Concept map template in Word and Pdf formats from nursing concept mapping template , image source: www.dexform.com
Each week brings new jobs, emails, files, and job lists. Just how much of that is different from the work you’ve done? Odds are, not much. A number of our daily tasks are variants on something.
Do not reinvent the wheel each time you start something new. Use templates–standardized documents with formatting and text as starting point for work. Once you save a version of the template add, remove, or change any info for that record, and you’ll have the new job completed in a fraction of the time.
Templates work anywhere: in word processors, spreadsheets, project management apps, survey platforms, and email. Here’s the way to use templates from your favorite apps–and to create documents from a template–so it’s possible to get your common tasks done faster.
Templates take time to construct, and it’s easy to wonder if they are worth the investment. The answer: absolutely. Editing a template requires far less time than formatting something. It’s the distinction between retyping it, or copying and pasting some text.
That’s not the only advantage: Using a template means you are less inclined to leave out key information, also. For example, if you need to send freelance writers a contributor agreement, modifying a standard contract template (instead of composing a new contract each time) guarantees you won’t leave out that crucial clause about possessing the material once you’ve paid for this.
Templates additionally guarantee consistency. Maybe you send customers or investors regular project updates. With a template, you understand the upgrade will always have the formatting, layout, and standard arrangement.
How to Create Great Templates
Not many templates are created equal–and some things don’t require a template. Here are a couple of tips to follow.
First, templates must be comprehensive. So err on the side of adding rather than too small, it’s easier to delete information than add it in.
Imagine you’re developing a template of your own resume. You’d want to record in-depth facts so you’ll have all the info you want to apply for almost any job.
You can always delete notes that are less-important later on, but you may forget it at the last 25, if it is not from the template.
Some tools will automatically fill in these factors for you (more on this in a little ). But if you have to fill in the information on your own, include some text that’s simple and obvious to search for so you can locate.