Gantt ChartsGantt Chartsfor project management

Jeff Barratt

Supply Chain and Operations Management

Dr. Tom Foster

Marriott School of Management

Brigham Young University

What is a Gantt Chart

Gantt Chart Applications

Gantt Chart Example

Gantt Chart Exercise

What is a Gantt Chart?• A visual representation of a project over

time– Used to schedule, coordinate, and allocate

the resources needed to complete a project– Shows start, end, and specific target dates

called “milestones”

Benefits of Gantt Charts• Efficiency Increase

– Project tracking– Set deadlines

• Communication Increase

• Coordination Increase

• Provides motivation through scheduling

• Encourages creativity

Features of Gantt Charts

• Easy to create– Freehand Gantt charts– Microsoft Excel– Microsoft Project– SmartDraw, Primavera, and other programs.

• Easy to modify and adjust

• Simple to understand

Disadvantages of Gantt Charts

• Activity descriptions often lack detail

• A lack of precedent and subsequent task relationships

• Does not allow for uncertain situations such as late or early finish times.

How Can This Tool Be Used in Your Organization?

• Upcoming projects?

• Communication barriers?

• Time restraints?

Gantt Chart Fundamentals• Separate tasks are listed in vertical rows

• Time spans horizontally along the top

• Each task is represented by a bar along the time horizon

How to Create a Gantt Chart using Microsoft Project

Enter Task Name

Choose task duration

Adjust start and end times

List any resources to be used

ExerciseWater Tight Security Systems

just got a bid for installing the security system

on a new government building…

Exercise continued• Schedule the project’s completion using a

Gantt chart. Include the following steps:

– Test the system (0.5 days)

– Install the system (4 days)

– Order and await supplies (9 days)

– Evaluate facility’s security needs (4 days)

– Schedule installation time (1 day)

– Installation crew travel (2 days)

Solution

Real World Examples• Government Uses

– Hoover Dam construction, 1931– Interstate Highway Network, begun 1956

• Private Uses– Specific projects such as launching a new

product– Construction planning such as building a

home– Personal planning

Medical School ApplicationID Task Name Start Finish

1 Prepare for and takeMCAT

Mon4/24/06

Tue 8/15/06

2 Receive MCAT results Mon9/25/06

Mon9/25/06

3 Research Schools Mon11/6/06

Thu 4/26/07

4 Take final sciencecourse

Tue 1/9/07 Thu 4/26/07

5 Apply to selectedschools

Thu 3/29/07 Tue 5/1/07

6 SecondaryApplications

Mon 7/2/07 Fri 7/27/07

7 Interview at selectschools

Mon10/1/07

Fri 1/18/08

8 Review acceptances Tue 12/4/07 Fri 3/28/08

9 Choose school toattend

Tue 3/11/08 Fri 3/28/08

9/25

US News,MSAR

Chem 481

AMCAS

send money,write essays

Travel

3/26/06 5/21/06 7/16/06 9/10/06 11/5/06 12/31/06 2/25/07 4/22/07 6/17/07 8/12/07 10/7/07 12/2/07 1/27/08 3/23/08 5/18/08

A Personal Planning Example:

Additional Information• Microsoft Office homepage • Academy of Management Journal. 2002,Vol. 45, No. 5,

956-970. “Charting Time: Timelines as Temporal Boundary Objects.” Elaine K. Yakura.

• Cost Engineering. Vol.47/No.7 July 2005, 14-21. “Effective Use of Gantt Chart for Managing Large Scale Projects.” Pankaja Pradeep Kumar, CCE.

Link

Additional Information Cont.• IEE Engineering Management. June/July 2003.

“Uncharted Territory?” Alan Orr. • Project Management Fifth Edition, 1995. Harold

Derzner, Ph.D. Pp 705-711.• See also:

– Program evaluation and review technique (PERT)– Critical path method (CPM)

SummarySummary

• Gantt charts are visual representations of a project over time. – Includes start, finish, and milestone dates.– Useful in project planning and tracking.– Helpful in resource communication and

allocation