A project task tracker is a single list of every task in a project, who owns it, when it is due and how far along it is. This free Excel template holds up to 25 tasks with priority and status dropdowns. Days remaining count down automatically, overdue tasks turn red, and the band shows total, completed, in-progress and overdue tasks.
What the task tracker shows at a glance
The band at the top answers the questions a manager asks most:
| Band figure | What it counts |
|---|---|
| TOTAL TASKS | Every row with a Task Name |
| COMPLETED | Tasks with status Complete |
| IN PROGRESS | Tasks with status In progress |
| OVERDUE | Tasks past their due date that are not Complete or Cancelled |
Below the table, a status line lists all five statuses, including Blocked, Not started and Cancelled, and a self-check flags any task that has a name but no status.
Keeping a tracker useful
A tracker only helps if it is up to date. A short weekly review works for most small teams: sort by Due Date, chase anything red, and move any Blocked task forward or reassign it. Keep task names specific (“Send kitchen spec to supplier”, not “Kitchen”), so anyone can tell when the task is finished.
The sheet also flags a due date set before the start date, which usually means a typing slip.
Tracking tasks alongside the money
Tasks show progress; they do not show cost. For a client project, pair this tracker with the project budget template so you can see both what is done and what has been spent.
