So What is a Gantt Chart?

Time is the scarcest resource and unless it is managed nothing else can be managed - Peter Drucker

If you are in Project Management then you have probably heard of or used a Gantt Chart.

First invented by Henry Gantt around 1910. Yes the Gantt chart has been around a long time.

It is a useful tool to set and then monitor the timeline of your project. Often called ‘The Programme’ it is a list of tasks to which you attribute time and is shown in graphical format. A start date, a finish date and everything in between. Track project milestones, determine critical path, establish which task have either some lead or some lag.

In some industries there are professional planners whose sole role is to produce and monitor against the Gantt Chart.

There are various ways to produce a Gantt Chart. Originally pen and graph paper were used, but now there are a variety of software options. Here we think Asta has the edge, it is however very technical. MS Project is very user friendly and looks great in a document. You can of course use Excel. There are various free versions on the internet. Asana is popular. Monday.com has them. And then there are new challengers such as Mr Gantt. Some are free. Some have add-ons and lots are subscription based.

Most have extra features to help you. From tracking your project, managing budget, allocating resources and importantly allowing you to report to your customer, sponsor or team.

Whatever your choice, it’s important to keep task lengths short, no longer than two weeks. Some would say one! To determine your critical path. Include a planning period before your project starts. Get buy-in from all stakeholders. Monitor all the way through.

If you would like to find out how to use Gantt Charts effectively, please get in touch.