2. Gantt Charts for project management
Jeff Barratt
Supply Chain and Operations Management
Dr. Tom Foster
Marriott School of Management
Brigham Young University

3. Gantt Chart Applications
What is a Gantt Chart
Gantt Chart Applications
Gantt Chart Exercise
Gantt Chart Example

4. What is a Gantt Chart? A visual representation of a project over time
Used to schedule, coordinate, and allocate the resources needed to complete a project
Shows start, end, and specific target dates called “milestones”
Everyone creates at least a mental timeline for a project they undertake, but physically creating a timeline forces a more thorough and well thought out plan. Gantt Charts can easily be customized. Some Gantt Charts use 3-D graphs to involve time, task, and specific resource quantities.

5. Benefits of Gantt Charts
Efficiency Increase
Project tracking
Set deadlines
Communication Increase
Coordination Increase
Provides motivation through scheduling
Encourages creativity
Set dates help envision the project at different stages. Time becomes concrete, not abstract, thus motivating the project along. As one Gantt Chart is shared between different departments vision is shared and communication and coordination increase. Creativity is created as people use new ideas in order to finish a task within a time constraint.

6. Features of Gantt Charts
Easy to create
Freehand Gantt charts
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Project
SmartDraw, Primavera, and other programs.
Easy to modify and adjust
Simple to understand
Microsoft Project seems to be the most popular of all Gantt chart software.

7. Disadvantages of Gantt Charts
Activity descriptions often lack detail
A lack of precedent and subsequent task relationships
Does not allow for uncertain situations such as late or early finish times.

8. How Can This Tool Be Used in Your Organization?
Can be used for… Specific projects. Streamlining of everyday projects. Personal planning. Planning a meeting. Increasing communication and project input.
Upcoming projects?
Communication barriers?
Time restraints?

9. Gantt Chart Fundamentals
Separate tasks are listed in vertical rows
Time spans horizontally along the top
Each task is represented by a bar along the time horizon
Gantt Charts can be made using a variety of computer programs, or by simply using freehand to graph tasks along a time axis. A vertical bar can be used to depict the current point in time, as shown just before the December 10 section.

10. How to Create a Gantt Chart using Microsoft Project
Another option not here shown, but effective, is linking tasks together by precedent/follower relationships.
List any resources to be used
Enter Task Name
Adjust start and end times
Choose task duration

11. Exercise Water Tight Security Systems
just got a bid for installing the security system
on a new government building…
The government building is over 500 miles away and you want to ensure a good job to promote further business. Continued on the next slide…

12. Exercise continued
Schedule the project’s completion using a Gantt chart.
Include the following steps:
Test the system (0.5 days)
Install the system (4 days)
Order and await supplies (9 days)
Evaluate facility’s security needs (4 days)
Schedule installation time (1 day)
Installation crew travel (2 days)
These steps are in no specific order. The task will include organizing these steps into a logical order, and including any other steps you may feel necessary. Organize the tasks over time using a Gantt chart on a computer or a Gantt chart created by hand.

13. Solution
Notice the overlap of some acitivties, such as Scheduling Installaion Time and Ordering Supplies.
There is no “correct” answer to this exercise, as Gantt charts can be adapted to meet specific specifications, preferences, or needs.

14. Real World Examples Government Uses Private Uses
Hoover Dam construction, 1931
Interstate Highway Network, begun 1956
Private Uses
Specific projects such as launching a new product
Construction planning such as building a home
Personal planning

15. Medical School Application
A Personal Planning Example:
Medical School Application
Here is an example of a personal application of a student’s project of getting into a medical school. Notice that as tasks are completed they are filled in (Prepare for and take MCAT and Research schools tasks), thus tracking progress.

16. Additional Information
Microsoft Office homepage
Academy of Management Journal. 2002,Vol. 45, No. 5, “Charting Time: Timelines as Temporal Boundary Objects.” Elaine K. Yakura.
Cost Engineering. Vol.47/No.7 July 2005, “Effective Use of Gantt Chart for Managing Large Scale Projects.” Pankaja Pradeep Kumar, CCE.
Link

17. Additional Information Cont.
IEE Engineering Management. June/July “Uncharted Territory?” Alan Orr.
Project Management Fifth Edition, Harold Derzner, Ph.D. Pp
See also:
Program evaluation and review technique (PERT)
Critical path method (CPM)

18. Summary
Gantt charts are visual representations of a project over time.
Includes start, finish, and milestone dates.
Useful in project planning and tracking.
Helpful in resource communication and allocation
Every project will have a timeline. Gantt Charts improve project efficiency through the creation of a physical timeline.