The Gantt Chart in Project Management

What is a Gantt Chart?

A type of chart that shows the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) in terms of the start and finish dates of its components, activities and sub-activities.

Brief history of the Gantt Chart

developed by Henry Gantt first major use was during the First World War started as a simple scheduling tool today has many more complex but powerful versions (ex. Gantt Excel, MS Project)

MS Project

http://www.ese.upenn.edu/seniordesign/resources/MS_Project_Tutorial.pdf

Show Gantt Excel

Why Use Gantt Chart?

Can show the relationships between components and activities

which activities to do first so that the next can be started which activities can be done at the same time

Uses of the Gantt Chart?

Can show current schedule status (what has been completed as of today) Can be used to plan strategies to meet expected outputs

How to prepare a Gantt Chart?

1. Refer back to the WBS in outline form. 2. Add columns to contain the time elements (ex, days, weeks, months, years)3. Mark the time schedule when you plan to begin and end an activity

How to prepare a Gantt Chart?

Tip: Imagine that you are already implementing your project. What specific activities will you do when?