Project Gantt Chart Templates

What Is a Project Gantt Chart?

According to a survey by the Project Management Institute, 37% of project failures result from a lack of transparent goals. Thankfully, project Gantt charts exist. These will allow you to see your goals by illustrating a timeline, listing the tasks, and setting durations for each task.

How to Make a Project Gantt Chart?

Increase your goals of succeeding in your projects by making use of a Gantt chart. If you need help with it, don’t hesitate to check out the guidelines provided below.

1. Identify the End Goal of Your Project

As mentioned earlier, Gantt charts help in setting goals for a project. Before you begin creating your printable chart, make sure to identify what you intend to achieve in the end. This way, you’ll know what to do and how long your project will take.

2. Determine How Much Time You Have

Now that you've identified your goal, you'll be able to determine your timeline easily. How much time do you have to finish your project? Use this flow chart as the basis for the pace of your project's activities.

3. Make a Checklist of the Project Tasks

Gantt charts, regardless of other editable charts, are all about illustrating the relationship between tasks and a timeline. Since you've determined how much time is available, you can now start writing the tasks. Make a checklist of the tasks, and make sure to break them into small and manageable pieces.

4. Set a Schedule for Each Task

Next, set a schedule for each task listed. In other words, determine how long each task will take by drawing progress bars. There may be instances wherein tasks may overlap, but try to avoid this as much as possible so you can focus on one task at a time in your custom task Gantt chart.

5. Indicate Important Events or Dates

People overlook the importance of milestones, but these are important elements in projects. Before you finish making your Gantt chart, make sure to identify the milestones. Make this a habit since you can use your milestones and other report Gantt charts as references for future projects.

General FAQs

• What is the purpose of Gantt charts in project management?

  The purpose of Gantt charts in project management is to provide a visual representation of a work schedule. This helps project managers in planning, coordinating, and monitoring project activities.

• Why is project planning important?

  Not only is project planning going to help you in making your Gantt chart, but it will ensure that the desired goals are met and that issues are prevented. Also, project planning will help the team, managers, and stakeholders in handling the project phases.

• What are the phases of project development?

  1. Project initiation - Determining the importance and feasibility of the project.
  2. Project planning - Setting the schedule and assigning tasks. 
  3. Project execution - Completing the tasks based on the project plan.
  4. Project closure - Evaluating the success of the project.

• Who invented the Gantt chart? And why?

  Henry Gantt, an American engineer, invented the Gantt chart. He did so to help workers see where they are in a project, and determine whether they need to up their pace or to slow down.

• What details should be included in a Gantt chart?

  1. Start date and target date.
  2. Summary of the project’s purpose.
  3. Tasks to be completed.
  4. A timeline of dates.
  5. Progress bars to symbolize durations.