How to Use a Gantt Chart to Plan a Project

Project management is not an easy job, there are so many contributing factors which need to be carefully monitored. Without proper tracking it would be very hard to successfully complete the project, especially if it involved many teams. There may be several different companies and teams involved at various times throughout the project so it is important that all of them are aware of the project plan, dependencies with each other and how to communicate with each teams.

With so many different people and tasks which need to be managed it can be useful to use diagrams or a Gantt chart to make sure everything progresses as it should. Gantt charts doesn’t have to be complex, we provide some extremely easy to use tools, objects and template so you can create Gantt charts faster.

Project management is not an easy job. In general 37% of projects fail while that number reaches around 60% for IT projects. A single project can involve multiple companies and teams so managing different people and tasks can be a tedious task. Because of the risks involved proper planning is critical for a completion of a successful project. A Gantt chart gives a visual picture of the whole project in an easy to understand format.

You can plan almost anything using a Gantt chart

A Gantt chart can be used to produce an accurate timescale for the project as well as:

• Breaking down the structure
• Showing team members how their work relates to others
• Schedule of work on a day to day basis throughout the entire duration
• Able to be used in the critical path method

Identifying the Processes for Project Planning

In order to produce a Gantt chart it is essential that you know all of the processes involved. This means that you will need to use a flow chart or arrow chart to go through each of the steps which are required to make sure the project is completed. Once you have these basic processes it is then necessary to work out how long each of the tasks will last, and how many resources are needed to complete the task.

Once you have a list of all these processes and their relevant information it is then time to identify the sequence of events. You will have to know which of the processes can only begin after certain tasks have already carried out and which ones have to be completed at certain milestones throughout the project.

Mapping the Processes to the Gantt Chart

Once you have all this information it is then a great idea to get it down on paper in the form of a chart. By doing so it allows you to see the whole of the project from start to finish and share your plan with others.
Creating the chart itself can be a little tricky if you are doing it from scratch. You will need a horizontal axis which indicates the time. The time can be broken down into days or weeks depending on which scale is the most appropriate for your plan. On the left of the page is where you need to add each of the tasks as well as the milestones.

Make sure you add the length each step will take and highlight vital dates such as specific milestones if and when they relate to the set task. For each of the tasks create a bar which spans the right length of time for easy viewing and make sure you have included each of the processes.

Alternatively it can be a lot easier to use Creately which has readymade Gantt chart templates for project management processes. All you need to do then is add your relevant information to the chart by typing in the text and adding extra processes if you need to. Creately is especially useful for sharing with all the team even if some of the work is to be carried out by companies or departments overseas.

Easy to use Gantt chart template

Sharing and Working Together for the Success of the Project

You can quickly share your Gantt chart via email and add each of the team members to the chart so they are able to add their comments and documents with the rest of the team and discuss the project together. You can even add charts like this to websites with ease and share the information with your clients so they are able to track the progress of the project. This can reduce the need for constant feedback to be provided to worried clients and allow you to continue working without as many interruptions or logistical issues getting in the way.

Visually collaborate on the project plan using easy to use Gantt chart templates

Using the Information to Your Advantage

Once you have your completed chart you can use it to determine to time that you require in order to complete the project. You can pass on information regarding the completion date to your client and also allow the team members to see when their part in the project needs to be completed.

The information can be broken down into days so that a project manager is able to see how many people or working on the project on any one day, which teams are currently involved and what steps may need to be taken if a problem halts the progression of the finalised plan. In short a simple chart of this nature provides all the information required for project planning and scheduling to be used by multiple people including the client to help everyone stay on track and informed from the start to finish.

References
Gantt Chart: http://asq.org/learn-about-quality/project-planning-tools/overview/gantt-chart.html [Accessed 23/02/12]