Gantt Charts Demystified: A Look at One of the Most Popular Project Visualization Methods
For over a century, the Gantt charts have reigned as one of the go-to techniques for project management, scheduling, and visualization.
Because Gantt charts allow you to represent complex projects and their timelines visually, they have become an indispensable asset for managers and teams alike. Despite being in widespread use, many still don’t know how and when to use a Gantt chart, how it differs from other project visualization methods, etc.
A Quick History of Gantt
The Gantt chart is named after Henry L. Gantt, an American mechanical engineer and management consultant who developed this visualization tool in the early 1910s to help with the challenges of managing and scheduling complex projects.
Gantt charts gained significant prominence during World War I. They were widely used to schedule the production of war materials, earning them the moniker "The Arsenal of Democracy." Gantt charts played a pivotal role in ensuring the efficient production of armaments and supplies.
Some notable projects planned with Gantt charts include:
- The Hoover Dam
- The United States Interstate Highway System
- The Apollo moon landing missions
How Gantt Charts are Typically Used
Despite being created to handle complex projects of a massive scale, Gantt charts are versatile tools and are regularly used for a wide range of projects, including:
- Project Management: Gantt charts help project managers create detailed project schedules, assign tasks, and track progress.
- Construction: In construction projects, Gantt charts are used to schedule and coordinate tasks, from laying foundations to finishing touches.
- Event Planning: Event organizers use Gantt charts to manage tasks leading up to an event, such as booking venues, catering, and entertainment.
- Product Development: Gantt charts assist in managing product development processes, from design to launch.
- Research: Researchers use Gantt charts to plan and monitor the progress of research projects and experiments.
Components of a Gantt Chart
Regardless of how complex or deep a project is, a Gantt chart will typically consist of several key components:
- Task List: A comprehensive list of all the tasks or activities that need to be completed for the project.
- Timeline: The timeline runs horizontally, representing the project's duration, usually in days, weeks, or months.
- Task Bars: Each task is represented by a bar placed along the timeline, showing when each task starts and ends, the length of which signifies the task's duration.
- Dependencies: Arrows or lines between task bars indicate task dependencies, showing which tasks must be completed before others can begin.
How Gantt Charts Differ from Timelines
While Gantt charts and timelines might seem similar, they have distinctive differences. Both Timelines and Gantt charts display a project's tasks or activities over time. However, a Gantt Chart will use bars or blocks to represent the duration of each task and show task dependencies. Gantt charts are excellent for visualizing project schedules and task sequences.
Timelines, on the other hand, are a more simplified representation of events or tasks over time. They lack the task dependency visualization that Gantt charts offer and are often used for showcasing historical events, personal milestones, or simple schedules.
Common Alternatives to Gantt Charts
While Gantt charts have been an incredibly valuable project management tool over the years, they are not always the best fit for every project. There are many alternatives that might work better, depending on the project’s size, scope, needs, etc:
- Timelines: Timelines are simpler and more intuitive for straightforward schedules.
- Kanban Boards: Kanban boards are ideal for visualizing work in progress and are often used in agile project management.
- PERT Charts: Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) charts are great for complex projects with numerous dependencies.
- Project Management Software: Modern project management software often includes Gantt chart features along with collaboration and other tools.
Does Taskworld Offer Gantt Charts?
In Taskworld, we call it “Timeline View.” We also offer the ability to add dependencies to your task, regardless of the view you’re using.
Adding dependencies to any project or task in Taskworld can be done easily inside the Properties section. Simply navigate to the Properties tab in a Task, and look for Dependency (under Description and Location - third from top). Click the Plus, and you’ll have the option to link any other tasks as dependencies to be completed before starting on this task.
By adding dependencies to your project or task, you can get most of the Gantt chart experience you expect while enjoying all of Taskworld’s other useful features like integrated chat, project tracking, file storage, and more.
Plus, with Taskworld, you’re not stuck in Gantt mode. You can shift your project view at any time, depending on your project needs. Kanban (board), Timeline, and Table views are available with a simple click.
