Gantt chart: definition of the essential tool for planning project tasks
The Gantt chart: is its definition clear to you? You may be familiar with the name, but you may not yet be familiar with its contours.
The difference with the PERT network, the benefits for the project manager and the Excel example: this article explains everything you need to know about this project management task planning tool.
What is a Gantt chart?
Definition and origins
The Gantt chart is a table used in project management. It provides a highly graphical presentation of the various tasks in a project and their completion times:
- the tasks (and sometimes the posts responsible for carrying them out) are shown on the vertical axis of the chart ;
- the abscissa shows the units of time (days, weeks, months) chosen to sequence the project.
It is used to visualise the time required to complete each task over an entire project. Each task is represented by a horizontal bar.
The origins of the Gantt chart: the first chart was devised by the Polish engineer Karol Adamiecki in the 1890s. But if it bears the name Gantt today, it's because the American Henry Gantt redesigned it in the 1910s to give it the form still used today.
When should you use the Gantt chart?
The Gantt chart has been designed to respond to most project management issues, in all areas of activity. Its simple visual elements make it an indispensable project management tool.
This tool is used in the project design phase, before operational tasks are launched, to obtain an overall view of the tasks to be carried out and a provisional schedule.
It is then used by project managers throughout the project, where it is adjusted and updated to reflect the actual progress of tasks.
What is the difference between Gantt and PERT diagrams?
The Gantt diagram highlights the deadlines for your project, but also the milestones that sequence it. Very often, a milestone corresponds to the delivery of a deliverable.
Unlike the Gantt, the PERT or PERT network diagram shows the dependency and sequence of tasks linked by arrows. It highlights the critical path: the shortest sequence of tasks to be completed between the start of the project and its delivery.
Example of a PERT network where the critical path is shown in colour:
Why use a Gantt chart? 5 benefits for project managers
- Helps with project planning: the diagram provides a visual presentation of the scheduling of tasks and, thanks to its overall view, makes it possible to anticipate delays or budget overruns. As a result, project progress and costs are better controlled.
- It improves work organisation: you get a complete overview of the project structure, based on lists of tasks represented graphically with their start, finish and duration, as well as their logical sequence and any overlaps.
- It facilitates resource management: it helps you to improve your organisation, and in particular the allocation of resources to each stage of the project, while optimising your time. As a result, you can improve the performance of your teams over the entire duration of the project.
- It encourages risk management: thanks to its dynamic format, the Gantt chart can be updated regularly and tasks reorganised at any time to adjust the actual against the forecast. The chart is not static, and the original version is likely to be different by the end of the project.
- It serves as a communication medium: it is above all a collaborative tool; it is not intended to be used solely by project managers. It is a visual planner shared by all the members, who thus have access to all the information relating to the project: it makes communication easier within the team.
[Free] Example of an Excel Gantt chart
Looking to create a Gantt chart to track your project? Appvizer has created a free Excel template for you to download.
Customise it with your tasks and deadlines, and update it as you go!
How do I make a Gantt chart?
The definition of a Gantt chart no longer holds any secrets for you, and you now even have a model chart. Still not sure?
In our dedicated article, we take you through the 6 steps to creating a Gantt chart, along with our tips for success and recommendations for Gantt software.
Do you use this task planning tool on a daily basis? What do you think are its advantages and disadvantages?
Article translated from French