Gantt chart in Project Management is basically a visual view of the tasks that are scheduled over time. They are needed for planning of all projects of all sizes and they are quite a useful way of displaying which work is scheduled to be executed on a specific day. Gantt charts help you in viewing.

1. Agile Marketing With Gantt Charts 2017

Create Effective Gantt Chart for a Project –is a complicated process and often involves juggling several tasks at once. This is true of all kinds of projects—be it managing a home, or a particularly difficult, or a civil contractor.When there are one or two tasks, it is easy for a to remember what is to be done when, and how. But what if there are multiple strands of activities, some interconnected? How does one keep track of all tasks to ensure that the project is completed, completed well, and completed well in time? Project scheduling and management, project management software & othersHere’s where Gantt chart come into the picture. They are a visual representation of the tasks in a project. The Gantt chart has its origins in 1896, when a Polish engineer, used a similar chart to depict production schedules.

He called it the harmonogram, and since it was published in Polish and Russian, it remained largely unknown. Concurrently, an American called designed a similar chart, and it is his name that the chart now bears.The chart was used extensively in production engineering.

Soon, with the advent of computers, it became a common and practical project scheduling method. With web-based applications, the Gantt chart gained in popularity and is now a common feature in most projects. Now, however, with. It has, however, tried to evolve with the times. What is a Gantt Chart in Project Management?First things first: What is a?

Simply put, a.Typically, the rows comprise different tasks of a project, often drilling down to individual tasks, with the timeline forming the columns of the chart. With programs that create a Gantt chart for a project, you can see where the project stands on any given day. Gantt chart for a project shows who is responsible for each task, as well as any dependencies between tasks.Here is a typical Gantt chart for a project:The chart clearly shows, in an easy-to-understand manner, where the project stands today.

The chart is extremely useful in presentations to management, as well as to clients, who may want a quick appraisal of the tasks underway. Dependencies in Gantt Chart for a ProjectOne of the major reasons that go awry is improper recognition of dependencies. Let us say, you have a project that requires three distinct work paths. All these need to converge for the project to move ahead. Even if one of the work paths is delayed, the entire project schedule collapses.

With a Gantt chart, this dependency is identified right at the planning stage, visually, so that any lag will be flagged instantly, to denote possible delays. As a project manager, you can then immediately deploy resources to ensure the delay causes minimum damage.There are several types of dependencies in a project. All of these can be denoted on a Gantt chart. Finish to Start (FS): In this type of dependency, Task A has to be completed before Task B can begin. An example: Let’s say you are working on a. Only after the clients approve the images to be used on the website can any Photoshop work on the photos occur.

Start to Start (SS): In this type of dependency, Task A has to be started for Task B to begin. A simple example would be in the field of writing. A writer must have started to write a novel before beginning to edit parts of it. Finish to Finish (FF): In this type of dependency, Task A has to be completed before Task B can be completed. Let’s say you are working on a brochure.

The “creating text” task must be completed before “designing brochure” task finishes. However, the design can start before the text is completed, as is often done, using dummy text. Start to Finish (SF): In this rare dependency, Task A must start before Task B can finish. This could be applied to a new position being filled. It may be essential that the outgoing employee train the new employee so that the employee leaving the organization can do so only after the new one joins duty.

It must be noted that this is, strictly speaking, not a professional approach.In software development, recommends that the Finish Start schematic be used most often. It also discourages the use of the Start to Finish algorithm, as that might mean endless delay and possible circular references in a workflow. However, for just-in-time deployments, the Start to Finish dependency can be used. Steps to Create an Effective Gantt Chart for a Project:The process of creating a Gantt chart for a project is quite intuitive. However, for best use, you must plan for the chart as well.While you can prepare the chart on paper, or on a computer, it will make the task easier if you have a Gantt chart template into which you can plug in information. Most web-based collaboration tools include Gantt chart templates. There are also plenty of templates available for the same for.

Make a comprehensive task listThis step involves breaking down the project into its Gantt charts components. If one can break it down into a hierarchical structure with task groups, under which tasks are laid out in greater detail, it will work best.For instance, let us consider the task of creating a new websiteSome of the overall stages are:. Review. Scope. Design. Content. Coding.

Testing. Implementation and maintenanceUnder each of these steps, there will be additional tasks.

The Gantt chart has become one of the most critical tools for project managers in various industries. According to Capterra, some of the major industries employing Gantt charts include education, finance, marketing, IT and construction. What is a Gantt chart?Gantt charts provide a visual overview of the project at hand, which facilitates quick yet effective project planning, management, and monitoring. Instead of having to go through multiple instances of tedious reports and documents, a Gantt chart gives a pictorial overview of the workflow, the milestones achieved, planning phases and associated bottlenecks and risks.Gantt charts can also be used to show dependencies between different activities in a project and project status. Offer a smarter way of project management by automatically notifying of an issue such as potential delays of excess time consumption by activities.Gantt charts provide an overview of multiple tasks associated with a single project, or a high-level view of multiple projects.Melanie Haselmayr is a real estate agent and real estate investor with CURATED.

