Marketing Planning - To-Do List (Client View)

Last updated on June 1, 2024 | Template Version v1.2 | Client View - Marketing Planning To-Do List

Excel Template for Marketing Planning – Client View To-Do List

This comprehensive Excel template is specifically designed for Marketing Planning purposes, structured as a dynamic To-Do List with a focus on the Client View. Tailored to support marketing professionals and client-facing teams, this template enables seamless collaboration between agencies and their clients by providing a clear, organized, and interactive platform for tracking marketing initiatives from conception to completion.

Sheet Names

The workbook contains three primary sheets designed for clarity, functionality, and user experience:

1. 1. To-Do List (Client View) – The main dashboard where all marketing tasks are listed with client-specific details.
2. 2. Task Tracker & Status Updates – A hidden or restricted sheet for internal team use to log progress, assign owners, and update statuses.
3. 3. Dashboard & Analytics – Visual summaries showing task completion rates, timelines, and workload distribution.

Table Structures

The core of the template is the To-Do List (Client View) sheet, which features a structured table with 10 columns. The table dynamically expands to accommodate new tasks and includes filtering and sorting capabilities.

Structure of To-Do List (Client View) Table

Formulas Required

The template uses several built-in Excel formulas to enhance functionality and maintain data integrity:

• Auto-Generated Task ID: In cell A2 (and down), use =IF(B2<>"", "MKT-"&TEXT(ROW()-1,"000"), ""). This creates MTK-001, MTK-002, etc., based on row number.
• Due Date Validation: Use Data Validation with custom formula: =AND(D2>=TODAY(), D2<>"") to prevent past or empty due dates.
• Status Color Coding: Conditional formatting based on Status column (see below).
• Days Remaining Calculation: In a hidden column, use =IF(D2<>"", D2-TODAY(), "") to show how many days until deadline.
• Status Summary in Dashboard: Use formulas like COUNTIF(StatusColumn, "Completed") and COUNTA(TaskIDColumn) to calculate completion percentage.

Conditional Formatting

To improve readability and visual prioritization, the template includes conditional formatting rules applied to the main To-Do List:

• Task Status Colors:
  • "Not Started" → Light Gray background
  • "In Progress" → Light Blue
  • "On Hold" → Yellow
  • "Completed" → Green (with checkmark icon)
• Due Date Alerts:
  • If due date is within 3 days: Highlight cell red.
  • If due date is in the next 7 days: Highlight cell orange.
• Priority Highlighting:
  • "Critical" → Dark Red background with bold text
  • "High" → Orange
  • "Medium" → Yellow
  • "Low" → Light Gray
• Empty Cells: Highlight blank Task Name or Due Date fields in light red to prompt data entry.

Instructions for the User

1. Open the Template: Launch Excel and open the "Marketing Planning – Client View To-Do List.xlsx" file.
2. Add a New Task: Click on any row below the header and fill in all required columns. Use dropdowns for consistency.
3. Update Status: From the Status dropdown, select the current state of each task. This automatically updates colors and dashboard metrics.
4. Set Priorities: Assign "High" or "Critical" priority to urgent tasks to ensure visibility on dashboards.
5. Add Notes: Use the Comments column for client feedback, meeting outcomes, or resource links (e.g., design mockups).
6. Review the Dashboard: Navigate to the "Dashboard & Analytics" sheet to monitor overall progress, workload balance, and upcoming deadlines.
7. Save and Share: Save a copy with your client’s name (e.g., "Marketing Plan – ClientX.xlsx"). Share via email or cloud storage. Disable editing on the Dashboard for client safety.

Example Rows

Recommended Charts and Dashboards

The Dashboard & Analytics sheet includes interactive visualizations to support strategic Marketing Planning:

• Task Status Pie Chart: Shows percentage of tasks in each status (Completed, In Progress, etc.).
• Status Timeline Gantt Chart: Horizontal bars showing task start and end dates.
• Prioritized Workload Bar Graph: Displays number of tasks by priority level.
• Upcoming Deadlines Calendar (Mini): A calendar grid highlighting due dates in the next 14 days.
• Completion Rate Line Chart: Tracks % completed over time (e.g., weekly updates).

This template ensures transparency, accountability, and strategic alignment—making it ideal for collaborative Marketing Planning, where a clean, intuitive To-Do List in a clear Client View enhances project execution and client satisfaction.