A Gantt chart is a visual tool that’s used to illustrate a project schedule. It helps project managers in getting a complete picture of their project, allowing them to plan and account for every step of the project.
Additionally, Gantt charts also account for dependencies between tasks, allowing its users to arrange all their tasks in any order that they wish, ensuring that the project has a steady stream of completion without being impeded by any dependency.
While most Gantt charts these days are made with the aid of various project management software, it’s still helpful to know the ins and outs of this helpful tool. Thus, in this article, we’re going to take a look into how Gantt charts are made, as well as their various types and examples.
Basic Components Of A Gantt Chart
What does a Gantt chart look like? A Gantt Chart consists of a horizontal axis, with bar charts stretching across horizontally. The axis is used to represent time; the bar charts are used to represent various tasks that must be undertaken to finish each project. The length of the bar chart is used to represent how much time it will take to finish a project—if a bar chart is short in length, the time taken to finish that particular task will also be short.
The bar charts are joined by arrows that show us the relationship between tasks. For example, if Task A needs to be finished to start Task B, then an arrow will point from Task A to Task B. These arrows are often called dependencies and are used to signify the relationship between the tasks.
Gantt Chart Examples For Project Management
Below, there are a few examples of Gantt charts being used for different purposes.
A basic type of Gantt Chart like this one is applicable to most projects. It includes a task list with start and end dates, alongside additional columns for duration and notes. The delivery timeline visually displays all the data that’s entered in the task lists, giving a holistic view of the project.
This Gantt chart also acts as a sample—it’s a basic Gantt chart template that can be customized to its users needs.
This Gantt chart can be used to plan the construction of a building, showing the different phases of construction, such as foundation work, framing, roofing, and finishing work. The tasks are laid out on a timeframe, giving an overhead view of the project that allows managers to carefully plan the entire project.
Additionally, the task list on the left makes it easy to add or remove tasks based on the specific project.
This Gantt chart is geared towards projects that utilize an Agile framework. As such, users can track the progress of the project on a task-by-task basis, and plan sprints accordingly. It also allows users to implement Agile-related features such as story points.
An example of an agile project that can make use of this Gantt chart is software development—it can be used to plan the development, showing the different tasks involved, such as coding, testing, and deployment.
This type of Gantt chart can be used to plan a marketing campaign, showing the different activities involved, such as creating marketing materials, running advertising campaigns, and tracking results. Unlike the previous templates, columns are divided into phases, making it a good fit for marketing campaigns that escalate their activities over time.
A project plan Gantt chart template provides a standardized framework for managing project timelines. Its structured approach facilitates project planning by encouraging a systematic breakdown of tasks, highlighting dependencies to prevent bottlenecks and enabling realistic scheduling through visualization.
An example of this Gantt chart is project proposals—it acts as a foundational tool for the project, showcasing an estimate of how the project will pan out.
How To Make A Gantt Chart?
Instead of relying on templates, anyone can simply just construct their own using various free Gantt chart software. To create a Gantt chart, one must:
Define Scope: The first step is all about establishing the scope of the project, setting goals and identifying milestones
Create Activities: Once the goals and milestones are set, the next step is to create all the relevant activities that feed into these milestones. A good way to go about it is to use Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), as it breaks down tasks into smaller parts, making it a good fit for Gantt Charts
Sequence Tasks: Determine which tasks needs to be finished before the other can begin. Once these dependencies have been identified, properly arrange the tasks in a sequential order
Estimate: Resources and duration for the task must both be estimated to ensure that the estimated timelines are as accurate as possible. During this step, project managers must be wary and identify any constraints that can hamper either resources or time
Construct the Chart: Construct the Gantt Chart by taking all the relevant information and feeding it to a project management tool that supports Gantt charts. Software such as Asana Software and Wrike Software can be used as they not only feature in-built Gantt chart functionality, but also allow their users to customize it to their needs
Monitor Progress: Regularly review and update the Gantt chart so that the information is as accurate as it can be
