A Gantt chart, named for its inventor, Henry Gantt, can be difficult to create without an example chart to follow. By using a Gantt template, project managers can provide a visual representation of the progress of scheduled tasks associated with a project. It not only shows the duration of each task, or group of tasks, it also illustrates the dependence of each task on others. Overall, the use of a Gantt chart provides a clear picture of an entire project’s scheduled deliverables over the course of time devoted to the project.
Project Management Timeline
Project management timeline charts, such as the Gantt chart, help project managers keep track of all tasks in the schedule. Download a Gantt Template for Microsoft Excel 2007 or later to simplify this process.
Under the title “Gantt Chart” on the Gantt template details page, there is a long bar. The left-hand side of this bar contains a link for “More search results” while the right-hand side of the bar reads “Download”. Click the word “Download” to begin the process. It is necessary to read and accept the Microsoft Terms of Service to download the file, which takes up 12KB of space. Save the file to a computer that has a working copy of MS Excel 2007, or a more recent version of Excel, and open it using that version of Excel.
Project Management Programs & Time Management
Within project management programs, time management is critical. To use the Gantt template, simply input task information in the appropriate value fields. Save each version of the Gantt chart as a new worksheet in the same workbook, to see changes as they occur. Fields that should be updated include:
- Task Name - Update these fields with the names of each task or task group
- Dates - This should encompass the entire timeline of the project, including the amount of time allocated to each task
- Progress - This field contains the progress toward completion for each task, calculated with pre-set mini-goals.
Keeping these fields current allows project managers to stay on top of potential problems within the overall project schedule, and improve the chances of completing the project on schedule, on time, and within budget. In addition, this Gantt template provides a clear visual to show project stakeholders during status updates. Overall, the Gantt chart is a valuable part of any project manager’s documentation.
Looking for more project management help? Try:
Project Plan Template - Microsoft Project Management Help Planning documents can maintain the scope, scheduling and budget of a project. Use this Microsoft Word project plan template for project management help.
Microsoft Excel Templates for Project Management - Task Planning Looking for Microsoft Excel templates to improve your project management process? Use a task management template for MS Excel to streamline job assignments.
Project Management Guide Template Free project management guide templates help standardize the PM process, from initiation to completion. Download the file in Microsoft Word to get started.
Victoria Nicks - Victoria Nicks has a Master's Degree in IT, and extensive hands-on experience with various types of hardware and software.
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