Start with the required milestone
Ask what the institution actually requires: submission, acceptance, online publication, issue assignment or database indexing. These are different events. Record the exact rule and obtain clarification if the wording is ambiguous.
Schedule preparation tasks separately
Allow time for analysis, writing, coauthor review, editing, formatting and declarations. Identify the person responsible for each task. A polished document can still be delayed by missing author approvals or an unresolved data question.
Allow for independent editorial decisions
Journal screening, reviewer availability and revision requests can alter the schedule. Published turnaround figures are descriptions of previous experience, not promises for your article. “Fast preparation” should never be interpreted as “guaranteed fast acceptance.”
Use a fallback plan
Choose a suitable alternative journal and keep the files organized for retargeting. Do not submit simultaneously unless the relevant journals explicitly permit it. When a deadline is approaching, explain the actual status accurately instead of treating a submission acknowledgement as an acceptance letter.