Interactive Gantt Chart

What is a Gantt Chart?

A Gantt chart is a horizontal bar chart that visualizes a project schedule over time. Invented by Henry Gantt in the 1910s for manufacturing, it has become one of the most widely used project management tools. Each task is represented as a bar spanning from its start date to end date, making it easy to see the project timeline, task durations, overlaps, and dependencies at a glance.

Key Components of a Gantt Chart

Creating an Effective Gantt Chart

1. Define the project scope: What's included and excluded? Clear scope prevents scope creep from derailing your timeline.
2. Break down work (WBS): Create a Work Breakdown Structure. Decompose deliverables into tasks small enough to estimate.
3. Estimate durations: How long will each task take? Include buffer for unknowns. Consult team members who'll do the work.
4. Identify dependencies: Which tasks must finish before others start? This determines your critical path.
5. Assign resources: Who's responsible for each task? Ensure no one is over-allocated.
6. Set milestones: Mark key deliverables and decision points. These keep stakeholders informed of progress.

Understanding the Critical Path

The Critical Path is the longest sequence of dependent tasks that determines the minimum project duration. Any delay on the critical path delays the entire project. Tasks not on the critical path have "float"—they can slip without affecting the end date. Identifying your critical path helps you focus management attention where it matters most and understand schedule risk.

Gantt Chart Best Practices

• •Update regularly: A Gantt chart is only useful if it reflects reality. Update progress weekly or daily.
• •Keep it readable: Too much detail makes charts unreadable. Use summary tasks for high-level views.
• •Show progress: Use completion percentages or progress bars within task bars to visualize status.
• •Baseline your plan: Save the original schedule to compare against actual progress and measure variance.