Timelines: what are they and what are they for?
Each and every one of the things that we live, the problems we have, the challenges we face or in general the situations that are part of our lives occur in a continuous space-time, in which at a specific moment a specific event happens. That is to say, everything does not happen in the same moment but rather a more or less prolonged temporal sequence is established.
Understanding a fact means understanding the phenomena that have occurred over time , and often we will have to analyze what has happened in a situation (either because we want to understand our past, establish a chronology or look for the causes of a specific phenomenon). For this it can be very useful to use some type of graphic element that allows us to represent it. One of the options that we have is the one of create timelines .
Related article: "70 phrases about time and the passage of life"
Timelines: what are they?
Timelines are graphical representations in line form whose main function is to allow the correct understanding of the temporal sequence in which one or several phenomena has occurred, indicating through different marks in the line the different steps or main elements that have been marking the element that we are analyzing and noting the time or period in which these steps have occurred.
For example, we can establish a timeline with the events that have marked our life from our birth to the present, marking the points that we consider key. Another example would be the analysis of a problem or an element of interest, such as the bankruptcy of a company or the acquisition of a learning or skill, observing the elements that have been driving towards it over time.
It is also possible to elaborate several time lines on different situations or variables and compare them in order to visually determine if there could be a relationship between them have any common point.
Creation of timelines: steps
Creating a timeline can be very useful in multiple areas and in order to analyze different aspects . However you can not begin to write down elements without more, but it requires a series of steps and the consideration of different elements.
To elaborate a timeline it is fundamental to take into account and follow a series of steps:
1. Rate and decide what we want to represent and why
This step seems very logical, but it is essential for the timeline to make sense . It is mainly important to assess the type of data that we are going to reflect and determine which should appear and which should not. If for example we set out to make a timeline of the development of the Roman Empire throughout history, it will not be necessary to explain what happened in territories not linked to it, or write down details about the day to day of a subject in concrete. It is about maintaining a certain coherence and representing only the main and most important elements.
2. Establish temporary limits
Another important step is to take into account where the temporal limits of the representation that we are going to make are . If we are analyzing the causes of a specific problem that happened a year ago, it is not necessary for our graph to continue to this day (unless it is specifically required, for example if the problem has not been solved). It is necessary to decide in advance that date will start our graph and which will end.
3. Determine the scale of measurement
Our future representation already has a theme and objective and a beginning and end raised. But what kind of temporary divisions are we going to do? We are talking about annotating hours, weeks, years, centuries, stages ... It is necessary to have it clear so that we can situate the different phenomena in the timeline.
4. Collection and selection of the most relevant data
Once we have decided what we are going to represent in the timeline and how to do it, you can proceed to collect and / or decide which elements are going to be exposed . This step may have been done previously before thinking about how it will be represented. On the one hand, this process can be greatly influenced by the choice of the temporary periods to be measured and the chosen scale, but on the other it can be the one that marks them.
5. Preparation of the line and the marks that will represent the different steps that have been highlighted
Once this is done, we can proceed to draw the line and the divisions that we are going to make of the chosen temporal sequence.
6. Positioning of the data
Finally the chosen data will be placed, ordered chronologically and noting also the temporary moment in which the event occurred.
Other aspects and considerations of the creation of timelines
Apart from the previous steps, it is necessary to take into account that the timeline is a simple graphical representation and. We do not have to insert explanations in it, simply the events or milestones that have been happening over time. Neither opinions nor subjective elements unless they are what we are measuring. The language should be clear and concise.
The line drawn is going to be a line, since it marks the events in the temporal and non-functional plane. By this we mean, for example, that we are not making an outline of how something works but how it has worked over time. Even though we may consider that time is something cyclical, we are going to be referring generally to specific dates.
In addition to being able to be done manually, nowadays we have multiple options to elaborate timelines in different applications and computer programs. For example, applications such as Timetoast (in which you can also add images), Tiki-Toki or Timelinr. In a much more rudimentary way it is also possible to perform them in well-known programs such as Microsoft Excel.