According to Melani:“Gantt charts are best for projects that are timetable dependent. Their layout in timeline format allows you to stay on top of your deadlines, and keep an overview of the progress of the project.”Gantt Charts and Team CollaborationOne of the numerous advantages a Gantt chart project management tool can offer is increased teamwork and streamlined collaboration among teams. Integrated with a calendar, a project management tool that includes Gantt chart features can make project planning and monitoring easier by keeping the team on one page.Certain Gantt chart apps even allow depicting the task owner with the task on the timeline. With project relationships and dependencies structured in a transparent manner, it is easier to shuffle task priorities, share workload and arrange substitutes in case resources are not available.

This helps deter overwork, identify issue owners and expedites the process to identify root causes of problems.According to an article by Scott Berinato, a Senior Editor at Harvard Business Review,“Visual communication is a must-have skill for all managers, because more and more often, it’s the only way to make sense of the work they do.”How to Make a Gantt ChartA Gantt chart can be visualized as a bar chart that illustrates a project schedule through a work breakdown structure (WBS) of a specific project. The first Gantt chart is known to be devised by Karol Adamiecki in the mid-1890s.Adamiecki was a Polish engineer that worked on management ideas and techniques. Later on, an American engineer, Henry Gantt took up the idea of such charts between 1910 and 1915.

In turn, these charts became associated with his name.A Gantt chart is essentially made up of the following basic elements:. A defined showing start and end dates of the project. Project tasks and activities.

The task owner. Start and end dates for each task. The duration for each task.

Agile Marketing With Gantt Charts 2017

If needed, task grouping and dependencies/relationshipsWho Uses Gantt Charts?A Gantt chart can be used by anyone who needs to keep a check on projects or workflow; it isn’t limited to a specific industry. Rather, multiple roles can use the same Gantt chart to oversee progress from their level. Some of the common roles using Gantt charts include:. The C-Suite: CEOs, CIOs, CFOs and CTOs. General Managers. Project Managers.

Marketing Managers. Operations Managers.

HR Managers. Administrators. Scheduling managers. Team LeadsLaura Shin is a crypto/blockchain journalist and host of the Unchained and Unconfirmed podcasts. Laura says:“I highly recommend Gantt charts for project management, whether you work on a team or solo.

They are visual representations of how long each project will likely take and what your start and finish dates are. It is immensely helpful not only in projecting future timelines but also determining when you have too much work on your plate.”Pros and Cons of Gantt chartsAs with everything else, Gantt charts also come with their own sets of advantages and disadvantages. Here are certain factors you should know before deciding whether or not to adopt a into your project management practices:d Pros Simplify Complex Workflows Into Manageable ActivitiesGantt charts can reduce a seemingly overwhelming task into a manageable set of tasks with a transparent view. Organize Tasks and ProjectsYou can organize complex workflows into tasks and projects. This helps design and prioritize major activities relevant to each project goal. Help Set Realistic TimeframesYou can set realistic timeframes for task initiation and completion.

Identify Critical PathGantt charts help identify the critical path of a project. In essence, it is the path that determines the minimum amount of time required to complete a project. Facilitates Goal AttainmentGantt charts help you attain your project goals due to a practical timeframe on all levels. Provide a Transparent View of WorkIt is easier to keep atop of every detail through a transparent visualization of the tasks involved. Highlight Potential ProblemsGantt charts can help highlight issues and risks including time overlaps, milestone delay or excess time consumption by any activity. Cons May Increase in Complexity LevelsAlthough intended to simplify work, depending upon the number of projects being managed simultaneously, a Gantt chart can become complex. It needs an eye for detail and good management and improvisation skills.

Need Constant Monitoring and UpdatesTo ensure the project is rightfully depicted as it goes, the Gantt chart needs to be monitored for consistent updates, by all team members. It is important to have your resources and work assigned carefully planned to render results efficiently. Not Feasible on PaperAlthough initial Gantt charts started in physical form, these are difficult to retain on paper. Therefore, these are mostly limited to and best managed digitally as they cannot be printed effectively as done with reports and other forms of documentation. Gantt Charts for Project ManagementDespite various tools and frameworks for, Gantt charts continue to be popular globally with professionals.

Incorporated in the latest developments of, project management has become easier and more efficient using Gantt charts.Especially with the option of switchable tasks between projects and repeating tasks, Gantt charts are far more dynamic than ever before.According to a recent survey by Software Advice, a significant number of, about 43%, still carry out project planning using manual methods. 35% of the respondents show an inclination towards applying Gantt charts within project management tools.Do you use a Gantt chart software? If so, how do they help you out in managing your projects and workflow? Share your story in the comments below.