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

source: advsofteng.com (click to enlarge image)

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: