What is a Timeline with Examples?

Last Updated : 11 Jun, 2024

A timeline is a chronological presentation of several events. As such it helps put information along a straight line and analyze the sequence of events in the process. Timelines are ubiquitous in the studies of histories, business management, and many other disciplines to show the correlation of various events and how they transpire in a given period.

In this article, we are going to discuss the timeline in detail. We will also discuss Types of Timelines, How to create them with proper examples, etc.

Primary Terminologies

Timeline: A setting of activities in chronological order drawn in the form of a drawing.
Chronology: The desired arrangement of the activities or the date on which any of the activities are supposed to be accomplished.
Event: An event is commonly a momentous incident that happens in a timeline or timeline/chronology.
Milestone: An effective occurrence in the date that determines the progress in a certain project or history timeline.
Duration: Time is the most comprehensive aspect of duration which indicates the period for which a particular event goes on or for which it remains in force.
Interval: A Time slot shared by two events one which begins while the other occurs at a later time within the stipulated period.

Types of Timelines

Horizontal Timeline: This type of timeline shows events stretched horizontally, and this makes it most suitable for sequences of activities planned one beside the other. It is therefore most suitable for timelines that are oriented mainly on simple events and activities whereby one event is lined up in parallel with another it is therefore most appropriate for those simple types of timelines that are more concerned with basic sequences of events and activities. This type is referred to as the horizontal bar and unlike the vertical time scale that is commonly used to depict time this one is used in other methods like the depiction of time within project timelines with time going from left to right.
Vertical Timeline: It is positioned along the vertical axis in case its measure is taken in order to monitor it in a situation when the interval between the occurrence of some event and the appearance of the first positive symptom may be very long. When it comes to such products and, to a greater extent, teaching materials, infographics, or any other work, the tender is widely used.
Interactive Timeline: These are some of the physical points/objects that the users will be able to touch with regard to the timeline and other icons/ markers depicted in the images such as those shown on the icons on the images when we click on them. These are the most favorable when more details are needed especially for references in websites and presentations.
Static Timeline: So, what we do not see is an active dynamic representation of the context of activities and interactional features which are typical for a specific time interval. They are usually found where there is printed documents such as text, papers, articles, collection of reports, among others.
Gantt Chart: It concerns one of the ways in which the use of the physical bar chart can be applied to disguise the time of a particular project. A graphic display of the time-related quadruple of activities that take place within a project and the time estimate for each used in project scheduling and planning.
Chronological Timeline: It is not as formal organized as stated ‘listed cleansed’ format, which is divided between subtopics/subcategories, and does not hesitate to depict the chronology.

How to Create a Timeline?

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Define The Purpose: First of all, it is vital to determine what you want to achieve with a particular timeline: to focus on specific moments, to attract the viewers’ attention to particular elements or something like that. That could be with regard to history or a dream that one wants to achieve when handling projects and or in one’s life.
Collect Data: Make sure you have conducted your homework properly and make sure that you have all the relevant information which is required if you are depicting certain event. The corresponding dates have to be accurate, and generally any descriptions which are provided concerning the work.
Select The Format: That means you would prefer a fixed timeline model or a vertical structure or you would prefer more dynamic time line.
Organize Events: Explain what events the symbols relate to and put the events in the right time frame. Identify any significant milestones.
Create The Timeline: Other similar free to use softwares for drawing include Google Drawings or MS Paint or draw. CONNECTIONS to build your timeline on. Insert dates into the following template, describe all the items and put some pictures to make it looking better.

Examples of Timelines

Example 1: Historical Timeline

Title: Main Historical Events of the Twentieth Century

1900: The early part of twentieth century
1914-1918: World War I
1929: It is in this year that the depression which would come to be referred to as the Great Depression starts.
1939-1945: World War II
1969: Apollo 11 landing on moon
1989: Fall of Berlin wall
2000: 21st century started

Example 2: Project Management Timeline

Title: New Product Launch

January 2024: Project Kickoff
February 2024: Market Research
April 2024: Product Design
July 2024: Prototype Development
September 2024: Testing and QA
November 2024: Marketing Campaign
December 2024: Product Launch

Conclusion

A Gantt chart is an acceptable form of timeline which is beneficial for sorting events by date and arranging them in a visually appealing manner. All in all, it helps when used in various fields to give a simpler method of understanding the sequence of an occurrence. If all the mentioned steps are followed, you may easily set right timelines that will transmit the necessary information.