Make the quiz | 45 min Total: 30 + 45 = 75 min
Hint: Type the total time by adding the two estimates.
5. Task 1: Plan the video | 20 min Task 2: Film the video | needs Task 1 Task 3: Edit the video | needs Task 2
Hint: Type the word that shows a task depends on an earlier one.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A T1 Do podcast | 2h | none
B T2 Record voices | 1h | T1
C T3 Edit audio | 2h | T2
D T4 Publish episode | 1h | T3
Line A — 'Do podcast' is too vague. A task needs a clear outcome you can tick off. It should be something like 'T1 Write script | 2h | none'.}
Question 2
A T1 Research topic | 2h | none
B T2 Draft text | 1h | T1
C T3 Choose images | 1h | T1
D T4 Print poster | 1h | none
Line D — Printing can't start straight away. It depends on the text (T2) and the images (T3) being finished first. The dependency should be 'T2,T3', not 'none'.
Question 3
A T1 Pick topic | 20min | none
B T2 Research facts | 2h | T1
C T3 Make 10 slides | 1min | T2
D T4 Practise talk | 1h | T3
Line C — Making 10 slides in 1 minute is not a realistic time estimate. A sensible estimate is about 2h, so the line should read 'T3 Make 10 slides | 2h | T2'.
Question 4
A T1 Sketch levels | 1h | T3
B T2 Code the game | 3h | T1
C T3 Test the game | 1h | T2
Line A — The first task can't depend on a later task, because T3 can't happen until T1 is done. T1 has nothing before it, so it should say 'none'.
Question 5
A T1 Plan scenes | 1h | none
B T2 Film all scenes | T1
C T3 Edit clips | 2h | T2
Line B — This task has no time estimate. Every task needs one so the plan can be timed. It should read 'T2 Film all scenes | 2h | T1'.

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