Gantt Chart – Timeline
What is a Gantt Chart? A Gantt chart is a graphical depiction of a project schedule. It is a type of bar chart that shows the start and finish dates of several elements of a project that include resources, milestones, tasks, and dependencies. Henry Gantt, an American mechanical engineer, designed the Gantt chart.
A Gantt chart is a project management tool assisting in the planning and scheduling of projects of all sizes, and they are particularly useful for simplifying complex projects or indeed, writing a bid or tender.
Predicted Project Timeline
Consider this. You are planning a two year project: You need to factor in the Preparatory Phase (3 months); Setting up management structures (2 months); Planning for dissemination and publicity (6 months); carrying out the project – the Implementation phase (15 months) and concluding the project including evaluation and deciding on next steps (4 months).
Using Excel, produce a Gantt Chart to illustrate these phases of the project.
M 01 | M 03 | M 06 | M 09 | M 12 | M 15 | M 18 | M 21 | M 24 | |
Preparatory Phase P |
|
| |||||||
Setting up management |
| ||||||||
Structures M | |||||||||
Dissemination D |
|
| |||||||
Carrying out the project I |
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Concluding the project C |
| ||||||||
Steering group meetings S |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Final conference F |
|
Further reading on how to create timelines using Gantt charts: