gantt chart business plan example

Gantt Chart Examples, Templates, and Styles

By Diana Ramos | October 31, 2022

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Gantt charts are the bread and butter of project scheduling. We’ve assembled dozens of example images and templates to help you make the best Gantt charts possible. 

Included on this page, you’ll find 30 downloadable Gantt charts, with helpful examples for marketing , software development , project management , product development , and human resources . Plus, read expert tips on making Gantt charts for various formats , including Google Sheets, Excel, Microsoft Word, and more.

What Does a Gantt Chart Look Like?

A Gantt chart is a simple bar chart that shows all the tasks, events, and milestones in a project. The x-axis depicts the project timeline, and the y-axis depicts project phases. Each horizontal bar represents a project task. 

In most Gantt charts, the current date is represented by a vertical line, which looks like a progress bar. 

Other common symbols are diamonds or stars, which represent milestones. 

Many Gantt charts use color-coding to separate project phases.

“When creating a Gantt chart, each task is represented by a bar that extends over the duration of the task,” says Danny Trichter, Co-Founder of AccessibilityChecker.org . “The length of the bar indicates the duration of the task, and the placement of the bar indicates when the task will begin and end. In addition, Gantt charts often include information such as task dependencies, milestones, and resources.” 

For some projects, especially those with tight deadlines, it can be helpful to include project dependencies in your chart. These are typically represented with arrows. You can use arrows to distinguish between the four types of dependencies: finish-to-start, start-to-start, finish-to-finish, and start-to-finish.

You can also use Gantt charts to represent lead time, lag time, predecessor tasks, and successor tasks when necessary. 

“Gantt charts should be created in a way that is easy to read and understand. I believe if it's not simple, people won't use it,” says Chad Sibila , Sales Manager at VT Industries. “I really like to see a left-to-right, start-to-finish for one project, with the steps to complete along the way.”

For more detailed information about making and using Gantt charts for your upcoming projects, see this basic Gantt chart guide with how-to videos.

Gantt Chart Examples by Format

The format you choose for your Gantt chart depends on the type of project, accessibility needs, and preference. For example, if your team conducts most of their work in Microsoft Suite, then PowerPoint, Excel, and Microsoft Word are better options.

Gantt charts are popular because they are easy to use and adaptable. You can create them in any spreadsheet, word processing, or presentation software. For projects where collaboration and access are key, Google formats such as Google Docs and Google Sheets are the most useful.

Jan Schiller, Partner and Chief Project Officer at Berkshire Consulting, LLC , recommends that you select a tool that can create a Gantt chart from source data, such as Excel or Google Sheets. “The Gantt chart can be lifted into any format that is meaningful to stakeholders,” she explains. “I recommend using one format consistently. Why? For information integrity and transparency that supports informed decision-making. Seamlessly switching between source data and the Gantt chart improves trust and credibility while greatly reducing the effort of maintaining an accurate Gantt chart.”

Gantt Chart Example Template for Excel

Download the Sample Construction Project Gantt Chart Template for Excel Download the Blank Construction Project Gantt Chart Template for Excel

Microsoft Excel is a popular software for creating and designing Gantt charts. For example, streamlined formulas allow you to keep all of your data in a centralized location, while generating Gantt charts automatically. Download the sample or blank template to see an example Gantt chart in Excel for a new home construction project.  

“I prefer using Excel for creating Gantt charts because it is easy to use and provides a lot of flexibility,” says Trichter. “I can easily add more information, such as task dependencies, milestones, and resources. Also, I can easily format the chart to make it look more professional.”

Find a how-to video, a step-by-step guide, and helpful tips for creating your own Gantt chart with this comprehensive guide to creating Gantt charts in Excel .

Gantt Chart Example Template for PowerPoint

Download the Sample Architecture Project Gantt Chart Template for PowerPoint Download the Blank Architecture Project Gantt Chart Template for PowerPoint

Download a detailed example of a Gantt chart or a blank version in PowerPoint for an architecture project. This easy-to-use Gantt chart PowerPoint is the perfect solution for anyone looking to create or present a dynamic project schedule in a presentation format. 

“If I were creating a Gantt chart to share with a large group of people, I might choose to use PowerPoint so that I could include more visuals and make the chart easier to understand,” explains Trichter.

To learn how to create, import, and customize your own Gantt chart for a presentation, see this comprehensive guide to creating Gantt charts in PowerPoint .

Gantt Chart Example Template for Microsoft Word

Download the Sample Clinical Trial Project Gantt Chart Template for Microsoft Word Download the Blank Clinical Trial Project Gantt Chart Template for Microsoft Word

Get started with a blank Microsoft Word template, or download the sample template for a prepared version that shows real data for a research project. In this case, the example is for a clinical trial of a new product. Microsoft Word is a great format option if you need a simple, printable Gantt chart. Use this template to track daily project tasks in a single document. Assign start and end dates, responsible team members, and statuses for each task in the chart. 

“Microsoft Word and Google Docs are formats that I typically use for more static content, such as reports or articles,” says Tricther.

To learn how to make and customize a Gantt chart, use this step-by-step guide to creating Gantt charts in Microsoft Word .

Gantt Chart Example Template for Google Sheets

Download the Sample Business Plan Gantt Chart Template

Excel | Google Sheets

Download the Blank Business Plan Gantt Chart Template

Download the sample template in Google Sheets to see how a project manager might use a Gantt chart to make a business plan. Google Sheets is hard to beat for a collaborative, accessible option with lots of helpful formulas and features. Use this template to track every task in your project in one shareable, web-based document. 

For additional templates, guides, and helpful tips, see this comprehensive article on creating a Gantt chart for Google Sheets .

Gantt Chart Example Template for Google Docs

Download the Sample Sales Plan Gantt Chart Template

Microsoft Word | Google Docs

Download the Blank Sales Plan Gantt Chart Template

Google Docs is another easily shareable and printable format option for making a Gantt chart. Try this Gantt chart template to track the phases and milestones of any project. Download the sample template for a version of a Gantt chart for a sales plan.

Gantt Chart Examples for Marketing

Whether it’s a social media, print, email, or other type of marketing campaign, Gantt charts can help you account for every step along the way. We’ve gathered a helpful list of example images and templates for your next marketing project.

“I started using Gantt charts for mobile project development, as they were taking over two to three months and involving dozens of people,” says Benjamin Poirrier, Founder and CEO of the marketing agency Prodima . “Nowadays, I use them to manage smaller digital marketing campaigns with various stakeholders (developers, designers, content writers, account managers), so I can follow up on the progress of their tasks.”

Marketing Campaign Gantt Chart Example Template

Download a Sample Marketing Campaign Gantt Chart Template for Excel | Microsoft Word

Download a Blank Marketing Campaign Gantt Chart Template for Excel | Microsoft Word

This downloadable example template provides a roadmap for a basic marketing project. From project conception and initiation to launch and measurement, this template has you covered. Assign task owners, set deadlines, and track statuses of every step in the project.

Gantt Chart Example for Market Research

Download the Sample Market Research Gantt Chart Template for Excel Download the Blank Market Research Gantt Chart Template for Excel

Use this straightforward Gantt chart template to map all the phases of your market research project, from planning and developing a mission statement to conducting client surveys, focus groups, environmental studies, and more.

Gantt Chart Example for Video Production

Download a Sample Video Production Gantt Chart Template for  Excel | Microsoft Word

Download a Blank Video Production Gantt Chart Template for Excel for Excel | Microsoft Word

Use a Gantt chart for your next video production project to ensure that you account for all important tasks, from pre- to post-production. Download the blank template to begin mapping your project. For more guidance, try the completed template with sample text to see how someone might use a Gantt chart to schedule a video production project.

Digital Marketing Campaign Gantt Chart Example

Download a Sample Digital Marketing Campaign Gantt Chart Template for Excel | Google Sheets

Download a Blank Digital Marketing Campaign Gantt Chart Template for Excel | Google Sheets

A successful digital marketing campaign can significantly expand the reach and impact of your brand or product. Use this template to monitor the various components of a digital marketing campaign. Track the timelines of your local marketing, content marketing, social media, web, and sales campaigns all in one convenient Gantt chart.

Example Gantt Chart for an Email Marketing Campaign

Download a Sample Email Marketing Campaign Gantt Chart Template for Excel | Google Sheets

Download a Blank Email Marketing Campaign Gantt Chart Template for Excel | Google Sheets

Email marketing campaigns are an effective way to inform existing and potential customers of upcoming sales, events, initiatives, and more. Follow the steps and phases in the customizable sample Gantt chart template for an example of how to effectively design, write, review, and release an email marketing campaign. Download the blank Gantt chart template to start from scratch.

Social Media Campaign Gantt Chart Example

Download a Sample Social Media Campaign Gantt Chart Template for  Excel | Google Sheets

Download a Blank Social Media Campaign Gantt Chart Template for  Excel | Google Sheets

Use a Gantt chart to streamline your multiplatform social media campaign to ensure that posts are consistently on-brand, timely, and polished. In this example, the chart separates tasks by platform making it easy for your team to give the appropriate amount of attention to each advertisement, whether it’s on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, or another platform.

Virtual Event Planning Gantt Chart Example

Download the Sample Virtual Event Planning Gantt Chart Template for Excel | Google Sheets

Download the Blank Virtual Event Planning Gantt Chart Template for Excel for Excel | Google Sheets

Event planning can be stressful and complicated. Use a Gantt chart to keep hiring staff, planning music and activities, and booking locations simple and organized. This Gantt chart demonstrates a timeline for planning a successful virtual event.

Gantt Chart Example for Event Marketing for Excel

Download the Sample Event Marketing Gantt Chart Template for Excel Download the Blank Event Marketing Gantt Chart Template for Excel

For an event to be successful, teams need to devote resources to promoting it, reaching out to donors or potential guests, and ensuring there is media in place so that the event will be adequately covered. Track every part of your event marketing campaign simultaneously with this comprehensive color-coded Gantt chart.

Examples of Gantt Chart for Software Projects

For software projects, opt for Gantt charts that support Agile methodology. These charts break down projects into sprints, allowing you to track requests from stakeholders and clearly depict key dependencies. 

“Gantt charts are used in both the Waterfall and Agile project management approaches,” says Rafał Gatkowski, Senior Python Developer at STX Next . “They perform especially well with Waterfall since a linear plan is developed to match customer expectations after gathering them at the beginning of a project. At STX Next, we mostly use the Agile approach to set our goals and use continuous customer feedback to update our plan in real time.”

Agile Gantt charts are a popular option for project managers leading software development projects. Assign various development teams to tackle different features, and trace dependencies using arrows. 

For projects with only one development team, you can use a simpler Gantt chart that tracks the status and dependencies of each individual task.

Gantt Chart Example for a Software Development Project for PowerPoint

Download the Sample Software Development Project Gantt Chart Template for PowerPoint Download the Blank Software Development Project Gantt Chart Template for PowerPoint

This presentation-ready, Agile Gantt chart will help you map out, schedule, and share your software development project roadmap. Diamond symbols represent key milestones, while arrows indicate the dependencies among tasks.

Gantt Chart Example for Website Development

Download a Sample Website Development Gantt Chart Template for  Excel | Google Sheets

Download a Blank Website Development Gantt Chart Template for  Excel | Google Sheets  

A user-friendly, functional website is key to the health of any company or brand. Account for every detail in the website development process by downloading a Gantt chart template for Excel or Google Sheets. Track due dates for design, features, development, and launch.

Gantt Chart Example in Software Engineering for Excel

Download the Sample Agile Software Engineering Gantt Chart Template for Excel Download the Blank Agile Software Engineering Gantt Chart Template for Excel

Track each phase in a software engineering project with an Agile Gantt chart. This Gantt chart tracks the development of each feature, separating each into sprints. Download and customize the blank Gantt chart template to create a dynamic timeline for any Agile project.

External IT Project Gantt Chart Template for Excel

Download the Sample IT Project Gantt Chart Template for Excel Download the Blank IT Project Gantt Chart Template for Excel

Use this sample template as a comprehensive tool to help you plan and schedule an external IT project. Customize the project name, task names, and start and end dates in the left-hand column to populate the Gantt chart on the right. Select and move the milestone markers to indicate the various stages or milestones of your IT project. 

Download the blank version to get started mapping your project timeline, or download the version with sample data to see how an IT project progresses from planning graphics to testing, rollout, and documentation.

Mobile App Development Agile Gantt Chart Example Template

Download the Sample Mobile App Development Agile Gantt Chart Template for Excel Download the Blank Mobile App Development Agile Gantt Chart Template for Excel

Gantt charts that incorporate Agile methodology are perfect for software projects such as mobile app development. In this sample template, you can see how to use an Agile Gantt chart to map the sprints in a mobile app development project, from research and analysis to launch.

See this comprehensive guide on using Gantt charts for Agile with a template and examples to learn more.

Project Management Gantt Chart Examples

Gantt charts are a fundamental tool in project management. These blank and example Gantt chart templates cover various areas of project management. Find samples that you can use as a guide for creating a proposal, planning, consulting on a roadmap, and more. 

“Once properly created and maintained, a Gantt chart brings clarity to a lot of information, which improves the success of the project manager and, therefore, of the organization,” says Schiller. “Gantt charts help to improve project performance by improving coordination, decision making, and communication.”

Whether you’re consulting, drafting a project proposal, or leading a construction project, Gantt charts will help you stay on schedule. Try Gantt charts that incorporate the critical path method.

Gantt Chart Example for a Project Proposal for PowerPoint

Download the Gantt Chart Project Plan Timeline for PowerPoint

Incorporate a Gantt chart into your project proposal presentation with this Gantt chart project plan timeline. This presentation-ready format is a great option for project managers who want to give a broad visual overview of the project timeline to stakeholders or company executives. Simply add this slide to your project proposal presentation to get the most out of this straightforward Gantt chart. 

For more resources and information on project proposals, see this article on writing a winning project proposal .

Project Plan Gantt Chart Example with Template

Download the Sample Gantt Chart Project Plan With Dependencies for Excel Download the Blank Gantt Chart Project Plan With Dependencies for Excel

A project plan is a more detailed version of a project proposal. Use a Gantt chart to allot your team enough time to research and write every section, including overview, scope, schedule, budget, and more. By doing so, you can rest assured that your project plan will be successful. Download the blank version to get started identifying your project plan phases, or download the version with sample data to see how much time to allow for each phase.

To learn best practices and find expert tips on creating project plans, see this guide to writing a winning project plan .

Gantt Chart Example for a Consulting Project Roadmap

Download a Sample Consulting Project Gantt Chart Roadmap Template for  Microsoft Word | PowerPoint | Google Slides  

Download a Blank Consulting Project Gantt Chart Roadmap Template for Microsoft Word | PowerPoint | Google Slides  

Create a consulting project roadmap as a Gantt chart to produce a clear and visually dynamic graphic of your timeline. In this example, every part of a consulting project, from developing partner strategy to reviewing the partnership development process, has a phase with individual tasks to which you can assign an owner, deadline, and status.

Construction Project Gantt Chart Example with a Critical Path

Download the Sample Construction Project Gantt Chart Critical Path Template for Excel Download the Blank Construction Project Gantt Chart Critical Path Template for Excel

By combining Gantt charts with the critical path method (CPM), project managers can optimize their schedules and minimize unexpected delays. Although CPM is appropriate for any project, it is particularly useful for those with many strict dependencies, such as construction projects. 

Try this free, customizable template that combines Gantt charts with critical path methodology. Download the blank version, and enter your tasks, start and finish dates, assignees, and statuses. The template will populate the Gantt chart at the bottom of the spreadsheet as you enter your data. You can also download the version with sample data for a construction project Gantt chart example. 

Learn about Gantt charts and the critical path method in this CPM guide with templates and examples .

Product Development Management Gantt Chart Examples

A Gantt chart can help simplify even the most ambitious product development project. From ideation and research to costing and commercialization, these Gantt chart examples can help set you and your team up for success.

“Gantt charts outline the proper order for completing tasks, as well as the amount of time required,” says Gatkowski. “Having this knowledge is useful while managing projects, as you can monitor the progress, plan the whole project, and manage resources. Project managers can check to see if specific activities are finished on time and modify the project plan accordingly.”

New Product Development Gantt Chart Example for Microsoft Word

Download the Sample New Product Development Gantt Chart Template for Microsoft Word Download the Blank New Product Development Gantt Chart Template for Microsoft Word

A new product development project requires careful planning. Try this simple Gantt chart to break down your project into manageable segments, such as developing a prototype, setting up materials acquisition, and creating a marketing plan.

Gantt Chart Example for Product Roadmap

Download a Sample Product Roadmap Gantt Chart Template for Excel | Google Sheets

Download a Blank Product Roadmap Gantt Chart Template for Excel | Google Sheets

Create a product roadmap using this comprehensive Gantt chart tool. Track every product feature as you move through the development process, from grouping management controls and notifications to drafting product segment reports.

Product Launch Gantt Chart Example for Excel

Download the Sample Product Launch Gantt Chart Template for Excel Download the Blank Product Launch Gantt Chart Template for Excel

This Gantt chart design for Excel allows you to track tasks and phases of a product launch. Copy and paste statuses from the color-coded key on the right-hand side of the template to ensure that anyone can take a quick look at your Gantt chart and understand the status of your product launch. Download the version with sample text to use as a guide to get started or the blank version to enter your own details.

Gantt Chart Example for the Manufacturing Process

Download a Sample Manufacturing Process Gantt Chart Template for Excel | Google Sheets

Download a Blank Manufacturing Process Gantt Chart Template for Excel | Google Sheets

Try this simple Gantt chart template to keep track of every phase in the manufacturing process. In this example, see how the manufacturing process moves from planning and product development to inspection, shipment, and delivery. Enter start and end dates for each task, and watch the Gantt chart populate with color-coded bars.

Gantt Chart Examples for Human Resources 

Human resources (HR) departments can use Gantt charts for varying projects. Download a sample template to help get you started on your HR Gantt chart, or use a basic Gantt chart template to plan your project schedule from scratch. 

“Gantt charts can be used for a variety of HR-related projects, such as onboarding new employees, planning company-wide training events, and tracking employee performance goals,” says Linda Shaffer, Chief People and Operations Officer at Checkr . “They are particularly useful for projects that involve multiple teams or individuals, as they provide a clear way to track progress and identify potential risks and issues.

“For example,” Shaffer continues, “if you're planning a company-wide training event, you can use a Gantt chart to track the progress of each team as they complete their training. This way, you can see at a glance which teams are on track and which ones are behind schedule.”

Gantt Chart Example for Interview Process

Download a Sample Interview Process Gantt Chart Template for Excel | Google Sheets

Download a Blank Interview Process Gantt Chart Template for Excel | Google Sheets

Hiring a new employee takes time, resources, and careful consideration. Stay organized throughout the process, from pre-interviewing to hiring, with a comprehensive and visually dynamic Gantt chart. Complete each section of the pre- and candidate-interview phases, candidate selection, and hiring. This interview process Gantt chart example sets a timeline that ensures everyone who needs to talk to a potential new hire does before you send the offer.

Employee Onboarding Gantt Chart Example

Download a Sample Employee Onboarding Gantt Chart Template for Excel | Google Sheets

Download a Blank Employee Onboarding Gantt Chart Template for Excel | Google Sheets

Well-organized employee onboarding processes help improve an employee’s long-term experience at a company and decrease overall employee turnover. This Gantt chart illustrates the path to preparing for a perfect first day on the job. 

Download these onboarding templates and checklists for more HR tools and advice.

Gantt Chart Example for Human Resources Planning

Download the Sample Human Resources Planning Template for Excel Download the Blank Human Resources Planning Template for Excel

Use this Gantt chart to ensure that your organization has all the required team members available to complete your next project. Follow the sample template for an Agile software development projec t, or enter your own data to manage human resources for any upcoming project or initiative.

Easily Track and Manage Your Projects with Gantt Charts in Smartsheet

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The Smartsheet platform makes it easy to plan, capture, manage, and report on work from anywhere, helping your team be more effective and get more done. Report on key metrics and get real-time visibility into work as it happens with roll-up reports, dashboards, and automated workflows built to keep your team connected and informed. 

When teams have clarity into the work getting done, there’s no telling how much more they can accomplish in the same amount of time.  Try Smartsheet for free, today.

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Blog Graphic Design 11 Gantt Chart Examples For Project Management

11 Gantt Chart Examples For Project Management

Written by: Bronwyn Kienapple May 10, 2023

Slack pings, client emails, subcontractor texts… it’s enough to drive anyone crazy. Stop the communication madness and make a Gantt chart .

A Gantt chart lets you communicate your project timeline visually in an easy-to-understand way. Everyone’s in the loop, so you can get work done faster and easier.

Want to see Gantt chart examples, plus get tips on how to create professional Gantt charts that are professional, attractive and simple to understand?

Stick around or check out our Gantt chart templates to start customizing right away.

Click to jump ahead :

• What is a Gantt Chart?

10 Gantt chart examples 

Why is a gantt chart important, benefits of using a gantt chart, what are the parts of a gantt chart, how to make a gantt chart, what is a gantt chart.

A Gantt chart is a timeline of a project. The top of the chart shows the time frame and the left side of the chart lists the project activities.

Here’s a Gantt chart example:

Each activity listed on the left-hand side of a Gantt chart has a colored bar next to it.

The position and length of that bar depends on the activity’s timeline and duration: when it starts and when it ends.

• For example, in the daily project status Gantt chart above, Activity 1 (Task 1) will take place from March 3 to 7 and then from March 10 to 13. The due date is Thursday of that week. Each week is color coded.

Here’s another example:

In short, a Gantt chart shows:

• What tasks need to be done to complete the project
• When these tasks need to be done

Now that you know what a Gantt chart is, let’s look at a few examples to better understand its usability and versatility.

1. Gantt charts for project management

Gantt charts can be a helpful visual to include in project management plans .

Like the previous example, this retro daily project Gantt chart example breaks down project activities day by day.

It also breaks down who’s responsible for what project activity.

• Sonya J. is responsible for it from September 3 to 14 (two weeks).
• Amir K. is responsible for it from September 17 to 21 (one week). Julia F. is in charge of Task 1/Activity 1 from September 17 to October 2. Her red bar shows that the due date is Wednesday.

The magic of a Gantt chart is that it lets you set the order in which tasks should be completed.

And since Gantt charts are in an easy-to-understand timeline format, the task order is crystal clear.

Your team and/or clients won’t need to ask you again and again when Mark is supposed to be working on link building. Phew .

Project management: simplified.

This template would work especially well for consultants , as the client can get a visual representation of the team working on their project.

Putting faces to the names creates confidence in the client and helps build your reputation.

Pro Tip : Use Venngage’s collaboration features to add team members (like your client) to your account and share your Gantt chart seamlessly. Or better yet, edit and customize your gantt charts with your team in real time with our new real-time collaboration feature!

Get feedback and approvals faster within one channel, without having to juggle Slack messages, emails, or G Suite comments.

This corporate weekly project Gantt chart example is more traditional than the previous example. The focus is on the activities and their types, not the individual people.

The types of activities, such as engineering or marketing, are color coded.

• For example, Task 3/Activity 1 is a marketing activity that will take place from the middle of week 3 to the middle of week 5. Julia K. is responsible for this activity.

This futuristic-looking Gantt chart example is perfect for teams who operate on the sprint system .

The template is divided into two-week sprints, but you can change this to a one week sprint (or longer) as needed.

The left hand side is divided by team and further divided by activity.

• For example, the engineering team will do planning from the beginning of week 3 to the end of week 5.

Pro Tip : When you’ve finished editing your Gantt chart in Venngage, click “Share” in the top right corner of the editor to email or get a link to your design.

Or click “Download” to download a PDF or PNG file to your hard drive (Premium and Business plans only).

Add your Gantt chart to your weekly team meeting presentation . Consultants can add them to their proposals or work plan templates  or integrate them into their project management tool .

2. Gantt Charts for Construction

Construction projects can suffer from “too many cooks in the kitchen” syndrome, making it really hard to meet deadlines.

Gantt charts are a great way to keep construction projects on schedule and make sure clients, crew members and subcontractors are in the loop.

This construction project Gantt chart example will make sure everyone’s on the same page. The chart’s simple format makes it easy to see what activity is due when .

You can edit the Gantt chart as the project progresses.

• For example, if an activity is taking longer than it should, extend the bar’s length and make that section red. That way, everyone is instantly aware of overtime and potential project delays.

This construction project Gantt chart example is almost the same format as the previous one, but the dots represent two day intervals.

• For example, demolition will run from Friday of week 1 to Friday of week 2 (six days).

Pro Tip : Venngage’s My Brand Kit tool lets you apply your brand colors to your Gantt chart template with one click. My Brand Kit also lets you include your logo and apply brand fonts.

For example, in the above template, using My Brand Kit would change the blue, yellow and green background color scheme to your brand’s color scheme. You can then click “shuffle” to cycle through the color combination options.

3. Gantt Chart Example for Project Proposals

New product in the works? Use this dark new product project Gantt chart example.

The far left hand column maps out the activities, while the far right column lists what department is responsible for each activity.

Product development typically involves multiple departments or teams of people. There may be no one project leader, or only multiple managers, on multiple teams.

A Gantt chart is the perfect way to manage tasks between multiple teams as all the information is in one place, in a crystal-clear format.

It eliminates confusion about dependencies i.e. who needs to finish what before another team can begin their task.

Pro Tip : You can also include the chart in your business report or presentation .  Download your finished Gantt chart as a PNG file (Premium and Business plans only). Choose a presentation template from our library. Once you’re in the editor, click the “Image Upload” tab to upload the Gantt chart and add it to your slides.

4. Gantt Chart Example for Business Plans

A business plan tends to contain a lot of information and can quickly become overwhelming to potential investors.

Visualizing schedules, research or data will help break up all the text and quickly communicate key deliverables.

Investors need to see that you have a concrete plan in place that will let you achieve your revenue goals. 

One strategy is to use a Gantt chart to visualize your business plan’s growth strategy or marketing plan .

Use the Gantt chart example above to plot your business strategy and major milestones. Edit the time frame on the bottom to plot out stages by quarter–over several years, if you like.

You can also include this Gantt chart in your project plan .

5. Gantt Chart Example for Consultants

Your client’s hired you to help them achieve their goals. But, let’s say they’re a new client and they need a little more reassurance that you, the consultant, is on top of things.

Show your client that you have a workable roadmap to success with a Gantt chart.

Edit the above Gantt chart example and divide tasks–between your team, any subcontractors and your client’s team.

Refer back to the chart during your weekly calls with the client to make sure you’re both on the same page.

If you’re overwhelmed by admin work, check out our job proposal templates , business proposal templates and consulting report templates and get important documents out the door a lot faster.

Find a hard time creating business proposals fast? Read our in-depth business proposal guide to whip up proposals quickly. 

They’ll also look plenty better than those Word documents you usually churn out!

Pro Tip : Love your Gantt chart’s layout and want to use it again for other consulting projects? Save it as a template in Venngage. That way, you can reuse it whenever you need to make a Gantt chart for another client.

Gantt charts are important because they make scheduling, planning and executing on projects easier. They also help a lot with general time management .

Projects often involve multiple stakeholders, activities and deadlines. Gantt charts visualize all these factors so that project managers and their teams can quickly understand who needs to do what and when .

This will help make sure each deliverable is completed on time.

Which in turn will prevent a snowball effect of missed deadlines, causing the  project price to go up and the completion date to be pushed back.

And no one wants that.

The benefits of a Gantt chart include:

• Scheduling and planning projects and tasks
• Plan work in sprints
• Visualizing how projects and tasks evolve over time
• Collaborate with your team
• Comparing planned versus actual timelines

Gantt charts are incredibly versatile — they’re useful for multiple roles, such as:

• Project managers
• Marketing managers
• Team leaders
• Operations managers
• Consultants

Gantt charts aren’t industry-specific, either. They’re a critical tool for anyone managing a long-term project that has lots of tasks and a complex schedule and that requires collaboration.

• For example, the Gantt chart example below can be adapted for any project simply by changing the tasks and milestones:

Industries that can benefit from Gantt charts include:

• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Product development
• Engineering
• Infrastructure
• Oil and gas
• Telecommunications
• Professional services and consultants

Telecommuting has risen 140 percent since 2005, according to Globa l Workplace Analytics .

As this number continues to skyrocket, a Gantt chart becomes even more critical for team management and to effectively plan and track work as a team.

When you first look at a Gantt chart, it might seem overwhelming.

What do the bars or lines mean? How do they relate to the x and y axes?

But, on second glance you’ll see that the beauty of a Gantt chart is actually in its simplicity.

A Gantt chart only has three main parts:

• Activities and/or tasks (left axis)
• Milestones (top or bottom axis)
• Activity and/or task bars

Take a look at this simple Gantt chart example:

Not intimidating at all.

• Tasks on the left axis
• Milestones on the bottom axis
• And bars that show when each task should begin and end

Of course, more complex projects, such as the construction of large urban infrastructures or complex software engineering services, require more complex Gantt charts.

The Gantt chart example below takes things a step further by dividing activities into smaller tasks.

• For example, “Planning” is divided into: needs assessment, project agreement and site map.

This Gantt chart also lists (on the right) who’s responsible for each task.

The good news is that you can now create a Gantt chart with Venngage in five steps:

1. Choose a Template

Choices, choices. Open our Gantt chart templates gallery .

Then, select the template for you by:

• Ex. Dark Home Construction Project Gantt Chart Template
• Ex. Dark New Product Project Gantt Chart Template
• Corporate Weekly Project Gantt Chart
• Ex. Detailed Project Gantt Chart

Hover over the template you like and click “Create.”

2. Lay Out Your Timeline From Left to Right

Start by laying out the timeline of your from left to right, creating divisions by day, week, month, or quarter.

In this Gantt chart template, click the text box you want to edit and start typing.

Or delete the days of the week and add months or quarters, instead.

Made a mistake? You can click “undo” in the top toolbar at any time.

To add a new column to the right, click “Resize” and increase the width of the custom page size. Try adding 200 more pixels and readjust as needed.

Then, drag and select all the orange icons to move them to the right at the same time.

Drag to select the entire dates section and click “copy” and move into place. Edit the dates.

Now, drag to extend the beige bars. Use the “snap to guide” feature to help you align everything perfectly.

3. Add Tasks From Top to Bottom

Click the tasks and activities to edit the text. Use the top navigation bar to change the font style, size, color etc.

If you need to add a new row, follow the same steps for adding a new column as above. Just adjust the height of the page size instead of the width. Then, copy the last row by dragging to select and pressing “copy.”

4. Adjust Each Bar Accordingly

Adjust each bar so it begins at the task’s start date and extend it to the end of the expected task deadline.

Click each bar to move it or drag it. The snap-to-guide feature will help you align the bar with the specific day of the week above.

Copy other bars with the right color and move them into place to extend the timeline of a task.

You can also click the orange circles to assign each task to a different person–in the above Gantt chart template they’re indicated by initials.

5. Brand Your Gantt Chart

Brand your Gantt chart with one click by opening the My Brand Kit tab. Drag your logo into place.

Then, click a “My Brand Colors” palette to apply these colors to the entire template. Click “Shuffle” to scroll through different color combinations. Very cool.

Want a different type of design? Discover even more Gantt chart templates .

Pro Tip : Struggling to customize your Gantt chart just the way you want it? Venngage offers priority support via email, chat and phone and 1-on-1 consultations to Business plan members. Ask our designers for tips on how to present your idea visually — whether in a Gantt chart or a presentation, report, white paper etc.

What’s your number one struggle with managing projects right now? Let us know in the comments below!

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7 Gantt Chart Examples You'll Want to Copy [+ 5 Steps to Make One]

Published: April 05, 2023

Gantt charts. Love ‘em, hate ‘em, or can’t live without ‘em, they’re a reality of a marketer’s life. But how do you make yours stand out from the rest?

Below you’ll see some of the best examples around, along with some free templates to get you started. Dive in below and find your favorite.

Table of Contents

What is a Gantt Chart used for?

How to make a gantt chart, benefits of using a gantt chart, ways to make gantt charts.

Gantt charts are project management tools that help marketers visualize project timelines, progress, and deliverables. Visual lines or bars clearly display which tasks are completed and what’s to come, allowing managers to allocate time and responsibility accordingly.

The elements within a Gantt chart can be grouped into four categories: resources, milestones, tasks, and dependencies.

• Resources. Project managers must have insight into what resources are needed for tasks outlined in a Gantt chart for each to be completed on time.
• Milestones. Along your timeline, there will likely be milestones, both small and large, that must be hit to keep your project on track. A milestone for a blog launch might be “ blog post draft due on 5/30. ”
• Tasks. There are specific things that need to be completed along the way of your project. In our blog post example, a task might be “edit blog post. ”
• Dependencies. Tasks on your Gantt chart will be related to each other, for example, the editor won’t be able to complete her task of editing the blog post until the writer has met their milestone and submitted their draft on 5/30. These are dependencies and should be noted in your chart.
• Update project name and start date.
• Configure the Gantt chart.
• Review project scope.
• Identify key tasks and milestones.
• Estimate task dates.

2. Gantt Chart in PowerPoint

Want to include a Gantt chart in your next PowerPoint presentation? Use this PowerPoint example as your guide.

PowerPoint doesn’t have a built-in Gantt feature, but you can build and edit a chart inside of the platform using their “Stacked Bar” feature.

What we like: This template allows you to clearly group subtasks together to coordinate all the components of your campaign with one Gantt chart.

4. Gantt Chart for Design Projects

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This Gantt chart template makes it easy to outline your project's key stages, deliverables, and dates.

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What is a Gantt chart? A guide to mapping your project timelines

A Gantt chart is a horizontal bar chart used to illustrate a project’s schedule and related tasks or events during the project lifecycle. Find out how this type of chart can help you map tasks and keep deliverables on track.

While these charts can get quite complex, the basics aren’t hard to nail. In our guide, you’ll get a clear breakdown of what Gantt charts are, when to use them, tips for creating one, and more.

What is a Gantt chart?

A Gantt chart is a horizontal bar chart used to illustrate the timeline of a project and its tasks. This gives your team a visual overview of project information like your project schedule, upcoming milestones, and overall project timeline.

Each horizontal bar within the chart represents a task, and the length of each bar represents the amount of time that step or task will take. When you zoom out to look at the full picture, these charts give project managers and project teams an overview of what work needs to get done, who’s doing it, and when.

Gantt charts typically include the following components:

Task start date

Task duration

Task end date

Most Gantt charts also offer additional context about how project tasks connect to each other, who they’re assigned to, and what important deadlines and milestones are coming up. With a dynamic timeline, team members have at-a-glance insight into what they’re responsible for and how their work impacts the project as a whole.

History of the Gantt chart

Polish engineer Karol Adamiecki created the first iteration of a Gantt chart in 1896, which he called the harmonogram. Adamiecki published his findings in Russian and Poli

sh, which made them difficult to access in English-speaking countries. In 1910, American mechanical engineer Henry Gantt independently popularized a similar chart in the United States, which he devised in order to represent how long factory workers spent on a given task. These two systems have since been merged to create what we know today as the modern-day Gantt chart.

After tracking factory employees’ tasks, these charts became a popular way to track project schedules . Originally, these charts were drawn on paper, which meant that whenever the schedule changed, the charts had to be redrawn. Later, project managers used pieces of paper or blocks to represent the task bars, so they could move them around as needed.

Gantt chart example

Studying this example of a Gantt chart is helpful for understanding how to map out a project lifecycle effectively. 

Initial steps: The project starts with the "Identify key stakeholders" activity, which lays the groundwork for all other tasks that follow.

Planning phase and project launch: Tasks like "Map out dependencies" are scheduled alongside "Define project goals," due by December 15 to indicate tasks that can occur simultaneously. While the "Kick off project" action establishes a key milestone and planning deadline.

Task management: Tasks such as "Measure performance against goals" and "Assign action items" suggest a cycle of continuous evaluation and task distribution.

Finalizing and reporting: Activities that help team members and stakeholders recognize the steps needed as the project culminates to a conclusion include "Prepare presentation" and "Present to leadership." While the final phases of the project are represented by tasks like "Communicate results" and "Complete project," which concentrate on project wrap-up and outcome communication.

While every chart will look different, this example will help you grasp the fundamentals of task sequencing and time management critical for any successful project.

What is a Gantt chart used for?

While you can use a timeline view for a variety of projects and programs, it’s helpful to understand what these charts are commonly used for and why:

Build and manage complex projects: The bigger the project, the more tasks there are to manage. Gantt charts can help project managers when scheduling projects by allowing them to easily visualize a project and break it down into smaller tasks.

Monitor task dependencies: Project delays happen. Visualizing work in a timeline helps project managers automate task dependencies, which ensures that the next phase or task doesn’t start until the previous one has finished.

Keep track of project progress: Track progress and milestones, so you can quickly adjust your project plan if needed.

1. Mapping out a marketing campaign

Larger marketing campaigns require a lot of team collaboration and coordination—and it’s easy to lose track of all the moving pieces. That's why it's so important to visualize all of your work as a sequence of tasks with assignees and details about how long each initiative will take. This way, teams don’t just know who’s responsible for what, but also how their work impacts others or the larger goal.

2. Outlining deliverables for a client

When you show clients a timeline of all of your deliverables , you can clearly set expectations around how long each will take. By outlining plans this way, you can give stakeholders and clients a clear idea of the scope of your deliverables, and how long each one will take to accomplish—so they won’t just know when you’re delivering an item, but also the timeframe in which you’ll be working on it.

3. Planning a product launch

For product launches, you might use a timeline to map out the entire plan, from ideation to launch and beyond. By visualizing this in a timeline, you’re then able to more easily spot conflicts before you begin, see dependencies between steps, and get a clear overview of everything that’s happening leading up to the launch and when.

Parts of a gantt chart

Have you ever wondered what makes up a Gantt chart and how each component contributes to effective project management? Understanding the anatomy of a Gantt chart can help you leverage its full potential in organizing and visualizing your project timelines. Here are the essential components of a Gantt chart, each with an example:

Task list: A vertical list of project tasks on the left side of the chart, serving as the foundation for plotting the project timeline. For example, a project to develop a new website might include tasks like "design homepage," "write content," and "code website."

Task bars: Horizontal bars that represent the duration of each task, showing the start and end dates. For instance, the task bar for "design homepage" might span two weeks in April, visually indicating its planned duration.

Milestones: Markers that signify key dates or achievements within the project timeline. An example is marking the completion of the website prototype as a milestone, which indicates a significant achievement in the project's progress.

Dependencies: Lines or arrows that connect tasks to indicate the sequence in which tasks must occur. If "write content" cannot start until "design homepage" is complete, a dependency arrow would connect these tasks.

Critical path: Highlights the longest sequence of dependent tasks that determine the project's duration. In our website project, the critical path might include tasks such as "code website," directly impacting the project's end date.

Resource allocation: Information on which resources are assigned to specific tasks is often included alongside the task bars. An example would be assigning a specific web designer to the "design homepage" task.

Dates and time scale: The top of the chart features a calendar or time scale that tasks and milestones are plotted against to provide a temporal context. For example, the entire project might be set against a six-month time scale from April to September. This helps stakeholders visualize the project timeline at a glance.

Each of these components plays an important role in providing a comprehensive overview of the project's scope, duration, and dependencies.

How to make a Gantt chart

While no two Gantt charts look exactly alike, there are some basic steps you’ll need to take to get you off the ground, no matter what project management software you use. 

1. Define the time range

Your Gantt chart should be a project with a start and end date. Think of this chart as a way to represent your project over a timeline—your timeline needs a beginning and end point.

Tip: While all projects should have a clear end point, it’s likely that you’ll have some additional follow-up tasks with your client after crossing the finish line, so you may need to add in some dates after the fact for these items.

2. Add tasks with start and end dates

In order to effectively visualize your to-dos, make sure each individual task has a specified beginning and end date—this way they can be easily visualized on a bar chart. If you don’t add task start dates, then your tasks will show up as moments in time, which might be harder to visualize within the bigger picture.

Tip: Clear start and end dates also make it easy for your team to understand when they should begin working on a task. By doing this, they won't be unprepared for a big project that is due tomorrow.

3. Clarify dependencies

With large projects, it’s natural to have some tasks that can’t get started until other tasks are complete. To keep the project running smoothly and every team on the same page, you can visualize dependencies between tasks in your Gantt chart.

In the example below, the ability to publish the product blog post is dependent on reviewing the blog post, which in itself is dependent on drafting the blog post. Similarly, the team can’t launch the email campaign until it’s been drafted. Drawing dependencies between these tasks will help the next team stay up-to-date on what they’re able to start working on in their phase of the project.

4. Pinpoint milestones

Unlike most tasks in a Gantt chart, milestones are fixed points in time. Think of them as checkpoints to signify that large pieces of work are complete. They help your team know what to prioritize and can be great moments of celebration when they’re completed.

Tip: Milestones often take place at the end of project phases, but there’s no one single way to create milestones for your team, especially since every team and project looks different. Examples of milestones might look like:

Project approvals

Task starting points

Mid-phase check ins

Phase completion points

5. Modify work as plans change

Plans will inevitably change, which is why your Gantt chart software should be able to adapt to your needs. Look for a tool that allows you to easily drag and drop tasks, and that automatically updates dependencies in real time. That way, you can always keep your project on track, even as plans shift.

Gantt chart best practices

When teams first start using Gantt charts, they often encounter a few common hurdles. These challenges can lead to miscommunication, resource misallocation, and ultimately, project delays.

However, with the right best practices in place, Gantt charts become powerful tools for improving project visibility and team coordination. The following Gantt chart best practices are designed not just as tips but as solutions to these common initial stumbling blocks.

Determine the critical path

Establishing the critical path of a project timeline is key to understanding the sequence of tasks that directly affect the project's completion date. This practice involves identifying which tasks are critical (i.e., any delay in these tasks will delay the project) and which tasks have float (i.e., can be delayed without affecting the project timeline).

By focusing on the critical path, project managers can allocate resources more effectively and prioritize tasks that are essential for on-time project completion.

In a software development project, tasks such as requirement gathering, design, coding, testing, and deployment are mapped on a Gantt chart to identify the critical path. It reveals that delays in the coding phase directly affect testing and deployment timelines. However, tasks like documentation might have some float and can be adjusted if coding needs more time. This insight enables project managers to prioritize coding and allocate extra resources if necessary, ensuring the project remains on schedule despite potential bottlenecks.

Use a work breakdown structure

A work breakdown structure (WBS) is a fundamental step in project planning that involves dividing a project into manageable tasks and subtasks. When applied to a Gantt chart, a WBS helps organize tasks visually, making it easier to monitor progress and allocate resources efficiently.

Consider a project to develop a new website. By using a WBS, you would break down the project into smaller tasks such as design, content creation, and coding. Each task would then be represented on the Gantt chart timeline, giving team members a clear overview of the project scope that helps them understand their responsibilities and deadlines.

Identify task dependencies

Understanding task dependencies is crucial for creating an accurate Gantt chart. Task dependencies indicate the relationship between tasks and subtasks, showing which tasks must be completed before others can begin. This ensures that the project flows logically and resources are allocated appropriately.

For a construction project involving the building of a structure, it's essential to complete foundational subtasks before advancing to subsequent phases, such as erecting walls. The Gantt chart efficiently maps out these work dependencies to ensure contractors realize the importance of completing the foundation to avoid scheduling conflicts and inefficient resource use.

Allocate resources wisely

Resource allocation involves assigning the appropriate resources, including team members, equipment, and budget, to specific tasks. A Gantt chart with integrated resource allocation allows project managers to see not only when tasks are scheduled but also how resources are distributed across the project.

For an event planning project, a Gantt chart can show that while one team works on venue setup, another is arranging catering. Task visualization ensures that resources are not overstretched and that tasks are adequately staffed. This helps prevent burnout and ensures that all project aspects are covered.

Monitor progress regularly

A Gantt chart is not a set-and-forget tool; it requires regular updates to reflect the project's current status. Incorporating dashboards into this practice provides a centralized, real-time view of project progress, task completion, and resource allocation. Dashboards complement Gantt charts by offering an at-a-glance summary of key project metrics, enabling project managers and team members to quickly assess project health and make informed decisions.

During a software development sprint in an agile project , if a sprint is behind, a dashboard updated alongside the Gantt chart quickly highlights delays and resource issues. This allows for immediate adjustments to make certain the project stays on track without extensive meetings or email updates. This streamlined approach keeps everyone aligned and responsive to changes.

Pros and cons of Gantt charts

While these charts can be helpful, they aren’t always the best for every project. To better understand if this type of project chart is right for you and your project vs. a timeline, here are a few considerations before you leap into creating one.

Get a bird’s-eye view of your project timeline: A Gantt chart is a roadmap of your project . This tool helps you track when you should reach each milestone—and whether or not you’re on track to do so. This type of timeline view offers a bird’s-eye perspective on your work, making it a particularly useful tool to present to senior management or clients for a quick overview.

See how tasks relate to each other: By adding start and finish dates to each task and drawing dependencies, you can visualize how each piece of work affects another. This helps you identify problems and fix dependency conflicts before you start.

Improve team resource management : Adding an owner to each piece of work can help you see who’s doing what and when to better manage individual workloads. Since everything is plotted out sequentially, you’ll be able to see if an individual teammate or team has too much to do at one time, then reassign or reschedule tasks as needed.

More time consuming to set up: Setting up a Gantt chart can be time consuming, especially if you’re using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Even if you use a template, you might still have to make adjustments to customize it to your team’s specific needs.

Difficult to manage the project in the same place you planned it: Traditional Gantt charts are most useful in the planning phase of a project. Once you’ve mapped out your work, you’ll likely need to use a different tool or platform to manage day-to-day activities, making it hard to know where your team’s single source of truth is.

Adding more details gets messy: Adding context around deadlines and collaborators to your project plan on a Gantt chart can turn it from easy-to-view map to overwhelming sheet of chaos.

Alternatives to traditional Gantt charts

Fortunately, there are alternatives to clunky charts that still give you a bird’s-eye view of how all your work fits together—without the typical limitations of a traditional, spreadsheet-based chart.

A work project management tool like Asana can help you manage, coordinate, and add details to your work in the same place you plan it—while also spending less time setting everything up.

For example, you could set up your project plan using Asana’s Timeline , a view that lets you map out how all the pieces of your project fit together. Like a Gantt chart, Timeline shows you when each step will happen, how long it will take, and who’s responsible. Unlike a Gantt chart, Timeline is easy to set up and maintain and lets your team collaborate on work in the same place you planned it.

Other types of visual project management

Depending on the type of work you’re managing, a calendar or a Kanban board could work as a more lightweight and quicker-to-setup alternative to visualizing your project plan in a timeline . With Asana, you can also switch between project views. View any project in either Timeline, List, Boards, or Calendar View, so your team can see their work in the way they prefer. You can test out all of these views with a free Premium trial .

Plan projects like a pro with Asana

Whether you end up using a Gantt chart or a similar alternative, visualizing your project plan is a key step for every team—whether you’re a project manager or not. It allows you to show how all the pieces of your project fit together, share it with your team, and adapt your plan as work progresses to keep everything on track.

Map out your project plan and watch the pieces come together with Asana.

Gantt Chart FAQ

What types of teams commonly use Gantt charts? Any team that needs to keep track of task progress can use Gantt charts. Typically, Gantt charts are used by project managers and team leads, but they’re also useful for business owners and C-level executives. Common industries that employ Gantt charts include marketing, software engineering, construction, graphic design, and event planning.

What are the typical components of a Gantt chart? At its most basic, a simple Gantt chart is composed of a vertical axis, which contains a list of tasks, and a horizontal axis, which maps out the project’s timeline. By visually displaying your project plan in a constrained timeframe, Gantt charts help you see at a glance the step-by-step actions you need to take to ensure project success.

What should I look for in a Gantt chart tool? When setting up an online Gantt chart, you should look for a tool with a user-friendly interface and features that make planning and coordinating your work easy, like start and end dates, dependencies, and milestones. Additionally, tools that utilize integrations to connect the chart with apps, like Google Sheets and OneDrive , help streamline workflows.

Related resources

What is a flowchart? Symbols and types explained

What are story points? Six easy steps to estimate work in Agile

How to choose project management software for your team

7 steps to complete a social media audit (with template)

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Gantt Chart: The Ultimate Guide (with Examples)

If you’ve been involved in a couple of projects, there is a high chance that you’ve come across the term Gantt chart. Most project managers swear by Gantt charts as one of the most intuitive ways of planning projects and visualizing their progress.

But what exactly is a Gantt chart? What is it used for?

In this guide, we’ll explain what Gantt charts are, what they are used for, and how to make them.

We’ll also take you through what Gantt chart software is and the key features to look for when choosing the right Gantt chart software for your needs.

What Is A Gantt Chart?

A Gantt chart is a chart made up of horizontal bars that are used to give a visual illustration of project tasks and their timelines .

In other words, a Gantt chart shows the tasks or activities that need to be completed, the start and end dates for each task, as well as the person responsible for each task.

Each horizontal bar in the chart represents a specific task, while the length of the bar corresponds to the length of time required to complete the task . Lines connecting one bar to another are used to identify and define dependencies between the tasks.

Gantt charts provide an easy way to keep your eye on the full picture of a project, monitor project progress, and keep track of project milestones.

Gantt Chart Example

If it’s your first time interacting with Gantt charts, they can look quite complicated. To make it easier for you to understand them, here is an example of a Gantt chart…

On the left side of the Gantt chart is a list of all the tasks that need to be completed . On the right side pane are the Gantt bars showing when the tasks start and end, as well as their duration .

For instance, you can tell that the ‘photo story’ task starts before the other tasks, while the studio shoot and the location shoot start at the same time. The longer the bar, the more time that specific task is expected to take.

The bars also show the percentage of the task that has been completed. For instance, you can tell that the ‘photo story’ task has been completed, while the ‘review shots’ task is yet to be started.

Finally, the bars also have names next to them showing the team members assigned to each task.

What Is Gantt Chart Software?

When they were first introduced by Henry Gantt in the early 1900s, Gantt charts used to be drawn on paper. With the advent of computers, Gantt chart software was designed to bring Gantt charts into the digital world.

Gantt chart software is a type of project management software that automates the process of building Gantt charts .

Gantt chart software allows you to build advanced Gantt charts that support functions like milestone tracking, task dependencies, calculating the critical path, auto-scheduling, and so on.

Gantt chart software also enhances collaboration on projects by allowing team members to communicate and share files.

With Gantt chart software, you can do all the following…

• Design visually appealing Gantt charts
• Assign tasks to team members
• Automatically pass work from one team member to another
• Estimate how long a project will take
• View the availability and workloads of your team members

In addition to building advanced Gantt charts, Gantt chart software also gives alerts and notifications on assigned tasks and approaching deadlines , thereby reducing the likelihood of missing deadlines.

There are two types of Gantt chart software – desktop Gantt chart software and online Gantt chart software .

Desktop Gantt chart software comes as an application that you have to install on your computer , and can only be used on your computer.

Online Gantt chart software, on the other hand, is cloud based, which means you can access your Gantt charts from any internet connected device from anywhere in the world.

What Is A Gantt Chart Used For In Project Management?

Gantt charts are widely popular in project management because of the multiple ways in which they can be used. Some of the things you can do using a Gantt chart include…

• Planning, scheduling and managing projects
• Presenting your project schedule in an easy to read visual format
• Breaking down the project tasks that need to be completed and managing these tasks
• Enabling team collaboration and ensuring all team members are on the same page
• Estimating the amount of time required to complete the project
• Tracking project progress
• Comparing actual project timelines against planned timelines
• Planning and managing sprints in projects that are executed using the agile framework
• Resource management, including assigning tasks to team members and managing your team’s workloads
• Keeping track of important project milestones
• Sharing files and documents related to the project
• Managing time in a more effective and more efficient manner
• Identifying your project critical path and identifying tasks that require the highest priority
• Identifying overlapping tasks and task dependencies

Top Gantt Chart Software Features

Most of the Gantt chart software in the market today are quite advanced and come with lots of bells and whistles, which can make choosing the right Gantt chart software a bit of a challenge.

While all sorts of extra features are nice-to-have, there are some key features that every Gantt chart software needs to have. Below are 8 of these key features…

1. Milestones

Milestones denote key dates or events within a project that mark the completion of a key project phase or a major deliverable.

A reliable Gantt chart software will allow you to set and keep track of project milestones. In most cases, the milestones are represented using a diamond shape .

2. Project And Task Progress

The core function of Gantt chart software is to help you visualize how your project is progressing. This means that Gantt chart software needs to have the capability to show project progress. In most cases, Gantt chart software uses different color shades to show completion percentage .

Aside from showing completion percentage, your Gantt chart software of choice should also allow you to compare actual progress against planned progress. This way, you can tell whether your project is moving within schedule or lagging behind.

3. Task Dependencies

In every project, there are tasks and activities whose completion relies on other tasks.

For instance, if you’re working on a project to create an online course , you have to choose a course topic before you start creating the course topic.

Similarly, you have to create the lesson content before you can start filming. Such relationships are referred to as task dependencies.

Always make sure that your Gantt chart software of choice allows you to show the dependencies between tasks . This way, both you and your team members will have a clear picture of how their tasks affect the completion of other tasks.

Aside from showing dependencies, a reliable Gantt chart software will also allow you to define the kind of dependency between the tasks . The different types of dependencies include start to start (SS), finish to start (FS), start to finish (SF), and finish to finish (FF).

4. Auto-Scheduling

Once a project is underway, things will not always go as planned. Some tasks might start late, others might take longer than you expected, and so on.

Since these tasks are related, changes in the starting and completion dates of one task will definitely have an effect on the other tasks .

Instead of having to manually make adjustments to various project dates, a reliable Gantt chart software provides auto-scheduling capabilities.

This way, when you make changes to the start and completion dates of one task, the software automatically makes adjustments to the other dates to reflect the changes.

5. Critical Path

In project management, the term critical path refers to the longest sequence of tasks and activities that have to be completed in order for the project to be delivered successfully .

With a good Gantt chart tool, you can easily calculate and visualize the critical path for your project . This, in turn, makes it easier to identify the tasks that need to be prioritized, and to calculate the minimum amount of time you need to complete the project.

6. Collaboration Features

While different team members are assigned to different tasks, they often need to work together and collaborate in order for everyone to successfully deliver their tasks.

When choosing a Gantt chart software, go for one that provides features that make it easy for team members to collaborate on tasks .

Look out for collaboration features like commenting on tasks, chat, real-time alerts and notifications, team member tagging, file sharing and so on.

7. Export Option

Sometimes, you might want to share project timelines with people who are not directly involved in the project, such as clients and other stakeholders.

In such situations, it is highly beneficial to have Gantt chart software that allows you to export your Gantt charts as images or PDF files .

8. Third Party Integrations

Most businesses already use a handful of software tools and applications to automate various business aspects. When choosing a Gantt chart software, you should ensure that it supports integration with such third party tools that you routinely use in your business .

An effective Gantt chart software will allow integration with common marketing automation tools , email marketing tools , CRM tools , document management tools , workflow management tools , and other popular business tools.

How To Make A Gantt Chart

On the face of it, Gantt charts look complex and complicated, but they are actually very easy to make. Below, let’s look at two different ways of making a Gantt chart.

How To Make A Gantt Chart Online

• Gather all the information you need to create your Gantt chart. This includes information about all projects tasks, and the resources available for the project.
• Choose your preferred online Gantt chart maker, such as Monday.com or ClickUp .
• Pick your preferred Gantt chart template. Most online Gantt chart makers will have a couple of templates to choose from.
• Customize the template by adding the tasks you listed in step one to the Gantt chart.
• Enter the start and completion dates for each task.
• Define any dependencies between tasks.
• Set the milestones that you’ll use to track project progress.
• Assign the project tasks to the available team members.
• Find the critical path for your project.

Creating a Gantt chart online is that simple. Once you’re done with the above steps, you can now share a link to the Gantt chart with your team members and other project stakeholders and start using it to monitor and track project progress.

How To Make A Gantt Chart In Excel

Creating a Gantt chart in Microsoft Excel is a bit more complicated compared to creating one online, since Excel doesn’t come with an inbuilt Gantt chart template.

It’s also good to note that your Excel Gantt chart will not be responsive, and you’ll have to share the newer version of the Gantt chart with your team members and stakeholders whenever you make changes to your Gantt chart .

If you still prefer using Excel, however, here are the steps to follow…

• Create an Excel file and fill in your project tasks, with different columns for start date, end date, and duration.

• Select the data range on the “Start Date” column, then go to insert and select “stacked bar.”

• To add duration data to your graph, right click on the graph and click on “Select Data.”

• Click on “Add” to add a new data range to your graph

• In the new box that pops up, choose a name for the new data range (in our case, the name is Duration), and then move down to Series value and click on the range selection icon to choose your data range.

• Select the data in the Duration column to add it to the graph, then hit the icon at the right of the range selection box to close to minimize the box.

• Click On “Okay” to add the new data range to your chart. The chart will now look like the image below.

• To transform your chart into a Gantt chart, the next thing you need to do is to make the blue bars invisible. To do this, right click on the blue bar, and click on “Format Data Series.”

• In the new pane that pops up to your right, select “Fill and Line,” and then click on “No Fill” and “No Line.” Next click on “Series Options” and adjust the “Gap Width” to zero. Your chart will now look like this…

• You now have a Gantt chart, but at this point, it is in reverse order. To correct this, right click on the list of tasks and click on “Format Axis.”

• In the “Format Axis” dialog pane on the right of your screen, click on the “Categories in reverse order” checkbox. Your Gantt chart will now look like this…

That’s it. If you correctly follow the above steps, you’ll have created a simple Gantt chart using Excel. If the process seems too long and complicated, however, you can build Gantt charts faster by using a Gantt chart template for Excel .

Gantt Chart Templates For Project Managers

It is possible to build your own Gantt charts from scratch. However, this can be a bit complicated, depending on the Gantt chart maker you’re using.

For instance, with Excel, the process of building a Gantt chart from scratch is quite lengthy. An easier way to quickly build beautiful Gantt charts is to use a Gantt chart template.

There are tons of Gantt chart templates available on the internet. However, most of these Gantt chart templates are designed for specific Gantt chart makers.

For instance, an Excel Gantt chart template can only be used on Microsoft Excel, while an Instagantt template can only be used on Instagantt.

Below are links to some Gantt chart templates that you can use on specific platforms…

• Office Timeline Gantt chart templates
• Simple Microsoft Excel Gantt chart template
• Aha.io Gantt chart templates
• Free Instagantt Gantt chart templates
• Simple ClickUp Gantt chart template

Gantt Chart FAQ

Gantt charts can be used by anyone looking for an effective way to plan, schedule and manage a project.  You can use Gantt charts for all kinds of projects, from small personal projects, to large projects that involve multiple teams. Some of the types of projects where you can use a Gantt chart include… – Product development projects – Marketing campaigns – Engineering process revamp – Website design projects – Construction projects – Event planning projects – Manufacturing projects

Using a Gantt chart in project management offers several benefits. Some of these include… Gantt charts give you a bird’s eye view of your project. With a single glance, you can tell how a project is going, and whether you’re on schedule to hit each milestone. With Gantt charts, it’s a lot easier to identify the relationships between project tasks and each task affects the others . This can help you identify potential conflicts and fix them early on. Better resource management. With a Gantt chart, you can see who is assigned to what, which makes it easier to identify team members who are overloaded with work, and those being underutilized. Gantt charts allow everyone within the team to track project progress, view the work assigned to other team members, and how this work is coming along . This leads to better accountability and transparency.

Best Gantt Chart Builders To Try

Gantt charts are an easy and effective way to plan your project and monitor project progress. They make your team more productive, improve transparency and accountability, and allow you to identify and fix potential issues before they derail your project.

If you are looking for a great Gantt chart maker, here is a list of the best Gantt chart builders to try.

• Monday.com : The best overall Gantt chart builder that offers high quality visualizations.
• ClickUp : Best solution for those looking for an affordable Gantt chart builder.
• Wrike : A simple and user-friendly Gantt chart tool that’s great for those looking to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Teamwork : Powerful Gantt chart tool that offers great collaboration features.

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Anastasia belyh.

Anastasia has been a professional blogger and researcher since 2014. She loves to perform in-depth software reviews to help software buyers make informed decisions when choosing project management software, CRM tools, website builders, and everything around growing a startup business.

Anastasia worked in management consulting and tech startups, so she has lots of experience in helping professionals choosing the right business software.

Get organized with Gantt chart templates

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Top 10 Gantt Chart Examples for Project Management (Updated June 2024)

When it comes to running your own projects or keeping track of things with your team it’s important to know all of your options. And one of the best options that you have at your disposal is a Gantt chart . You just need to take a little bit of time to see what the options really are. You might even be surprised by all the different ways that a Gantt Chart Maker can be used and all the different types of industries that can use them. So, let’s take a closer look.

Why Gantt Charts ?

Gantt charts are a great option for anyone because they allow you to track anything and everything related to your tasks, projects and more. No matter what industry you’re in you can set up a Gantt chart that will help you get your job done more efficiently and more effectively. And that’s going to mean you get a whole lot more money in the bank in the long run. What could be better than that?

Gantt charts will help you to know:

• The duration of the entire project.
• How much your activities cost, and how much your project is likely to cost.
• Know what the different activities are
• When activities need to start, and when they need to finish.
• How long your activities were primarily scheduled to last.
• Current progress status.
• Which activities depend on others to be effectively completed.

Let’s take a look at some of the best Gantt chart examples available, so you can select the best fit for you and your team:

1. human resource planning template.

When it comes to planning things out in human resources you might not realize just how much is involved in the process. The truth is, you’re responsible for nearly constant updates and strategies related to all of the different trends within your company, which means you need to know about who is being brought in, who needs to be brought in, where to reprimand or even fire and a whole lot more. In fact, as the human resources team, you are responsible for practically everything related to the employees within your business. ‍ Planning properly means that you’ll be able to plan and be prepared for whatever might happen within the company. It means that if you need to bring in new people or if you need to get rid of some you’ll be prepared for it and know how to do it and what to do. It allows you to have the tools you need to keep your company running smoothly and makes sure that each of the people who are brought into the team can execute the tasks that they need to make the business a success. But how does a Gantt chart fit into that? ‍ A Gantt chart is perfect for human resource planning because it gives you plenty of strategic opportunities. You can easily document progress on any projects, processes, and even individuals that you need to within your charts and you can make sure that you are mapping out and even designing your strategies effectively.

2. Construction Gantt

Anyone can tell you that managing a construction project is crucial. Without adequate planning, things can easily go wrong and you could end up with some serious problems. In fact, projects could be completed incorrectly, leading to wasted money, time, and potentially even to injury. That’s why making sure you have everything written down, planned out, and carried out in the proper sequence and more is something you absolutely want to work on. But how do you make sure that you’re doing all of those things? With a Gantt chart, of course. ‍ When you plan properly you can make sure that you have all of the right tools and equipment. You can make sure you have all of the right people and you can make sure that you are on the right path to getting the project done properly and quickly, no matter what it is that you’re actually doing. In fact, Gantt charts can be used for small projects or large projects and they’re important for anything you want to put together as well. ‍ These charts will allow you to make sure you keep on schedule when it comes to your timeline and that each step of the process is not only being done but being done correctly. You’ll be able to visualize all of the tasks and even organize and prioritize as well as assigning each of the tasks to different members of your team.

3. Sales Process

When you’re in charge of sales you must know what’s selling and what’s not. You need to know who is doing well with their sales and you need to know who isn’t holding up their end. Not to mention you’re going to need to know who you still need to reach out to about a lead or who needs a follow-up call and a whole lot more. If you don’t keep track of all of these things at once you risk missing out on a whole lot of money and sales. That’s definitely not something you’re going to want when it comes to making a living on sales. ‍ If you’re a sales rep yourself you can keep track of all of your personal sales, contacts, leads, and more with a Gantt chart. If you’re the one in charge of all of the sales reps it’s even more important to use one of these charts to make sure you know what everyone is doing and if they’re actually holding up the standards that they should be. You might also want to recommend that each of your team has their own Gantt chart to track their information while you’re using it to keep track of all of them as a whole. ‍ With one of these charts, you can slim down the sales process and start feeling a whole lot better about how well you’re keeping on things. There’s no longer any reason to worry about something slipping through the cracks because the Gantt chart holds everything you need to know.

4. Product Roadmap Template

All right, so you’re ready to create a new product but you have a whole lot of steps to get through before it’s going to be ready, right? Well, that’s not going to be a problem if you know how to track it all. You need an organizational structure that lets you map out each of the different things that go into creating your product. You also need to make sure that you’re following all of the right formattings, meeting all of the deadlines, and a whole lot more. When you have a way to organize all of this information you’re going to be off to a better start. ‍ You’ll have no problem creating an effective roadmap if you know where to start and a Gantt chart is going to be a great way to do exactly that. This type of chart will let you layout each of the major tasks that need to be completed between where you are now and where you want to be (launching your product). You can set each of them up as separate tasks and then create subtasks within each of them. Those subtasks can even be assigned to different people on your team or given different deadlines and more to make sure that they get done. ‍ With a Gantt chart and proper organization, you’re going to make sure that you have everything you need to get your product off the ground. Create a high-class strategy and actually put it into action and you’re going to be off to a great start. Plus, you’re definitely not going to skip out on making a Gantt chart next time when you see how simple it is and how much easier it makes things.

5. Digital Marketing Plan Template

Digital marketing is a crucial aspect of any business because it pertains to the advertising that your customers and potential customers will see about you. In most cases, this pertains to advertising through social media, but it can pertain to other forms of digital conduct as well. Plus, done properly, it’s going to make sure that you can reach out to the right people. You want your target audience to be able to find you, and digital marketing is one of the only ways you’re going to do that. ‍ A Gantt chart allows you to create a plan for all of your digital marketing. Instead of just creating advertising as you go along or just ‘winging it’ you’re going to have the ability to actually lay out a cohesive strategy that will get you from point A to point B in no time. You just have to lay out the different pieces of the puzzles, including the different tasks that need to be accomplished and who is going to work on them. All of this is going to make it easier for you to execute the plan. ‍ With your Gantt chart, you won’t have a problem building a marketing plan schedule that’s extensive and in-depth because you can create all of the tasks and sub-tasks and more that you need. You’ll be able to oversee everything that goes into your project as well, including budgeting, deadlines, and even who the different tasks are assigned to.

6. Employee Onboarding Template

When you bring a new employee into your team you want to make sure that they can actually fit in with the team and with all of the different aspects of the job. But how do you make sure of that? You need a consistent onboarding process that will help you along the way. With an onboarding process, you’re going to have a better chance of getting your new employees up to the standard that you want in a short amount of time. You won’t have to worry about someone falling behind or not knowing how to carry out something because they’ll be fully trained. ‍ When it comes to training new people it can be difficult to keep track of what they need to know and what they’ve already gone through. With a Gantt chart, you can create sections and tasks for each new employee and make sure that you’re going through each of those tasks with them. That’s going to make the process of onboarding more efficient and more effective. Not to mention it’s going to make your new employees and your existing employees feel a whole lot better about the arrangement. ‍ A Gantt chart makes sure that you can create the exact onboarding process that you want. You can set up as many or as few steps as you like and you can customize the entire chart to fit your preferences for visualization and more.

7. Video Production Template

Producing a video is a lot like producing a product in that there are a whole lot of different steps involved and you have to make sure that you don’t miss any of them. If you do you could find yourself struggling to get that video out at all let alone getting people to pay for it. But when you get organized you’ll have the opportunity to stay in charge of your project and to stay on track at all times as well. That means managing the writing, shooting, editing, and more. And it’s all important no matter the length of your video. ‍ With a video production Gantt chart, you’re going to have a method of creating structure and flow to your process. You’ll be able to keep yourself moving in the right direction at every turn and you’ll be able to manage input, suggestions, requirements, and content from different people and even different departments as needed. You’ll even be able to keep careful watch over what everyone is doing and whether tasks are being done properly and on schedule. ‍ Using a Gantt chart makes sure that all of the steps that have to be carried out don’t get too overwhelming. After all, with everything you’re responsible for making that project go off without a hitch you might be a bit nervous about something being missed or not done to the standard you expect. With a chart to organize, you don’t have to worry about any of that.

8. Mobile App Development Project Plan Template

Building a mobile app is an important step for just about any business. After all, in today’s world, it’s more common to find an app available for a brand or company that you want to associate with than it is to not find one. You don’t want to be the only company that doesn’t have an app when you’re trying to get attention and business from customers. And that’s only for businesses that exist outside of an app. If you’re looking to create an application as your business it’s even more crucial to get things right. ‍ With a Gantt chart, you’re going to have the ability to layout the steps that it takes to create your app. And that means everything from designing what the app is going to do to actually going through the process of creation. It means working with a host of different people, departments, and more to get that app done from scratch. And when you use a Gantt chart to help you you’ll be improving your chances of getting it done properly and more quickly. That’s kind of the whole point, right? You want to make sure everything is done in a way that gets you to a successful launch? ‍ Well, a Gantt chart makes sure that you can set up your timeline properly and then follow through with every step along the way. You can make sure that each task is assigned to someone and that they are being completed by the deadline. And you can make sure that you always have the equipment, people, and tools that you’re going to need.

9. Social Media Planner Template

If you’re going to be involved with social media in any way you need to keep track of your posts, your content, and a whole lot more. You need to know how to track where you’re posting, what you’re posting, and when you’re posting. Not only that but you’re going to need a way to make posting even easier so that you can really build up engagement. You may even want to make sure you can keep track of what’s doing well and what isn’t doing so well in the process. ‍ By creating a social media planner you’re going to improve your chances of actually posting all of the times that you want to. You’re less likely to miss a post because everything is scheduled out for you and makes it easy to remember. You can even layout information with more than just your own charts involved. If you want to keep track of someone else’s social media you can do that too. Or you can have multiple people work with you in creating your own. All you have to do is create a Gantt chart and you’re going to have no problem pushing through. ‍ These charts allow you to set up details of what you want to post so you know when to do it, where to post it, who’s in charge of the post, and anything else that you want. You can also adjust and rearrange your posts and content however you want and whenever you want. All of that is going to make it easier for you to stay on top of your goals and plans for your social media pages, whether for personal or professional use.

10. Gantt Chart Template for Email Marketing Specialists

Are you an email marketing specialist? If you are then you absolutely need to keep track of timing for your email marketing campaigns. You need to keep track of content that’s doing well and content that isn’t and you absolutely need to make sure that you’re always aware of what’s happening within your business. That means keeping track of a whole bunch of dates, times, contacts, subjects, and more. But just strategizing things on your own can be a whole lot more difficult than you might have thought. ‍ The key is using a Gantt chart to make sure you stay on top of everything. As an email marketer, if you don’t keep track of everything related to your emails and your contacts you could miss out on a whole lot of sales. Not to mention you could find yourself losing contacts and leads. Instead, you want to make sure that you have a chart to track your tasks, including follow-ups, strategies, resources, actions, and a lot more. All of these things are going to make it easier for you to get on task and to stay that way. ‍ With a Gantt chart, you’re going to be ahead of the game when it comes to laying out your strategy and then executing that strategy to the fullest. You’ll be able to make sure that every person that comes into contact with you or your business in any way is going to get the full experience of your company.

Conclusion time

If you’re looking to start using Gantt charts for yourself and your business make sure you’re getting creative about it. There are plenty of options when it comes to these charts and the ones we’ve talked about here are just a small peek into those options. All you have to do is take a look and see how you can customize things to fit your needs. Luckily, when it comes to creativity, flexibility, and user-friendliness, you’re definitely not going to go wrong with Gantt charts for your company, no matter what industry you’re actually in. ‍ Instagantt will provide you with all of the features and options that you need in order to make Gantt charts work for you. Whether you’ve ever used them before or not, you will be able to create one in no time because this system makes it as simple as possible. The user-friendly, intuitive design and customizable features will ensure you have nothing to worry about when it comes to creating the type of chart you and your business need.

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3 Gantt chart examples

At work, reinventing the wheel isn’t always necessary and this also rings true with Gantt charts — it’s sometimes helpful to take inspiration from existing Gantt chart examples, weaving all of those ideas into one perfect creation.

Sometimes, all we need is a little inspiration to get going. In the next few minutes, we’ll go over some Gantt chart basics and highlight some of our favorites. Up first, defining Gantt charts.

What do we mean when we use the term Gantt chart?

Gantt charts are a type of bar chart that allow project managers to visualize a project timeline, resource allocations, and how individual tasks within a project are interrelated. Gantt charts might be the oldest tool in your project management tool chest, dated right back to  1896  when they were first created by Henry Gantt. Now, fast forward to today. What are some of the ways modern professionals use Gantt charts? Let’s get into the specifics.

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What is the purpose of Gantt charts?

At the fundamental level, Gantt charts are used for planning and managing projects, though they are definitely stronger on the planning side of things (more on this later).

More specifically, Gantt charts are used by project managers to:

• Plan and allocate resources
• Determine task dependencies
• Understand project timelines
• Determine the  critical path
• Set project priorities

Fun fact: the  Hoover Dam ‘s builders used a Gantt chart to manage the construction.

What are some essential parts of a Gantt chart?

A simple Gantt chart is comprised of:

• Timeline:  the timeline spans left to right, is usually measured in days, and depicting the dates the project will take place.
• Tasks:  each rectangle on the Gantt chart represents an individual task that contributes toward the project.
• Duration:  the length of each task determines how long it is going to take. These are often marked by a start date and end date.
• Assignees : most Gantt chart software platforms allow you to assign tasks to different team members, which may be displayed in real time as names or images.
• Milestones : milestones are tasks with no duration, which are ticked off when a major section of the project is completed or major events occur. Often, larger projects will be split up into multiple phases, represented as milestones on a Gantt chart.
• Dependencies:  one of the most important features of a Gantt chart is its ability to show task dependencies, which are when a task can’t begin or end until another task has started or finished. Poorly planned projects (and unaccounted for dependencies) is a major reason why projects fail  12%  of the time, so a strong understanding of task order and duration is a major key to project success.

What is Gantt chart software?

You can imagine that some 120 years ago, when Gantt charts were first invented, creating and updating them was a bit of a nightmare. You’d have to draw up a completely new one every single time the project schedule changed.

Luckily for us, today we have an easier and faster way to create a Gantt chart.

Using a comprehensive Gantt chart software platform, project managers can simply punch in the project data, assign and notify team members responsible for specific tasks, and adjust as required.

Online Gantt charts can help you effectively manage everything from marketing campaigns to construction projects to social media strategies, but of course, this project planning technique looks different for everyone.

3 different Gantt chart examples 

So, what do Gantt charts look like? Do they vary from use to use, or can you copy and paste each one? Let’s take a look at three simple Gantt chart examples ranging in functionality.

1. Gantt Chart for Project Management

Of course, the number one use for Gantt charts is project management.

We’ll start with an example built for teams company-wide. You’ll notice in this sample Gantt chart, the tasks are color coded and divided into several sections, such as Planning and Execution. The UX is clean, sleek, and intuitive.

Gantt charts like the above allow project managers to separate project schedule into phases for the sake of simplification. This also makes it easy for a team leader to quickly see where the project stands.

Some advanced Gantt chart tools even allow you to filter out data to really narrow down on a specific part of your project plan .

2. Gantt Chart for Business Plans 

If you’re thinking of starting up a new business, Gantt charts can be a great way to determine the steps you’ll need to take before going to market.

In the below project Gantt chart example, you’ll see that the stage ‘identify needed resources’ depends on the previous stage: ‘Interview owners of similar businesses.’

( Image Source )

Though this follows the standard organizational methods of a Gantt chart, this example is packed with text and information making it slightly harder to understand with a single glance.

3. Gantt Chart for Marketing Campaigns 

You can plan and manage all kinds of marketing campaigns with Gantt charts.

The below example, shows how a company might plan their communications around email campaigns, events and social media campaigns.

We’ve seen a few Gantt chart samples, but let’s get to the bottom line. Next, we’ll identify which platforms provide you with the tools you need to create your ideal Gantt chart.

Which Gantt chart tool is right for you?

Creating Gantt charts has never been easier. We have access to all kinds of online Gantt chart tools that allow project managers to have their project in a chart within minutes.

Even many of the software programs you use on a daily basis can be used to create Gantt charts (although it’s not always ideal). Take the following popular tool for instance:

Gantt Chart in Excel

It’s possible to create an Excel Gantt chart , but it’s not always easy to identify all the information you need to stay organized.

As you can see, it’s not the most detailed of Gantt charts. There’s no room for assigning people to tasks or to group items within a task. On Excel, creating dependencies and task updates takes more effort.

Pro tip: Look for tools that have time and date customization, a way to assign tasks to teammates, a status column to to update stakeholders, and a view that makes it easy for anyone to understand project progress straightaway.

Gantt Chart in PowerPoint 

As PowerPoint is a more visual medium than Excel, there are slightly more customization options. In the example below, you see the addition of color coded months and teams, along with a clearer way to mark milestones.

Though more colorful, Gantt chart in Microsoft Powerpoint might not be the best option for ongoing project management, as they still lack the full picture more robust solutions provide.

Gantt Chart in Word 

Microsoft Word is one of the most widely used software product in the world, so it’s unsurprising that project managers have figured out a way to use it to create Gantt charts.

Here’s an example of a Gantt chart for a business plan.

Though much more detailed than the Excel version, it’s still lacking an interactive element that helps teams adapt to project challenges or updates on the fly.

We may have gone over some big names, but there’s one software we haven’t mentioned yet.

A truly interactive Gantt chart example that raises the bar

On monday.com, you can fully customize your Gantt chart and easily share it with your team! You can also assign tasks and notify team members of roadblocks or status updates, attach documents and comments, access the information in several different views, easily access your data, and much more.

Let’s take a look at some of these capabilities more in depth:

Assign and notify team members

With monday.com, you can assign tasks to new team members, tag them in comments, and send them reminders when tasks are overdue.

These reminders can even be integrated with other tools you might already be using, like Zoom. Once you assign a team member, they’ll receive a notification and be able to see all updates in real-time and follow up right from the chart.

Want to share your Gantt chart with external stakeholders but don’t want them having access to every aspect of your plan? Just jump into the settings window and set their individual viewing permissions.

Attach documents and comments to tasks for in-chart context

No need to scour your email trying to look for messages and important documents. On monday.com, users can attach documents and add comments to individual project tasks, ensuring one point of truth for smooth flowing projects.

All communications are within the context of that specific task or project so you and your team save time and increase efficiency.

See the same project in different views

Feel like a Kanban board might suit you better for day-to-day workflows? There’s no need to create an entirely new project in that view. With monday.com, you can simply choose a new view with all the same data.

You can even view your project in two views at once, using split-screen mode. In the image below, we see that this team member prefers to use a Gantt chart as well as board view to check the project status.

Create smart workflow automations that  work for you

Repetitive admin tasks like updating timelines and notifying your teammates take up time. Precious time that, is better used elsewhere.

With a monday.com Gantt chart, you can set up automation actions to automatically complete these simple tasks for you. We can in the below image the automations in progress, but you could create your own in the automations center using a variety of prebuilt recipes. Just choose your triggers, actions, and conditions and you’re all set!

Drag and drop tasks for easy updates to your chart

Projects are rarely linear; it will likely take a few twists and turns as it progresses. Being able to simply click, drag, and reorder tasks makes editing Gantt charts simple; exactly what you need when the project scope constantly changes.

Analyze intuitive reports

Visibility into completed work is easy with monday.com. Our software offers a host of reports and dashboard for quick project analysis.

You can view progress whichever way you prefer, including handy bar charts that break projects down by task, status, person responsible, or any other way you want to slice and dice it.

Start creating your personalized Gantt chart!

We hope by now you’re feeling inspired to create your very own Gantt chart.

It might feel a bit daunting at first, especially if you haven’t built one before, but softwares like monday.com take Gantt charts to the next level, make getting started a breeze, and support customization options to specifically fit your needs, even as the project scope changes. So if you’re looking to get started quickly, check out our example Gantt charts template below.

• Project schedule management

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Gantt Chart for Business plan

You can easily edit this template using Creately's gantt chart maker . You can export it in multiple formats like JPEG, PNG and SVG and easily add it to Word documents, Powerpoint (PPT) presentations, Excel or any other documents. You can export it as a PDF for high-quality printouts.

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What Is a Gantt Chart? (Examples & Templates)

Presented by projectmanager, the gantt chart software used to plan over 2 million projects. make a gantt chart in minutes.

What Is a Gantt Chart? Definition & History

What is the purpose of a gantt chart, what is included in a gantt chart, what is a gantt chart used for, how are gantt charts used in project management, gantt chart examples.

• Free Gantt Chart Templates

How to Use a Gantt Chart

Benefits and advantages of a gantt chart, disadvantages of using a gantt chart, gantt chart alternatives, what is gantt chart software.

• How to Make a Gantt Chart With Gantt Chart Software

Who Uses a Gantt Chart?

Gantt chart video for beginners, gantt chart faqs.

A Gantt chart is a project management tool that allows project managers to create a project schedule by mapping project tasks over a visual timeline which shows the order in which they’ll be completed, when they’re due, their duration and other details about them such as their percentage of completion. Every Gantt chart has two main parts, a grid or task list on the left side and a project timeline on the right.

The Gantt chart was created by Henry Gantt in the early 20th century to improve project planning, scheduling and tracking by illustrating completed work compared to planned work. Today, project managers and team members use Gantt charts to plan projects, create a project schedule, allocate resources and track progress with just one project management tool.

However, there’s so much more to know about Gantt charts beyond a simple Gantt chart definition. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the main aspects that you need to know about Gantt charts including what they’re used for and the different methods and tools you can use to make one, such as Gantt chart software .

This guide also has examples and free Gantt chart templates you can use to get started quickly. We’ve even created industry-specific Gantt chart templates so you can create project schedules for your business in minutes.

At a basic level, a Gantt chart allows project, program and portfolio managers to easily map out project plans by organizing project tasks on a visual timeline. However, Gantt charts are used for many other purposes in project planning, project scheduling, project tracking and resource management.

With ProjectManager’s Gantt chart, you can assign tasks to your team members, set due dates, estimate costs and monitor progress in real time. The best part is that it can be used along with other project management tools such as kanban boards, real-time project dashboards, timesheets and team collaboration tools.

There are two halves to most Gantt chart tools you see online today. On the left is a grid that lists project tasks and important information about them and on the right, there’s the Gantt chart timeline, a visual representation of the project schedule.

Gantt Chart Grid

The grid of a Gantt chart is where you list project tasks and project scheduling details about them. The Gantt chart grid is the most important component of your Gantt chart because the data you enter here will be used to populate the Gantt chart timeline.

The more details about your project tasks you can add to a Gantt chart grid, the more aspects of your project plan you’ll be able to track.

Basic Gantt chart software only allows you to assign tasks to your team members and create project timelines based on the due dates and duration of your project tasks. However, more advanced Gantt chart software like ProjectManager enables you to track other areas of your project.

Here are some of the key aspects of your project you can track with ProjectManager’s Gantt chart grid.

• Task name: Briefly describe your task. You can also add more task details using other project views such as kanban boards and task lists.
• Task owner: Assign tasks to team members.
• Task priority: Set a priority level for all your project tasks so you can better allocate your resources.
• Project phases: In most projects, there’s a set of well-defined phases that are made up of related tasks.
• Work breakdown structure level: The work breakdown structure level is a number that allows you to understand the order in which project tasks must be completed and what project phase they’re in.
• Project milestones: Track project milestones, which are major events, accomplishments or deliverables in your project timeline.
• Resource requirements: Indicate what resources are needed to complete each project task, including labor and non-labor resources such as raw materials, equipment or machinery.
• Estimated & actual costs: Estimate costs for each project task, create a project budget and then log the actual costs as tasks are executed so you can determine whether your project is on, over or under budget.

Now, let’s go over the other half of any Gantt diagram, the Gantt chart timeline.

Gantt Chart Timeline

The Gantt chart timeline is a stacked bar chart where each project task is represented by a bar that runs on the horizontal axis. The task bars start on the date that the work is scheduled to start and end on the date when it’s expected to finish. The longer the bar, the longer the task will take.

But that’s not everything a Gantt chart timeline shows. Based on the data from the Gantt chart grid, ProjectManager’s robust Gantt chart timeline lets you zoom in on the following details of your project schedule .

• Due dates & task duration: Add planned start and planned finish dates and adjust them at any time by dragging and dropping tasks on the Gantt timeline. You can also compare planned vs. actual task duration.
• Task dependencies: You can also show the task dependencies in number form. Choose the “Linked From” column in the column settings. Task dependencies are represented as arrows that link tasks in the Gantt chart timeline.
• Percent complete: A figure, mostly always based on an educated guess by the project team, of how much work they have done and how much is still to do.
• Critical path activities: ProjectManager’s Gantt chart maker automatically identifies the critical path based on your project task list, dependencies and due dates.

Free Gantt Chart Template

Need help building a Gantt chart? Try ProjectManager’s free Gantt chart template and practice adding tasks, dependencies, phases, milestones and more on a dynamic Gantt chart.

On the left-hand side is the data grid, where the various phases of the project are outlined. Under each color-coded phase are the tasks associated with it, including WBS, assignees, due dates and other resources needed to execute the scheduled tasks.

The visual timeline on the right is where things get interesting. You can see the entire project in one place, dependent tasks can be linked and milestones added to indicate important dates. Put your Gantt chart knowledge to the test and build one today. Get started for free.

Because the Gantt chart is such a diverse project management tool for identifying timelines and task dependencies, it can be used in any industry or field. Here are some examples.

• Gantt charts in project management : Gantt charts compile the information project managers need to create a visual timeline that shows all the elements of a project plan in one place. With Gantt charts, project managers can schedule projects, allocate resources, set cost and scope baselines, and identify the critical path.
• Gantt charts in construction: Construction Gantt charts are used by project owners, general contractors and construction project managers to plan the different phases of a construction project, such as initiation, pre-construction and procurement. However, Gantt charts can also be used on a smaller scale to manage everyday tasks.
• Gantt charts in software engineering: Software engineering teams use Gantt charts to create project roadmaps , which are essential for task management when developing new products. This is done by simply mapping software development tasks on a timeline, just as if it was a project plan.
• Gantt charts in manufacturing: Gantt charts can be used to plan, schedule and track multiple aspects of the manufacturing process. For example, you can use Gantt charts to create product roadmaps, production schedules and map the product development cycle.
• Gantt charts in project portfolio management: Gantt charts can be also used to create a portfolio roadmap, which is a timeline that allows project portfolio managers and project management offices (PMOs) to track the progress of multiple projects.

These are only some of the most common use cases for Gantt charts, but they can be used for managing projects across industries. Now, let’s take a closer look at how Gantt charts are used in project management.

Gantt charts can be used to plan, schedule and track projects of all sizes and industries, mainly because they’re compatible with most project management methodologies , such as waterfall and agile.

Gantt Charts in Waterfall Planning

Waterfall project management consists in planning a project in sequential phases. These project phases are planned in advance and then executed in order from beginning to end without making many changes to the original project plan. Gantt charts are ideal to map out such projects as they allow project managers to visualize task dependencies and establish task sequences on a project timeline.

Gantt Charts in Agile Planning

Unlike waterfall, agile planning consists in planning short iterations of work of one to two weeks known as agile sprints , where teams plan and execute their work. They then have short meetings where they review their performance and plan the next sprint. While Gantt charts aren’t commonly used to plan sprints, they help agile teams to map out their project plan or product development roadmap at large, which lets them see the bigger picture of their projects.

These two project management approaches are used to manage most projects, even though there are other methodologies that can be used for specific industries or scenarios. However, the best way to understand how Gantt charts are used in project management is to look at some Gantt chart examples.

We’ve created two Gantt chart examples using ProjectManager to see how Gantt charts can be used for managing different types of projects. These Gantt chart examples show a schedule for a construction and a manufacturing project, which are two of the industries where Gantt charts are used the most.

In these Gantt chart examples, you can easily see:

• The Gantt chart timeline
• What the project tasks are
• Which team member is working on each task
• When project activities start and finish
• The percent complete for each activity and work package
• How tasks group together, overlap and link with each other
• Task dependencies such as finish-to-start, start-to-start, finish-to-finish and start-to-finish
• Milestones and project phases on the schedule

Construction Gantt Chart Example

This Gantt chart example shows a construction schedule that’s divided into six project phases: contracts, design, procurement, construction, post-construction and closing.

Defining project phases is the first step when using a Gantt chart for planning a project. It helps break down the project plan into smaller steps that are easier to manage. Once you’ve defined project phases, you can proceed to identify the individual tasks for each of them, as shown in the image.

Once you’ve identified your project tasks, you’ll need to add as much information as possible about them, such as their planned due dates, duration, dependencies, resource requirements, estimated costs and other relevant details.

Once you’ve added all these details to each project task column, the Gantt chart timeline will show your project tasks, their dependencies, assignee and percent complete.

The best part of using ProjectManager’s Gantt charts to create a project schedule is that you can simply drag and drop these bars in the Gantt chart timeline to adjust the project tasks’ due dates or their duration. You can easily add or remove dependencies and identify project milestones.

Our construction schedule Gantt chart template also allows you to use other advanced Gantt chart features such as creating project baselines, finding the critical path and tracking the resource utilization and costs for each of your tasks.

Manufacturing Gantt Chart Example

While managing the production process is completely different from managing a construction project , the steps for creating a schedule using a Gantt chart are the same. You’ll also need to define project phases, break down your project scope into tasks, identify dependencies and add project task details to the Gantt chart.

This Gantt chart example shows a manufacturing project that consists of creating a product from scratch and then creating a production schedule for manufacturing it. The phases for this manufacturing project are product ideation, design, prototyping, pre-production and production.

Our Gantt chart production schedule template allows you to track each step in the product development process, such as ideating your product, establishing its feasibility, creating a proof of concept, making a prototype, testing its quality and more.

Then, once you have a working prototype that’s ready to be launched into the market, you can use the Gantt chart to schedule the production process and estimate the time it’ll take to manufacture it, the needed resources and your production costs.

Using Gantt chart software for tracking the production process is ideal for manufacturing businesses that execute multiple projects simultaneously .

However, creating a Gantt chart from scratch can be an overwhelming process, especially for those who are just getting started with this project management tool. If you’re not ready to use Gantt chart software yet, you can try using a Gantt chart template for Excel, PowerPoint, Google Sheets or Word.

Free Gantt Chart Templates for Excel, PowerPoint & More

We’ve created several Gantt chart templates that can facilitate the process of creating and using a Gantt chart to manage your projects. Simply enter your project information and follow the instructions to create a Gantt chart for projects in minutes.

Free Gantt Chart Template for Excel

This free Gantt chart Excel template helps you build a Gantt chart and a project timeline in minutes. It gives you a visual overview of your entire project from start to finish.

Simply add all of the tasks needed to reach your final deliverable and manually update any changes during the execution of the project. It’s a great example of a Gantt chart in Microsoft Excel .

Free Gantt Chart Template for Google Sheets

This free Gantt chart template for Google Sheets is similar to an Excel Gantt chart, but it can be accessed by your team members online, instead of having to download a file and store it in their computers. This also means you can collaborate with your team online so any file changes can be seen by anyone with access to it.

Free Gantt Chart Template for PowerPoint

This free Gantt chart template for PowerPoint allows you to create a simple Gantt chart based on your project task names, duration and due dates. You can attach them to any PowerPoint presentation, which helps communicate the progress of your project in a visual format that can be easily understood by most people.

Free Gantt Chart Template for Word

While Microsoft Word might not be the first software you think of when looking for a tool to make a Gantt chart, it can be used to make Gantt charts. In fact, this free Gantt chart template for Word is as good as the Excel or PowerPoint Gantt chart. The key difference is that this Gantt chart template for Word is designed for adding a Gantt chart to project documents.

However, these free Gantt chart templates are best suited for creating simple Gantt charts , as they lack advanced project management features that are needed for larger projects such as resource management and cost tracking.

Now that we have more context about Gantt charts, let’s explore how to use a Gantt chart for planning, scheduling and tracking your projects . Below, we’ll explain some of the most common uses for Gantt charts in project management.

Create a Work Breakdown Structure

Before you can use a Gantt chart to create a project schedule , you’ll need to first identify all the individual tasks that make up the total amount of work that’s needed for your project. A work breakdown structure (WBS) is a tool that can help you with this process. It’s important that you do this during the project planning phase so you don’t miss any project tasks.

Create a Task List and a Gantt Chart Timeline

Now create a Gantt table by listing down your project tasks, their due dates, duration and any other details you’d like to track about them such has resource requirements or costs. Then Use this information to create Gantt chart timeline, which at a basic level should show the dates and duration of project tasks.

Identify Task Dependencies

One of the key aspects that differentiate Gantt charts from other project planning tools is that they allow project managers to identify and visualize task dependencies . A task dependency is simply the relationship project tasks have among each other that dictates the order in which they must be completed. While Gantt charts let you represent task dependencies, these can’t be automatically determined. It’s your responsibility as a project manager to define them, otherwise, the project schedule won’t be accurate.

Find the Critical Path of Your Project

The critical path of a project is the longest sequence of tasks that need to be executed. It’s important to determine what your critical path is because if those tasks are delayed the whole project completion will be delayed. Luckily some Gantt chart software alternatives will automatically do this for you.

Track Gantt Chart Milestones

Gantt charts allow you to track project milestones, which are important events that occur at some point in your project timeline. Project milestones can be used to create a milestone chart, which is a simplified version of your project timeline that summarizes major activities, project deliverables and accomplishments so that you can track how a project is progressing from a high-level view.

Allocate, Schedule and Track Resources

Gantt charts can be more than just a project scheduling tool, they can also be used to estimate what resources are needed to complete your project, allocate resources for the execution of work and track resource utilization throughout the project life cycle. ProjectManager’s Gantt chart, for example, syncs with real-time dashboards that allow you to monitor the utilization of project resources in real time and workload charts that let you balance your team’s workload.

Create Project Baselines and Compare Planned vs. Actual Results

Gantt charts should be used to map your project plan, but also record the actual results of your project. ProjectManager’s Gantt chart allows you to compare the estimated costs and due dates of your tasks against the actual values so you can determine whether your project is being executed within the boundaries of your project budget or schedule.

The Gantt chart is one, if not the most important project management tool to plan, schedule and track projects. Here are some of the main pros and cons of using Gantt charts to manage projects from any industry.

• Gantt charts allow project managers to turn complex project plans into a visual project timeline that’s easy to understand.
• Gantt charts are the perfect tool to compare the actual performance of your project team against the original project plan, schedule and cost baselines to determine whether a project is being completed on time and under budget .
• Gantt charts allow project managers to understand both the scope of a project and its schedule from start to end, including task dependencies.
• Gantt charts are also considered a resource management tool because they allow project managers to understand how they’re allocating their resources .

Even though Gantt charts are one of the most important project management tools, there are some cases in which they might not be the ideal solution.

• Gantt charts can be hard to understand for some team members and stakeholders who aren’t used to them.
• Not all Gantt chart software available in the market offers the same features, which is something to look out for as some lack important features.
• Other project tools such as task lists or kanban boards can be an easier method to keep track of tasks, such as when managing small teams, or short-term projects.
• Gantt charts operate in a linear fashion and aren’t very dynamic for agile projects.

Gantt charts are not the only project management chart you can use to create a project schedule or manage project tasks. There are other tools you can use such as PERT charts, kanban boards or network diagrams . Here’s how Gantt charts compare to these tools.

Gantt Chart vs. Network Diagram

Network diagrams are a project planning chart that can help you visualize the order in which tasks must be completed, so everyone on your team has a clear idea of how work will be executed. Additionally, project network diagrams can help identify task dependencies that might be in your project plan, which is an important factor to consider when creating a project schedule.

In project management, network diagrams are used as part of the program evaluation and review technique (PERT) and the critical path method (CPM), which are two important project scheduling methods.

However, network diagrams can only help you during the project scheduling process, but can’t be used for tracking the progress of your project, as they lack task, resource or cost-tracking features.

Gantt Chart vs. PERT Chart

PERT charts are a network diagram that allows you to map the task sequences that make up your project, estimate its total duration and identify critical path activities.

To do so, you’ll need to use the PERT chart formula, which factors in the start and finish dates of your project tasks, dependencies between them and estimated duration.

However, PERT charts aren’t as versatile as Gantt charts as they won’t allow you to assign tasks to your team members, create a project timeline or monitor the percentage of completion of tasks.

Gantt Chart vs. Kanban Board

Kanban boards are a popular task management tool that can be used for managing projects across industries. A kanban board consists of a set of columns and cards. The columns indicate the status of a project task, such as “to do” or “completed” while kanban cards represent project tasks.

Kanban boards are a great task management tool for managing the everyday tasks and workflows of your team but they won’t allow you to create a project timeline or get a high-level view of your project plan like a Gantt chart would. This makes Gantt charts a better tool than kanban boards for project planning and scheduling.

This doesn’t mean you can’t use Gantt charts and kanban boards for managing your projects. In fact, this is greatly advised, as each of these project management tools can help you manage your projects from different perspectives.

Once computers introduced new ways of working, project managers found they could save time in creating and updating their Gantt charts. Gantt chart software, also called project planning, project management, or even project scheduling software, was created to automate the process to support more advanced Gantt requirements like creating task dependencies, adding milestones or identifying the critical path of a project plan.

Watch the video below for a quick introduction to ProjectManager’s online Gantt chart maker and its benefits.

Many project managers traditionally used local desktop programs like Microsoft Project —and many still do. But today, most Gantt chart makers and project management software have moved online, enabling anyone to create shareable and collaborative Gantt charts and project plans.

Choosing the right project management tool for your team is an essential task, so we’ve reviewed the best free and paid Gantt chart software and ranked them based on their key features, pros and cons. It’ll help you better understand what to look for when comparing Gantt chart software.

Must-Have Gantt Chart Software Features

While no two Gantt chart tools are the same, there are key features that you'll need to get the most out of your Gantt chart tool:

Milestones are represented by a diamond symbol on the Gantt diagram and have no duration. A milestone marks the end of a piece of work, task sequence or project management phase. They’re often fixed dates or important dates on your project schedule that you need to be aware of. Read more: Learn how to use milestones in your scheduling.

Task Dependencies

These show which tasks are linked together. Links are shown with lines on the Gantt chart, and the arrow points to the task that comes next. Task dependencies can be set up as start-to-finish, start-to-start, finish-to-finish or finish-to-start. Read more: Learn how to manage task dependencies.

Summary Tasks

A summary task is a skinny ‘umbrella’ task above various individual tasks. It’s a good way of using a Gantt diagram to group activities together, especially as part of a project stage or phase. You can ‘roll up’ your tasks (in other words, hide them from view) so that only the summary task is shown. The summary task also displays the task progress with shading, so you can view the progress of all tasks underneath in that one bar.

Collaboration

A Gantt chart without collaboration is just a static plan. It’s nice to have, but it isn’t helping you advance the work your team is doing. Be sure that you can chat or comment around tasks to keep the workflow documented. Your team will then get alerts every time a task has been updated, so they know when new activity has occurred.

File Sharing

It’s important as you collaborate to also be able to attach files, images, videos or other notes to document the task progress and keep all the task information together. That way, you always know where to look to find the files related to the tasks you’re scheduling on your Gantt diagram.

Planned vs. Actual Progress

This is represented in a couple different ways on the Gantt diagram. Shading on the bar indicates how complete the planned work is. When the bar is shaded, the task is finished. You can also see just a view of the actual progress anytime in the settings. Don’t forget to set a baseline for the best tracking experience.

How to Make a Gantt Chart Online With Gantt Chart Software

Onboarding your team members with ProjectManager’s Gantt chart maker allows you to better plan, schedule and track all types of projects . Once you’ve invited your team members to the new Gantt chart tool, you can start improving the way you manage tasks, resources and timelines. But before we get to the benefits of using online Gantt chart software, let’s go through a step-by-step guide to making a Gantt chart in ProjectManager.

It’s easy for anyone to create a Gantt chart online in ProjectManager. You can import a task list from a CSV file, an Excel Gantt chart template, or a Microsoft Project file or create one from scratch. Unlike Gantt chart Excel templates, our Gantt chart maker does the heavy lifting so you can focus on what’s important.

Simply add project tasks to the tool, fill in the information and a fully-fledged Gantt chart will generate automatically. Our Gantt chart has advanced project management features that’ll let you set task dependencies, identify the critical path and use timesheets for resource tracking, just to name a few.

Also, since it’s an online Gantt chart maker, you and your team members can build the Gantt chart together in real time while you share files and documents with unlimited storage.

Now, without further ado, here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a Gantt chart with ProjectManager , one of the best Gantt chart software available in the market.

1. Create a New Project

When you first log in, you simply enter a project name and select “Create.” You’ll be directed to the Gantt chart view.

2. Add Project Tasks to Your Gantt Chart

As you add tasks, the default date will be today. Since you haven’t added a longer due date than today, the tasks appear in the Gantt chart tool to the right as circles, representing that they start and end today. The dotted line represents today’s date.

3. Assign Tasks to Team Members

You can easily assign or re-assign tasks to team members based on their availability in real time, which is ideal for workload management . When people are assigned tasks, their name appears above the taskbar on the Gantt chart. The Gantt chart maker lets you know whether your team members are available, or if they’re already scheduled for other tasks.

4. Add Due Dates to Your Gantt Chart

As you extend the start and end dates, the task bars on the Gantt chart view extend too, showing you how long each task will take. Add those dates under the planned start and planned finish columns.

5. Prioritize Your Project Tasks

The Gantt chart maker has a task prioritization feature that allows you to establish a priority level for each task so you and your team can focus your efforts on the most important activities. Best of all, this priority tag can also be used in other project views, like task lists and kanban boards for better task tracking.

6. Estimate Task Costs

Add the estimated costs for each task. Our Gantt chart maker helps you estimate labor costs for each project task based on how many team members are working on it and their hourly rate. On top of that, these labor costs are also updated on timesheets you can easily share with your team members.

7. Link Task Dependencies Using the Gantt Chart Timeline

Linking task dependencies is an advanced project planning feature that lets you create a realistic project schedule. There are four types of task dependencies that allow you to understand how your projects’ task sequences are interrelated. In the picture below, you can see how Gantt chart bars are connected by arrows, which indicates there’s a dependency between tasks.

8. Identify Critical Path Activities & Project Milestones

The Gantt chart maker automatically identifies the critical path of your project, which helps you focus on the critical tasks or the tasks that must be completed on time so that your project is completed on time. In addition, you can mark any project task as a milestone, which lets you pinpoint an important achievement, deliverable or the end of a project stage for detailed project tracking .

9. Customize Your Gantt Chart

You can customize your Gantt charts in whatever way suits your team. Here, you can see that different people are represented by different colors on the Gantt taskbars so it’s easy to see at a glance who is responsible for which tasks. Others might use colors on the stacked bar chart to represent different phases of a project or different teams responsible for a group of tasks.

10. Attach Files, Comments or Notes

When your team works collaboratively on an online Gantt chart maker, you can do so much more than just plan tasks. You can add images, videos, links, notes or comments right at the task level, so all the relevant task work is captured and easily accessible in one place.

11. Track Your Team’s Progress

All the updates on the Gantt diagram can be seen in one view. You can see what the team is working on and when tasks have been updated. Team collaboration is easy with online Gantt charts.

It used to be that Gantt charts were the exclusive tool of formally trained project managers. These were people planning complex projects of all different types: construction , engineering, military, manufacturing, infrastructure, IT and more. Creating long task lists and complex project schedules with lots of moving parts, required training in the art and science of task management, critical path analysis, baselining and so on.

Today, nearly everyone can use a Gantt chart to help them visualize their tasks. Because all the difficult work is now done by project management software, anyone can just create a simple task list , add start and end dates, and the software does the work instantly by displaying your tasks over a project timeline.

Gantt charts can be used by all kinds of teams, such as:

• IT & software development teams
• Project management teams
• Marketing teams
• Professional services teams
• Engineering & architectural teams
• Construction teams
• Manufacturing teams
• Product development teams

Here are some examples of potential users of Gantt charts:

• Project managers
• General managers
• Team leaders
• Operations managers
• Scheduling managers
• Marketing managers
• Executives such as CEOs & CTOs
• Anyone who wants an instant view of a project timeline

If you still need help setting up and understanding your Gantt chart, watch this video by Jennifer Bridges, PMP.

If you still have questions about Gantt charts, they should be answered in the following frequently asked questions.

Can You Make a Gantt Chart Online?

Yes, there are online Gantt chart tools such as ProjectManager that allow you to create a Gantt chart online without having to install any software on your Mac or PC.

Can You Make a Gantt Chart in Excel?

Microsoft Excel doesn’t have a Gantt chart feature but you can create one by customizing the stacked bar chart or using one of the free Gantt chart templates available online.

We’ve created a how-to guide with detailed instructions on how to make a Gantt chart in Excel from scratch. Learning to do so allows you to better understand how an Excel Gantt chart works as well as its key features and limitations.

Can You Make a Gantt Chart In Word?

Making a Gantt chart in Word can be very useful as most project teams use Word for creating their project documents. You can create a Gantt chart in Word by inserting a stacked bar chart into a document, adding your project schedule information (such as start, end dates and duration) and customizing the Gantt diagram for greater readability.

Then, once you’ve created your Gantt diagram in Word , you can copy and paste it into any project document you’d like such as a project plan or project proposal.

Can You Make a Gantt Chart in PowerPoint?

Like Word or Excel, PowerPoint allows you to insert stacked bar charts which can be transformed into a Gantt chart. We’ve created a how-to guide with detailed instructions you can follow along if you’d like to make a Gantt chart in PowerPoint.

The best part is that once you create a PowerPoint Gantt chart , you can use it for all your project presentations. Simply copy and paste the PowerPoint Gantt chart into a new presentation and edit its data.

Can You Make a Gantt Chart in Microsoft Project?

Yes, Microsoft Project is project management software equipped with a Gantt chart tool. Some of the key features of Microsoft Project’s Gantt chart are its cost and resource monitoring, critical path analysis, task dependency mapping and milestone tracking.

If you’d like to try Microsoft Project’s Gantt diagram, but need help to get started with this tool, check out our blog on how to make a Gantt chart in Microsoft Project . This blog also goes over the key features, pros and cons of a Microsoft Project Gantt chart.

Can You Make a Gantt Chart in Google Sheets?

To make a Gantt chart in Google Sheets, open a new blank spreadsheet, add the tasks data for your project (including duration, start and end dates), insert a stacked bar graph and then transform the bar graph into a Gantt chart. There are Gantt chart templates for Google Sheets too.

We also have a blog that explains how to make a Gantt chart in Google Sheets , with easy-to-understand steps and images, which makes it ideal for sharing with your team members.

What Does Gantt Stand For?

The Gantt chart was named after Henry Gantt , and many think he was the one who first had the idea of project planning on bar charts. This isn’t entirely true.

Left: Henry Gantt | Right: Karol Adamiecki

Karol Adamiecki devised the first Gantt diagram back in 1896. He was a Polish engineer turned management professor who came up with the idea of displaying processes visually so that he could make it easier to see production schedules. (He did most of his work in the steel industry.) He called it the harmonogram (a much better word) but Adamiecki published his articles on it in Polish and Russian, so the English-speaking world didn’t know much about it.

Henry Gantt had the same idea as Karol Adamiecki, but about 15 years later. In 1910, Gantt started planning visually with bar charts to allow supervisors in the steelworks to see if production was on track or behind schedule. It was Gantt’s name that got attached to this way of project planning, but today it’s generally recognized that Adamiecki had the idea first.

Gantt Chart Resources

• Gantt Chart Software
• Project Scheduling Software
• Project Planning Software
• Project Management Templates
• Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Template
• Gantt Chart Template for Excel
• Gantt Chart Template for PowerPoint
• Project Plan Template
• Best Gantt Chart Software: Paid & Free Options Ranked
• Gantt Chart Task Dependencies
• Easy Ways to Make a Gantt Chart with Google Sheets
• How to Make a Gantt Chart on Mac
• How to Make a Gantt Chart In PowerPoint
• How to Make a Project Schedule
• How to Make a Project Plan
• The Ultimate Guide to the Critical Path Method
• The Ultimate Guide to Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

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8 Gantt Chart Examples to Improve Your Project Management

Table of Contents

A Gantt chart is a very useful tool for project management. But project management software statistics show that as many as a third of users who have access to Gantt charts don’t use them! 

So, we created various Gantt chart examples to show how they can make your life easier.

Read on and learn how to apply Gantt charts in practice. 

What is a Gantt chart?

A Gantt chart is a project management tool that visually represents the project timeline in the form of a bar chart. 

Each task corresponds to one bar on the chart which can be moved across the timeline, depending on its start and end dates. 

Gantt chart is usually used by project managers or business owners, but it can be useful to anyone who needs a clear overview of their workload’s timeline. 

8 Gantt chart examples

In the following text, we offer 8 Gantt chart examples for various types of projects, ranging from architecture to social media. 

Project management Gantt chart example 

A Gantt chart is an essential tool when managing projects. This project management Gantt chart example created in Plaky consists of tasks divided into 3 stages:

• Planning stage, 
• Execution stage, and 
• Retrospective stage. 

There is also a vertical date line on the chart, marking today’s date on the timeline to give you a better perspective of tasks’ timelines.   

This example is quite general, so any company or any team can use it for their projects. 

Free Project Management Software

Why waste time with creating complex Gantt charts in Excel? Speed up and streamline your schedule management process with an easy-to-use project management tool—Try Plaky!

Gantt chart example for architecture

When designing any type of building, precision is a must. That’s why architectural design projects demand a high level of organization.

A Gantt chart helps you visualize all the steps needed to complete your architectural project, ensuring nothing is looked over or forgotten.

In this Gantt chart example, we created an architectural design project for a building. It includes 3 milestones: 

• Exterior design completed, 
• Interior design completed, and 
• Building ready for construction. 

There is also a list of tasks for each milestone, accompanied by task owner, progress, and start and end dates. 

💡 Plaky Pro Tip

If you are looking for an example of Gantt chart templates in Excel, you will find several of them in our article:

• How to make a Gantt chart in Excel (Free Template Included)

Social media Gantt chart example

This social media Gantt chart in Google Sheets contains a list of tasks and 3 milestones: 

• Raise brand awareness,
• Increase new product visibility, and
• Collaborate with an influencer. 

Same as in the previous example, this chart shows you the duration of each task, as well as the start and end dates. 

However, it’s more complex and also includes the completed days and the remaining days for each task to help you track the progress of all your tasks. 

For this example, we used a Google Sheets template which you can find in this article:

• Gantt Chart in Google Sheets: How to Create it + Free Templates

Why make it hard when you can make it simple? With Plaky, an interactive Gantt chart is only 3 clicks away.

Gantt chart example for a construction project

Construction projects are always marked with strict deadlines and strict project schedules. So, if you want to prevent missing deadlines , you need a well-organized project timeline. 

This construction project Gantt chart example created in Plaky includes: 

• Tasks divided into 4 groups: Documentation, Design, Procurement, and Construction,
• Task timelines,
• Budget, and more. 

You can use Plaky’s construction schedule template to create a Gantt chart just like this one in a matter of minutes. The template is in the default Table view, but with just a few clicks, you can turn it into a Gantt chart.

Event planning Gantt chart example

An event planning Gantt chart helps you plan all the details of an event. It consists of tasks divided into 4 groups: preparation, promotion, event tasks, and post-event tasks. 

All these tasks contain information such as:

• Assignee, 
• Team, 
• Timeline, 
• Cost, 
• Status, etc. 

The tasks in the chart are colored by group to make it easier to see where they belong. 

With Plaky’s event planning template , you can create a Gantt chart just like this one and save precious time. 

If you’re looking for more event planning templates, check out our article:

• 11 Event Planning Templates: Free, Customizable, and Easy to Use  

Business plan Gantt chart example

Having a business plan is essential to creating a successful business. Before you even start with the development of your product or service, you must have a detailed and realistic plan. 

This business plan Gantt chart example includes all the essential items needed to create a high-quality business plan, such as:

• Business strategy, 
• Product ideas, 
• Resource allocation , 
• Budget plans, 
• Product development,
• Market research, and more. 

The tasks are colored depending on their status – done tasks are green, tasks in progress are yellow, and those yet to be done are red. However, colors for statuses in Plaky are customizable, so you can choose whichever looks best to you.

Software engineering Gantt chart example

At the start of every software engineering project, you should create a software development plan . This software engineering Gantt chart visually represents this plan and enables you to track all engineering tasks.

The tasks in this example are divided into 3 stages:

• Implementation + testing, and 
• Deployment + maintenance. 

The task bars are colored according to task status – done, to do, in progress, and stuck – so you can see right away if the tasks are on track. 

This example was created from scratch, but Plaky offers various software development templates such as product roadmap, bug tracking, product launch, etc. 

Create an easy project timeline in no time at all! Automate your software engineering schedule management with Plaky.

Employee onboarding Gantt chart example

The employee onboarding Gantt chart example presents the timeline of a new employee’s first month at the company.

In this Google Slides Gantt chart example, the timeline is divided into sections representing days of the month. 

The tasks are represented on the timeline using arrows. You can click on the arrows and move the tasks across the timeline, as well as shorten or extend the length of a task. 

You can find the template I used to create this example in the following article:

• 11 Free Project Timeline Templates in 2024

What are the 5 parts of a Gantt chart?

A Gantt chart usually consists of 5 basic parts: 

• Timeline (on the horizontal axis), 
• Task list (on the vertical axis), 
• Task start and end date, 
• Project milestones , and
• Task dependencies . 

However, not all Gantt charts have to be the same. 

For simpler projects, you might not need to include milestones and dependencies. For more complex projects, on the other hand, you might want to include task progress or subtasks. 

How can I create a Gantt chart?

You can create a Gantt chart by following these 6 steps:

• Choose where you want to create a Gantt chart – Excel, Google Sheets, PowerPoint, or project management software,
• Enter the tasks into the chart,
• Enter task timeline information (start date, end date, duration),
• Add any additional information about tasks (e.g. assignee, status, team, etc.)
• Add milestones, and
• Add dependencies.

Keep in mind that creating Gantt charts in Excel, Google Slides, or PowerPoint can be time-consuming and complicated. 

On the other hand, if you’re using a project management tool, all you have to do is enter the tasks and their timelines, and after a few clicks, you have a complete Gantt chart. 

Using a project management tool can make your job much easier. If you are not sure which one to choose, you can find the list of best Gantt chart software in our article:

• 12 Best Gantt Chart Software in 2024 Tested & Reviewed  

Why is a Gantt chart important?

A Gantt chart is one of the most popular tools for project managers. 

We had the opportunity to talk to Cristiano Bellucci , Technology and Innovation Strategy Lead at Fujitsu, and he listed some of the main reasons why using Gantt charts for project management is important:

• “[A Gantt chart] gives the opportunity to every stakeholder to understand the plan for the future,
• It shows the dependencies among tasks,
• It highlights the responsible people or team, and
• It defines major and minor milestones that help keep track of the advancement of the project and its overall health.”

Another person to share their view on the importance of Gantt charts is the founder and CEO of HackerNoon, David Smooke . He explained how Gantt charts help him in his work: 

“ A Gantt chart is like a rhetorical roadmap. While a roadmap claims to be where you’re going, a Gantt chart actually shows us where we’ve been — and how much input it took for us to get there. A Gantt chart helped me realize I was consistently underestimating how long projects take to complete.

A Gantt chart provides a bar graph friendly granular view of the project’s life cycle. It shows the dependencies between tasks, which is critical when updating or scaling a system like the HackerNoon CMS that serves millions of people per month. ”

Create scalable Gantt charts in Plaky

Although a Gantt chart can be created in Excel and PowerPoint, it is much more functional and time-efficient to create it using project management software like Plaky. 

The main advantage of using Plaky’s Gantt chart instead of a spreadsheet is that it’s scalable, meaning it can grow with your project. You can add or remove tasks during your project any time you want without messing up the chart or having to readjust it manually.

Plaky is also highly customizable. At any point during the project, you can:

• Add new task fields (e.g. tags, status, assignee, etc.),
• Filter tasks (e.g. to see only tasks that are in progress or stuck)
• Change the criteria for grouping tasks (e.g. assignee, status, priority, etc.)
• Change the timeline to show days, weeks, months, quarters, or years. 

But Plaky’s Gantt chart is more than just a visual representation tool. You can also click on any task in the chart and it will open a task card with all the information connected to it, including comments and files. This way, you get a comprehensive overview of your entire project. 

Plaky has a free forever plan, as well 2 paid plans:

• Pro Plan – $3.99 per user seat per month (billed annually), and 
• Enterprise Plan –  $8.99 per user seat per month (billed annually).

Moreover, for $12.99 you can get the CAKE.com Productivity Bundle , which includes the enterprise plans of the 3 CAKE products:

• Plaky — a project management tool, 
• Clockify — time-tracking software, and 
• Pumble — a business communication app.

If you want to create scalable and customizable Gantt charts quickly and without any unnecessary steps, get started with Plaky for free today .

Galina is a project management author and researcher at Plaky. She combines her interest in team collaboration and her natural knack for organization into writing informative and engaging texts to help people better understand project management. When she is not working, she can be found relaxing with a cup of coffee and a TV series or trying out new recipes from Asian cuisine.

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Gantt Chart Templates for Business Planning

Are you looking for ways to streamline your business planning process? Look no further! Gantt charts are a great tool that can help you break down complex projects into manageable tasks and stay organized while pursuing long-term goals. With the right template, your organization will have more clarity toward achieving its objectives – plus, it can make collaboration across teams easier too. So if you're ready to get started on mapping out every step of success ahead, be sure to check out our suggested list of Gantt chart templates for businesses.

Business Account Planning Gantt Chart Template

This ClickUp Business Account Planning Gantt Chart Template allows you to track projects and set up tasks with specific deadlines. It's also useful for assigning resources and tracking progress over time. You'll be able to easily identify any potential bottlenecks or delays in the project timeline, so that corrective action can be taken if needed. Plus, the simple design makes it easy to customize for any organization's needs.

Try Template

Business roadmap gantt chart template.

This ClickUp Business Roadmap Gantt Chart Template is perfect for long-term planning, as it allows you to map out a timeline of goals and objectives. You'll be able to assign tasks or milestones to individual team members, track dependencies between different parts of the project, and even compare upcoming timelines with past successes. The simple drag-and-drop design lets you quickly rearrange any element on the chart, and you can also create sub-tasks for greater clarity.

Strategic Business Roadmap Gantt Chart Template

This Strategic Business Roadmap Gantt Chart Template by ClickUp is a great way to keep track of larger objectives in the organization. It allows you to break down complex tasks into smaller chunks and assign them to specific team members, as well as set deadlines for each task. You can also compare results against past performance, which can help you identify areas of improvement or growth opportunities for the future. And with its intuitive design, it's easy to customize this template for any organization’s needs.

Business Project Implementation Plan Gantt Chart Template

Use this Business Project Implementation Plan Gantt Chart Template by ClickUp to track and manage any project with ease. This template allows you to assign tasks, set deadlines and view dependencies between individual steps in the timeline. Plus, it enables you to evaluate progress over time and make sure that everyone is on the same page. You can also easily customize this template for any of your organization's needs – from tracking small tasks to larger objectives.

Business Gantt Chart Timeline Template

This ClickUp Business Gantt Chart Timeline Template is a great way to organize, track and analyze progress for any business or project. You can easily set up tasks with deadlines, assign resources and track progress over time. It also enables you to compare upcoming timelines with past successes – giving you greater clarity into the project's overall performance. Plus, it's easy-to-use design allows you to customize this template for any of your organization's needs.

Related Templates

• Simple Gantt Chart Template
• Gantt Timeline Template
• Business Development Template
• Business Plan Template
• Business Continuity Plan

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How to make a gantt chart 7 easy steps walkthrough + examples.

Updated on June 1, 2024 by Luke Henderson

Published on May 27, 2024 by Luke Henderson

If you’re still fiddling around with the question, “How to make a Gantt chart?” You have come to the right place.

A Gantt chart in project management is vital today for various reasons:

• Simplify complex projects into an easy-to-digest plan
• Monitor the project’s timeline at one glance
• Track task status, milestones, project deadlines, etc., as the project moves toward completion
• Identify and address delays with optimal resource management
• Make real-time edits and keep everyone informed

In this advanced guide, we’ll learn everything you need to know about Gantt charts—from tips on how to create the best Gantt charts to how you can use Nifty, an all-in-one project management tool, to create winning Gantt charts on the fly.

Additionally, you can find free Gantt chart templates for PowerPoint, Google Sheets , Excel, and Word. These templates will allow you to create visual project timelines, track project progress, and collaborate with team members online.

But What is a Gantt Chart?

A Gantt chart is a project management tool that helps you visualize the entire project timeline and schedule to ensure everyone’s on the same page. With the aid of visual data, you can plan and manage your projects better.

A Gantt chart has two primary axes:

• Determine when tasks are scheduled to start and end
• Identify overlapping and sequential tasks
• Vertical Axis (Y-Axis) represents tasks/activities : This axis lists the activities and milestones due for the project. Each task is represented as a separate horizontal bar. The length of each bar corresponds to the duration of the task, and its position on the chart indicates the start and end dates. Examining the vertical axis allows you to see the project’s structure and the sequence in which tasks should be performed.

How to Create a Gantt Chart to Manage Projects?

We’ve established how Gantt charts let you represent a project over time. Given its simplicity, you can use an Excel sheet or even Google Sheets to make a Gantt chart.

An Excel Gantt chart template can be a useful tool for creating Gantt charts quickly and efficiently. However, there’s no competition when it comes to using a Gantt chart within an all-in-one project management tool like Nifty.

Let’s now walk you through how you can create a Gantt chart in Nifty—it’s simpler than you’d think:

Step 1: Collaborate with everyone involved—from your team to your stakeholders—with a streamlined Gantt chart

Ask any project manager and they’ll say that project success is dependent on how well and how often the team communicates. If your project’s updates are unavailable at the team’s fingertips, important information can slip through the cracks.

Using online Gantt chart software can provide real-time updates and improve collaboration among team members, ensuring everyone is on the same page.

So, don’t let disjointed tools and scattered emails prevent your team from understanding what’s happening where. Use, a Gantt chart instead to keep your project team members in check and your stakeholders informed.

Nifty consolidates your tasks into Gantt-style project Milestones , which automates your project’s progress. Within Nifty, Gantt charts are known as Roadmaps.

Here’s an example of a Gantt chart for a Personal To-Dos project:

The Roadmap you see above doubles up as a visual project guide and helps you manage your projects successfully. It automates your milestone progress as you complete tasks along the way.

What makes Nifty’s Gantt charts collaborative is the Discussions feature , which allows you to tag team members and drive real-time conversations. You can also share important files and discuss issues/updates related to tasks.

This is so, you can hold your team members accountable for pending work and assign immediate tasks, all in one place.

That’s not all. You’ll be able to add a task within the chat as soon as you hit the send (arrow) button and capture all relevant details in a jiffy:

And if you need to make this information widely available, you can even share your chat via email:

If you’re worried about keeping your stakeholders in the loop, Nifty’s Gantt charts come with an in-built share functionality, allowing you to share the chart as a PDF, CSV, or a public link:

All in all, Nifty offers intuitive project management features with built-in collaboration tools like chat.

Step 2: Monitor available resources and manage team workloads without breaking a sweat

If you are looking for a dynamic Gantt chart that requires little effort to create, Nifty is for you.

Nifty’s Gantt chart offers a Roadmap view of your project’s milestones and goals automatically—you don’t need to do anything. With one glance, you can manage your team member’s workload effectively. You get to see the project schedule in real-time and adjust your resources accordingly.

Here’s an example of a milestone within a Gantt chart where you can assign the milestone to specific team members within the project. Simply search for the team member you want to assign the milestone to:

Managing your team’s workload is beneficial for obvious reasons: Your project gets completed on time without overburdening the team.

Step 3: Figure out how much time and effort your project actually needs.

Managing your project resources is not enough. You also need to estimate the effort and time needed for your project to be completed within budget and deadline.

Nifty’s Gantt charts also allow you to estimate the project’s duration accurately, including when it should start and end. The Roadmap feature allows you to scope the project’s estimated timeline with great ease in a calendar format:

You can also go granular and estimate the project effort in terms of budget, currency, etc.:

The more in-depth you go, the better you’ll be able to define your project’s parameters and get the team working on the same page.

Step 4: Keep a close eye on project progress, especially against timelines and estimates.

You’ve done the work, defined the timelines, assigned the tasks, and the works. The next and most important step is to track your project progress—a signature of Gantt charts.

Using Gantt chart online tools allows for real- time tracking and progress updates, making it easier to plan, schedule, and collaborate with your team.

Nifty provides a 360-degree view of the open and completed tasks to help you map them against the project’s deadline and track progress:

With a crystal-clear view of how much work is complete, you can inform your stakeholders, customers, and the team at large and drive project visibility.

Build your next Gantt chart in Nifty. Get Started Free

How Do Different Teams Use the Gantt Chart?

Departments and teams across the board use Gantt charts—from project managers and team leaders to executives and business owners.

Here are some Gantt chart examples   to see this visual project management tool in action for different teams:

1. Marketing Team

Gantt charts are a game-changer for marketing teams. 

Here’s how: They give you a clear, visual snapshot of your campaigns. With a better understanding of the intricacies, you can plan out every detail, from content campaigns to social media launches:

Irrespective of the project you’re involved in, you can break down the marketing activities into basic stages such as planning, content, design, development, launch, and maintenance.

Using Gantt charts, you can:

• Easily set deadlines
• Assign tasks to team members
• See how everything fits together
• Track progress in real-time and keep everything on schedule
• Make sure resources are used wisely

This way, your team stays coordinated, and your marketing efforts run without tension or friction.

Use Nifty to manage your marketing project. Get Started

2. Construction

Construction managers can also leverage Gantt charts to plan and manage the phases and tasks of a construction project, including initiation, pre-construction, procurement, and post-construction.

To start with, they can break the project down into simpler and smaller tasks. Each task can be allocated resources optimally along with realistic timelines:

More importantly, construction managers can assign important tasks as strategic milestones. Common examples you can take inspiration from include getting contract sign-offs, conducting inspections, and so on.

3. Human Resources

Let’s say you have a huge recruitment drive coming up with multiple stages, from sourcing to onboarding. Here’s how a Gantt chart can make your life easier. Use it to:

• Map out each step of your recruitment drive
• Assign responsibilities according to each step within your recruitment process
• Set timelines based on the recruitment stage you’re in

This visual representation helps you see the entire recruitment process at a glance, and ensure everything stays on track:

You can also communicate the plan to key stakeholders and keep everyone aligned. In short, use a Gantt chart to guide you through the complexities of HR projects with beautiful, functional, and data-driven charts.

4. Software Development

Software teams are often seen embracing a hybrid style of working.

To complement this software development methodology, Gantt charts can be used.

You can organize your tasks into groups based on sprints. And you can track these sprints by monitoring them against set milestones.

Software development teams can use Gantt charts for agile project planning, as shown below:

Whether you want to organize tasks within sprints, identify task dependencies, assign team members, or monitor progress, a Gantt chart delivers on all accounts.

Integrating your Gantt chart with your organization’s agile practices allows your team to be flexible while ensuring results-driven project management.

Tips and Best Practices To Follow While Making a Gantt Chart

Building a Gantt chart requires some basic knowledge of project management. 

Let’s now explore a few expert-backed tips and best practices on how to make a Gantt chart:

Tip #1. What are your project goals? Define them

The first task is to chart out a comprehensive project plan to understand your project goals. You can’t create a Gantt chart if you don’t know your project’s end goals.

Here are a few data points you must include when writing your project plan:

• What are the most important deliverables and milestones for the project?
• What is the deadline for the deliverables? Are there any dependencies we need to be aware of?
• Do you have the required resources, tools, etc., to manage the milestones efficiently?
• Which departments and teams will form your ultimate project team? What role will they play in getting the project to the finish line?
• Will you need to involve stakeholders for approvals? Who will they be, and how will you keep them in the know?
• How will you assess the team’s ability to meet the milestones?

Defining short-term vs long-term goals is crucial for complex projects like a construction project, where phases and tasks need to be clearly outlined.

Once you have the answers to these questions, write a comprehensive project plan and get the team together to kickstart the project planning process. You can do it manually or get assistance using project planning software .

Tip #2. Create a thorough list of your activities

Your Gantt chart is a simplified version of the important tasks and activities within your project, such as:

• Breakdown of the project into tasks
• Start and end dates for each task
• Duration of each task
• Team members responsible for each task
• Interdependencies and relationships between tasks
• Timing of key meetings, approvals, and deadlines
• Current status of task progress
• Comprehensive project timeline—from initiation to completion

Compared to other project management charts like PERT charts and Kanban boards, Gantt charts offer a unique visual representation of the project schedule, making it easier to track progress and manage timelines.

Your activities should highlight every element required to complete the project as per your stakeholders and customer’s expectations.

Tip #3. Schedule your tasks

You’ve mapped the key activities and gathered the basic project details; now, it’s time to schedule your project tasks against a timeline.

Nifty’s task-scheduling feature is the stuff of legends. Its drag-and-drop functionality makes it extremely easy to extend or shorten your task’s duration:

Here are a few handy tips to remember when creating your tasks:

• When creating your tasks, spell it out as definitively as possible
• Organize tasks into phases to make the project plan easier to understand
• Add important documents, notes, and files to the task so that the team is always aware of the task’s intent
• Label tasks according to which team, department, or client is responsible for it
• Add the right start and end dates for the task but ask the team first to get a sense of the team’s availability
• Don’t forget about holidays, time offs, etc., when scheduling the task
• Ask the team’s feedback to see if everything is working well or not

Tip #4. Set critical milestones

Adding milestones to your Gantt chart allows you to effortlessly manage time-sensitive deadlines, approvals, meetings, and key deliverables.

Given how important they are, Nifty makes this process easy. Simply click on the “Add a Milestone” button to get going, as shown below:

The best part? You can add as many Milestones as needed and break the project into a list of smaller, more manageable tasks.

To create milestones effectively, use these tips to your advantage:

• Identify the right milestones, and group them properly: As an example, consider a project manager who is part of the software development team working on a website launch. In this case, the milestones list will read as getting end client approvals, working on user feedback of the first prototype, and so on. When grouping the milestones, trust your intuition and group them logically
• Simplify the project by going granular:  Break your project into granular subtasks to motivate the team without making them feel overwhelmed by the sheer workload. The better you define the tasks and the more granular you go, the easier it will be for you to get work done quickly and more productively
• Set realistic dates: Assign realistic dates for each milestone. You can leverage the Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound (S.M.A.R.T) framework to set practical deadlines
• Use descriptive names: Give each milestone a clear, descriptive name that clearly elucidates its purpose

Set milestones and track them using Nifty. Get Started Free .

Tip #5. Add dependencies to strategic tasks

With your milestones and tasks properly scheduled , it’s time to set your task dependencies.

Dependencies are nothing but the order in which your tasks must be completed. As you can imagine, this helps you manage the project timelines effectively.

A robust Gantt chart allows you to set dependencies for your task so that your project flows smoothly. 

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when adding the dependencies:

• Identify critical path tasks: Focus on tasks, or the critical path, that directly impact the project timeline
• Consider lag and lead time : Lag time is a delay between dependent tasks. On the other hand, lead time allows overlap. As a thumb rule, you must adjust these to reflect your project’s real-world conditions. For example, if Task B can start two days after Task A begins, you must add a lead time
• Communicate clearly with your team : Ensure all team members understand the dependencies—and their impact on the overall project plan
• Leverage a strategic project management tool: Use features in your project management software to easily set and adjust dependencies. Tools like Nifty allow you to visualize dependencies and see the relationships between tasks at first glance

Tip #6. Assign roles and responsibilities to the right people 

A project is incomplete without the right people planning and managing it. Here’s how to ensure you’ve got the best team in place:

• Assign tasks based on expertise: Match tasks with team members who have the right skills and expertise. For example, you can assign complex coding tasks to developers with a proven track record in similar projects
• Keep the team involved: Make sure everyone knows their responsibilities and what’s expected of them. Make sure to roll out detailed job descriptions and task outlines to avoid confusion and chaos
• Use a workload management tool: Assign tasks based on individual strengths and workloads to keep the project balanced. This is where using a workload management tool pays off as it allows you to distribute tasks evenly and prevent burnout
• Clearly explain the goals to each team member : Our suggestion would be to conduct a project kickoff meeting to discuss project objectives. Invite everyone involved from top to bottom so that everyone can get to know each other from the get-go
• Offer one-click resources:  A tried-and-tested strategy for assigning team members the right roles is simply asking them. To help them get a better sense of their responsibility, improve your training programs, integrate mentorship sessions at strategic intervals, and help them work faster with an easy-to-use project management tool
• Check in regularly to see how your tasks are shaping up : Use an all-in-one productivity-driven project management software like Nifty to track progress and identify potential roadblocks early on in the project management process

Tip #7. Keep going back to your dynamic Gantt chart

Keeping your Gantt chart up-to-date enables project managers to stay on top of their project’s evolving demands. In other words, don’t set it and forget it!

Here’s how you can keep your Gantt chart updated and relevant:

• Drive regular check-ins : Schedule weekly or bi-weekly reviews of your Gantt chart. During these check-ins, assess the progress of each task and identify delays to ensure the entire project stays on track
• Adjust timelines : If a task is falling behind, update its timeline and adjust subsequent tasks accordingly. Similarly, if a task is completed ahead of schedule, you can bring forward dependent tasks
• Update the task status : Use clear indicators to mark tasks as completed, in progress, or delayed. This visual representation helps everyone on the team quickly grasp the current state of the project
• Communicate changes : When you make updates, communicate these changes to your team immediately. Use team meetings and emails to ensure everyone is aware of the new timelines and/or expectations
• Use a real-time tool : Invest in a project management software solution that supports real-time updates. Tools like Nifty allow team members to see changes as they happen, foster better collaboration, and drive better response times
• Incorporate feedback : After each milestone and task gets completed, gather feedback from the horse’s mouth—your team. Use this feedback to pivot your Gantt chart strategy and improve the way you work for future projects
• Monitor critical path : Pay extra attention to tasks on the critical path, as delays here will directly impact your project’s completion date

Create a Gantt Chart with ease using Nifty. Get Started Free

Gantt Chart Templates for Project Management 

Now let’s look at the basic components of a  Gantt chart template for managing projects:

• Timeline : Shows the project duration in manageable segments such as days, weeks, months, or year
• Tasks : Lists project activities and phases vertically
• Bars : Represents each task’s start and end dates on the timeline;  visualize task durations and overlaps
• Dependencies : Shows the order in which tasks must be completed
• Milestones : Marks significant project achievements and deadlines
• Visualization : Helps plan, schedule, and monitor project progress easily

So, keeping these touchpoints in mind, you should use a Gantt chart if:

• Your project has a fixed end date
• You need to involve multiple people and teams that need to sync efforts
• You need to arm your stakeholders with a clear project timeline
• You need to tackle complex projects with tasks that have specific dependencies and sequences
• Team members are juggling multiple projects and need to be constantly managed
• You have a general idea of how long each task will take

When to Avoid Using Gantt Charts?

Just like there are certain scenarios where you must use Gantt charts, there are also instances where you shouldn’t use one, such as:

When you’re just starting out planning the project

Using a Gantt chart right at the start isn’t ideal.

Before you can create an effective Gantt chart, you need a clear understanding of the major tasks, their durations, and their sequence.

If you start with a Gantt chart too early, you risk missing crucial steps and having to redo the chart once those gaps are identified.

When you want to manage resources

Gantt charts excel at displaying timelines but fall short in detailing resource allocation.

They don’t show the nuances of resource requirements like team members, equipment, or budget.

At its core, while Gantt charts are great for scheduling, you should use additional tools to manage resources effectively.

When you are planning to create a Gantt chart manually

Make no mistake, manually creating Gantt charts in Excel or similar programs is labor-intensive and inflexible. 

If a task duration changes or a step is added, updating the chart can become a real pain.

Instead, invest in project management software with Gantt chart features like Nifty, which allows for automatic adjustments, saves you valuable time, and reduces errors.

Top 3 Gantt Chart Software

Here are the top 3 Gantt chart software.

Nifty offers a robust Gantt chart software solution that stands out for its simplicity and efficiency. This software provides an intuitive interface that makes it easy to create and manage project timelines. Key features of Nifty include:

• Automatic Updates: Automatically update progress as tasks are completed, saving you the hassle of manual updates.
• Task Dependencies: Supports task dependencies and milestones.
• Multiple Views: Offers multiple project views to cater to different management styles.
• Integration: Integrates with various collaboration tools , ensuring teams can stay in sync.

Nifty’s Gantt chart software is not just about visualizing tasks; it also offers a comprehensive way to manage project deadlines and deliverables in real-time.

2. Smartsheet

Smartsheet is renowned for its powerful Gantt chart capabilities, combining the simplicity of a spreadsheet with robust project management features. Highlights of Smartsheet include:

• Customization: Highly customizable Gantt charts that can be tailored to specific needs.
• Complex Scheduling: Supports complex project schedules with task dependencies and critical path visualization.
• Real-Time Collaboration: Offers real-time collaboration features.
• Integration: Extensive integration capabilities with popular tools like Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and Slack.
• Analytics: Provides valuable insights into project performance through reporting and analytics tools.

Smartsheet’s Gantt chart software is an excellent choice for teams that require a flexible and interoperable project management solution.

ClickUp is an online Gantt chart software that is both user-friendly and highly functional. This software caters to a wide range of project management needs, from simple task tracking to complex project scheduling. Key aspects of ClickUp include:

• Visualization: Allows users to visualize project timelines and set task dependencies.
• Resource Management: Effectively manages resources across multiple projects.
• Comprehensive Overview: Handles multiple projects within a single view, providing a comprehensive overview of all tasks and deadlines.
• Real-Time Collaboration: Supports real-time collaboration, ensuring instant updates and communication.
• Integration: Integrates with numerous third-party applications, enhancing its versatility.

ClickUp’s Gantt chart software is a top choice for teams seeking a cohesive and comprehensive project management solution.

Represent Projects Visually with Easy-to-Use Gantt Charts from Nifty 

There you go. You no longer need to get intimidated by complex-looking Gantt charts anymore.

Nifty helps you create simple Gantt charts representing your project’s timeline, status, and who is responsible for what. Next time, don’t let a horizontal bar chart give you the jitters. Use Nifty to capture all-important project details in a digestible, easy-to-understand manner.

Sign up for free to get started with your Gantt chart!

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How to Create a Simple Gantt Chart in Excel: The Best Free Template

Create an easy Excel gantt chart with our free template

Our easy premade Excel gantt chart template can save you tons of time by organizing your project plan and tackling the tedious scheduling work for you! Use this Excel gantt chart to simplify complex projects into an easy-to-follow plan and track the status of tasks as work progresses. This free template is also useful for keeping track of project deadlines, milestones, and hours worked. Learn more about gantt charts . Before you get started, check out this quick Excel vs. TeamGantt comparison to see how you can save time and effort managing gantt charts in TeamGantt.

How to use our free gantt chart Excel template

We made this Excel gantt chart template easy, powerful, and painless to use for projects of any kind—from construction projects to website redesigns and beyond. It’s great for scheduling simple projects that don’t require real-time collaboration.

TeamGantt’s free Excel gantt chart template enables you to:

• Customize the gantt chart to fit your project needs
• Set up new tasks
• Assign task dates and team members
• Automate task durations and timeframes
• Track task progress

You can customize our Excel template to view and manage projects over any time period, whether it’s weekly, monthly, or quarterly. Simply plug in your tasks, dates, and resources, and you'll have a presentation-quality Excel gantt chart. Be sure to update the percent complete as work progresses to stay on top of project tracking. Want to learn how? First, download the Excel gantt chart template , then watch our Excel gantt chart template tutorial on YouTube below.

Additional Excel project management templates

If you want to spend less time building spreadsheets, check out some of our other Excel project management templates. Here are a few you can download for free:

• Excel timeline template
• Project schedule Excel template
• Excel to-do list template and task tracker
• Work breakdown structure (WBS) template in Excel ‍

How to make a simple gantt chart in Excel

Want to learn how to build an Excel gantt chart from scratch? This step-by-step tutorial guides you through how to do an Excel gantt chart that maps out dates on your project timeline.

Note: We performed the following steps in Microsoft Excel 365 for Mac, but the basic workflow should be the same on a PC or in any version of Excel with minor changes.

• Add basic task details to the Excel worksheet
• Apply a formula to calculate task duration
• Insert a stacked bar chart
• Set up your Excel gantt chart data
• Add the project title to your chart
• Change the chart’s date range
• Format the horizontal axis as dates
• Set your Excel gantt chart at weekly intervals
• Reorder tasks and move the date axis to the top
• Format your stacked bar chart to look like a gantt chart
• Change taskbar colors for a customized look

1. Add tasks and dates to the Excel worksheet for your gantt chart.

Create columns for Task Name , Start Date , End Date , and Duration , and fill those cells with the basic details for your project tasks.

Format these columns as follows:

• Task Name = Text format
• Start Date and End Date = Date format
• Duration = Number format

Want to organize your Excel gantt chart into phases with subtasks? Add a row before the first task in each project phase, and enter the following dates for each task group:

• Start Date  = Start Date of your first task or milestone in the group or phase
• End Date = End Date for the last task or milestone in the group or phase

2. Apply an automatic formula to calculate task duration

Use a simple formula to subtract the start date from the end date. That way your Excel worksheet will automatically calculate the length of each task in your gantt chart. For instance, we entered =C2-B2 into the Duration field for our first task.

Tip: If you started in different cells in your worksheet, be sure to adjust this formula accordingly.

Place your mouse on the right corner of D2 until you see a black + sign and double-click or drag your mouse down to paste the formula in the remaining cells in column D.

3. Insert a Stacked Bar Chart from the Insert menu

Click the Insert tab, and select the bar chart icon. Choose Stacked Bar from the 2-D Bar section to add a chart to your Excel worksheet. This chart type most closely resembles a gantt chart.

4. Set up your Excel gantt chart data

You should see a blank chart in your Excel worksheet now. Right-click the chart, and choose Select Data .

Click the plus sign (+) under the Legend entries section to add the first data set. Name it "Start Date." Then click on the Y values field, and select the data in the Start Date column.

Repeat this process to add a second entry called “Duration,” making sure to select the data in the Duration column for the Y values . Click the Horizontal Axis Labels field, and select the entire Task Name column.

Tip: Make sure the Show data in hidden rows and columns checkbox is ticked so your Excel gantt chart will still work if you decide to hide any of the columns or rows in the worksheet.

5. Add the project title to your chart

Double-click the Chart Title textbox to select the full title. Enter the name of your project to replace the generic placeholder text.

6. Change the chart date range to your project start and end dates

Copy the Start Date for the first task in your project into a blank cell below your task list, and format that cell as a number rather than a date. Repeat this process for the End Date for the last task in your project.

Tip: Excel stores dates as numbers. In our gantt chart example , Excel converts the Start Date for our first task from 9/1/22 to 44805.00, while the End Date for our last task becomes 44865.00 instead of 10/31/22.

Now select the horizontal axis of your gantt chart, right-click, and choose Format Axis . Under Bounds , there are fields for Minimum and Maximum . These are the first and last “dates” in the chart. Change the Minimum value to the number you got when you converted the first task date into a number and the Maximum value to the number for your last task date.

Hit Enter to remove the extra time from the beginning of your chart.

7. Format the horizontal axis as dates

If the labels on the horizontal axis of your gantt chart show numbers instead of dates, click the Number section of the Format Axis window to expand it. Change the category from Number to Date . Now the horizontal axis will show readable dates.

8. Set your Excel gantt chart at weekly intervals

Under Units in the Axis Options section, you’ll find Major and Minor fields. These determine the timeline intervals for your Excel gantt chart. Enter 7.0 into the Major field to set the project timeline in your Excel gantt chart at weekly intervals.

Tip: Want a monthly gantt chart? Set the Major field at 30.0 for monthly intervals.

9. Reorder tasks, and move the date axis to the top of your gantt chart

Select the vertical axis, right-click, and choose Format Axis .

Tick the Categories in reverse order checkbox.

This also moves the date axis to the top of the chart where it’s a little more useful.

10. Format your stacked bar chart to look like a gantt chart

Click on the first portion of a taskbar with 2 colors to select all of the bars in your first data series. In the Excel chart below, our first data series is represented by the blue taskbars.

Then click the Paint Bucket tab, and expand the Fill section. Select No fill to remove the blue bars that precede your task start dates.

11. Change taskbar colors for a customized look

Click on a single bar twice. Don’t double-click it—click it once to highlight all the bars in that color, then click it again to highlight a single bar. Click the Paint Bucket icon, and choose the color you want from the color fill options.

Tip: Differentiate project phases from subtasks by giving phase taskbars a neutral color, such as gray.

Tip: Color milestones yellow or gold in your gantt chart so they stand out easily from other tasks.

Repeat this process for the rest of the bars in your newly made gantt chart to change their colors.

Congratulations! You’ve created your very own weekly gantt chart in Excel. That was probably a few more steps than you bargained for. Especially if you have to do that every time you need to create a gantt chart for a new project. That’s where TeamGantt comes in.

Build a gantt chart in minutes with TeamGantt

A better, faster, and more collaborative way to create, update, and track gantt charts.

Gantt charts that are simple, beautiful, and super-easy to manage and update is exactly what TeamGantt was designed from the ground up to do.

Comparison: TeamGantt vs Excel gantt chart

Forget having to keep track of multiple Excel gantt chart files for each project and wasting time making sure all your charts are presentation-ready. TeamGantt makes it easy—and dare we say FUN—to create and manage your projects with shareable online gantt charts. Here’s a quick peek at how you can save time and headaches making gantt charts and managing projects with TeamGantt compared to Excel:

The best collaborative gantt chart template

No need to build your plan from scratch with TeamGantt’s collaborative gantt chart template! We’ve plugged in some basic project elements for you. Feel free to duplicate task groups to speed up your gantt chart setup. ‍ Try our basic project gantt chart template! Or browse our full library of free collaborative gantt chart templates .

How to create a gantt chart in TeamGantt

Ready to get started? Follow these easy steps to set up your first project in TeamGantt.

1. Go to teamgantt.com/signup to sign up for your free account to get started.

2. Once you log in, go to My Projects in the sidebar, and click + New Project , then Create New Project .

3. Give your project a name, and choose a project template to get you started if you want. Choose your default project view and the days of the week you want to be able to schedule work in your project. Then click Create New Project .

4. Your project is created, and you’re ready to start adding your tasks!

5. Once you’ve added your tasks to the task list, just click and drag each taskbar to set the dates and duration.

6. If you have tasks that can’t begin until another task is complete, you can add a dependency to your gantt chart to make sure those tasks are always done in the proper order. Simply click the gray dot to the right of the first task, and drag the dependency to the dependent task.

You’re all done! Congratulations on creating your first project in TeamGantt!

How to save a TeamGantt project as a gantt chart template

In TeamGantt, you can create unlimited gantt chart templates from the projects you build. Here are 2 easy ways to save a project as a template from Gantt view:

• Option 1 : Click Menu > Save as Template .
• Option 2 : Go to Menu > Project Settings , and click the Mark as Template toggle on.

Your gantt chart template evolves with your root project so it stays up-to-date.

How to apply a gantt chart template to any TeamGantt project

Using a template to create a new project is as easy as clicking the Template dropdown on the project creation screen and choosing the one you want to use from the template library. No more starting from a blank screen!

Any gantt chart templates you save will be listed under the My Templates section. Once your gantt chart template loads, simply update the tasks and invite your team.

Get started with TeamGantt today

You can create a beautiful project plan in just minutes with TeamGantt. And because everything happens online, it's easy to track project progress and collaborate with your team in real time.

Sign up for your free account today!

Excel Gantt Chart FAQs

Is there a gantt chart template in excel.

Unfortunately, Excel doesn’t come with a built-in gantt chart template. You’ll need to create a gantt chart manually in Excel, then save it as a template for future project use.

How do I create a gantt chart template in Excel?

You can save any Excel file you make as a template. Simply follow these steps to build a gantt chart of your own in Excel . Then click File > Save as template to create an Excel gantt chart template you can use again and again to schedule project timelines.

How do I format a weekly Excel gantt chart?

To format your Excel gantt chart by week, right-click on the date axis, and select Format Axis. Expand the Axis Options section, and enter 7.0 into the Major field below Units for weekly intervals.

How do I format a monthly Excel gantt chart?

To format your Excel gantt chart by month, right-click on the date axis, and select Format Axis. Expand the Axis Options section, and enter 30.0 into the Major field below Units for monthly intervals. It won’t be a perfect monthly picture since some months have more or less days, but it should provide a decent visual approximation for your Excel gantt chart.

How do I track work progress in Excel?

Start by downloading our free gantt chart Excel template , which has progress bars built-in. Then all you have to do is update progress in the Percent Complete column, and Excel will adjust the taskbar on the gantt chart to reflect the current status.

4 Gantt Chart Examples for Effective Project Management

Get the most out of your project execution with these four powerful Gantt chart examples. Save time and become more efficient with help from Motion.

Are you tired of sifting through countless spreadsheets, sticky notes, and project management tools while trying to manage your projects? Then check out our  Gantt chart examples !

A Gantt chart is a way to show project tasks on a timeline. It visually depicts each task's start and end date, how long it'll take, and when it's due.

Gantt charts are valuable to a variety of industries, from construction to agency management. They also help consultants map out their work schedules, while businesses use them to manage the creation of project proposals and business plans.

If you're not using a Gantt chart yet, maybe it's time to consider one.

In this post, we'll provide Gantt chart examples for different use cases and explain how to create a Gantt chart using Excel or project management tools. We'll also explore the limitations of Excel Gantt charts and the advantages of using Motion for effective time management.

What is a Gantt chart?

A Gantt chart is a project management tool used to plan and visualize tasks over a specified timeline. It shows each task's start dates, duration, and end dates in a project schedule. A bar stretching across the timeline represents each task, showing how long it'll take. This makes it easy to track progress, as you can easily gauge whether each task is on time or overdue.

‎In addition to the basic information about tasks and timelines,  Gantt charts  show dependencies between project tasks. For instance, if one task needs to be completed before another one can begin (e.g., buying materials before construction starts), this is indicated with an arrow connecting the two tasks in the chart.

Why is a Gantt chart important?

Gantt charts are essential for project planning, as they provide a concise visual overview of the project timeline and enable you to monitor progress. Here are some advantages of using Gantt charts for project management:

1. Visually track project progress

With Gantt charts, it's easy to see how much work has been done and how much is left to do in a project. You can also easily spot tasks running behind schedule or identify potential problems before they become major issues.

2. Plan dependencies between tasks

A Gantt chart makes it easier to plan dependencies between tasks, ensuring that activities happen in the correct order according to your schedule. This ensures efficient use of resources and helps to keep the timeline on track.

3. Streamline communication

A Gantt chart is a concise way to communicate the project schedule and project updates with everyone involved, from team members to stakeholders. This clearly lays out what needs to be done and makes it easier for everyone to understand how their tasks fit into the bigger picture.

Who uses Gantt charts?

Gantt charts are used by a variety of professionals, including project managers, event planners, consultants, designers, and business owners. They're an essential tool for anyone who needs to keep track of projects or plan events on a timeline.

Whether planning a large-scale construction project or designing a marketing campaign, Gantt charts will help you stay organized and on track. And with the right project management tools or Excel template, creating a Gantt chart is easier than ever.

Gantt chart examples

To get a better understanding of Gantt charts, let's take a look at some examples. Here are four different scenarios:

Gantt charts for construction

Construction projects involve a wide range of tasks, from obtaining permits and building materials to the workforce. Gantt charts help project owners, contractors, and project managers plan different phases of a construction project. It's essential for tracking progress, resource management, and meeting deadlines. It also ensures that tasks are completed in the correct order, so there aren't any delays due to missing pieces or incorrect sequences.

‎Gantt chart example for consultants

Gantt charts are used by consultants to create timelines for their projects. It helps them plan out the different stages of a project and track progress in an organized way. Consultants can also use Gantt charts to plan their workflow and ensure that tasks are completed on time, minimizing risk and ensuring maximum efficiency. Besides that, Gantt charts can easily be shared with stakeholders so that everyone is on the same page regarding the project's progress.

‎Gantt chart example for project proposals

Gantt charts are also used by project managers and a range of other professionals to create project proposals. In this case, the Gantt chart serves as a visual representation of the timeline and goals for each stage of the project. It helps convince clients that their projects can be completed in a timely manner with minimal risk. For example, once the due dates for your project proposal are clear, you can plan backward from it to ensure you get started at the right time. This provides a clear understanding between the client and the project manager or consultant on when tasks need to be completed and how much time is allocated for each phase.

‎Gantt chart example for business plans

Business plans involve a lot of planning, and Gantt charts are essential for this purpose. You can use them to plan out the different components of your business plan, such as research and development, marketing strategy, customer acquisition, etc. With Gantt charts, you can track progress against these tasks to know precisely where you stand in achieving your goals.

‎These example Gantt charts showed that from construction projects to business plans, Gantt charts are an invaluable tool for project management. They enable you to plan out tasks accurately and keep track of progress throughout the project. Whether working on a large-scale construction project or creating a business plan from scratch, Gantt charts can help you stay organized and ensure that tasks are completed on time.

How do I create a Gantt chart?

Now that you've seen some Gantt chart examples let's look at how you can create one for your projects. Two main ways to make a Gantt chart are in Excel or in project management software.

Create a simple Gantt chart using Excel

Excel is a popular spreadsheet software from Microsoft that everyone is familiar with. Hence, the most straightforward way to create a Gantt chart is by using Excel.

To do this, you'll need to:

• Set up and format your data in an Excel spreadsheet. This should include tasks, start and end dates, duration, and the task owner.
• Then insert a bar chart into the spreadsheet and customize it with your data. You can add different colors or patterns to differentiate between tasks.
• Adjust the format to look like a Gantt chart (i.e., adding task labels and changing scales and structures).
• Your chart is ready and can be shared with stakeholders and the project team.

With Microsoft Excel, you can create a simple but effective Gantt chart to help you stay organized and on track with your project.

Excel Gantt charts are limited

However, it takes quite a bit of time to create a Gantt chart in Excel, and Excel Gantt charts are limited in features and customization options. For example, it can be clunky to depict dependencies between tasks or display these task dependencies.

Furthermore, using Excel Gantt charts for larger projects isn't recommended, as the chart size will become too large to handle. And it's tedious to keep them updated and to share them with stakeholders.

Project management software with a Gantt chart feature

You can use  project management software  with a Gantt chart feature to make your life easier. This software enables you to plan, manage and monitor the progress of your entire project with ease.

It also allows you to:

• Create detailed timelines for tasks and sub-tasks
• Add task dependencies and milestones
• Assign resources to tasks
• Add a task status
• Set up notifications for upcoming deadlines
• Track progress and deadlines in real time

These features make staying organized, on track, and in control of your projects easier. Microsoft Project, Trello, Asana, Basecamp, and Wrike are key players in this field. All these have powerful Gantt chart capabilities that'll help you create professional-looking Gantt charts quickly and easily.

For professional project management, Gantt charts are an excellent tool for scheduling projects. Whether creating them in Excel or using project management software with a Gantt chart feature, they'll help you stay organized and ensure your project progresses according to plan.

Downsides of traditional project management tools

Project management software can be a great tool for managing projects, but there are some downsides to consider.

First, they require constant manual updates and prioritization, which can drain valuable time and resources. Additionally, progress update meetings are often still necessary, making the tool feel like an added hassle rather than a helpful resource.

Using these tools can also lead to micromanagement of your team, which can be detrimental to productivity and morale. Furthermore, teams may not regularly use or update these tools, rendering them less useful. Lastly, the need for multiple organizational tools can create staff confusion and frustration.

Let's ditch the traditional tools and explore better options for seamless project management!

Why Motion does a better job

 Motion stands apart from the other project management software because it uses artificial intelligence to prioritize work and build schedules for your team. Commonly used project management platforms just store projects and tasks, so employees have to prioritize everything.

‎Motion's machine learning algorithms prioritize these tasks and projects for employees based on factors like due date, start date, priority, and scheduled meetings so that teams always know which task they should work on next. It also automatically builds team members' schedules and shifts work when priorities change. When a meeting is scheduled over a task, Motion will also automatically reschedule it.

Finally, Motion gives everyone on your team one central place to manage their time and work - their calendar. This makes it easy to form new habits or update yet another tool, as nearly everyone already uses a digital calendar.

Motion does a better job than project management tools  by providing a custom meeting booking page, automatically moving non-urgent meetings when more urgent tasks arise, and showing when project team members are over-committed or stuck in too many meetings.

Additionally, Motion applies productivity strategies such as time blocking and deep work to help teams maximize their productivity. Time blocking reserves time on the calendar for focused work, while deep work reserves chunks of time for difficult focus work. This way, teams can finish tasks faster and more efficiently.

Use Motion to super-charge your time management

Project management can often feel like a Sisyphean effort, but with Gantt charts, project management doesn't have to feel like a daunting task. Visualizing the workflow with a Gannt chart can help you create an action plan with manageable tasks and milestones. And no more endless spreadsheets and post-it notes!

And with Motion, no more endless spreadsheets and post-it notes: Motion makes organizing your calendar and tasks effortless.

Whether you're managing a group project or personal planning, let Motion help make it manageable. Motion makes organizing your calendar and tasks effortless.

So what are you waiting for?  Try Motion today  to see how our elegant and AI-driven solution can enhance productivity.

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• Agile project management
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What are Gantt charts?

An overview of Gantt charts and how they can help manage agile projects.

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Summary: A Gantt chart is a project management tool that illustrates work completed over a period of time in relation to the time planned for the work. A Gantt chart can include the start and end dates of tasks, milestones, dependencies between tasks, assignees, and more.

In the early part of the 20th century, Henry Gantt created charts that recorded the progress of workers to a task. It allowed supervisors to quickly see if production schedules were behind, ahead, or on track. Gantt charts revolutionized project management, helping to manage large construction projects like the Hoover Dam and the interstate highway network. While Gantt charts were initially written out on pieces of paper, with the rise of computers in the 1980s, Gantt charts became increasingly complex and elaborate. Today, Gantt charts are still one of the most widely used project management tools.

What is a Gantt chart?

A Gantt chart is a project management tool that illustrates work completed over a period of time in relation to the time planned for the work. It typically includes two sections: the left side outlines a list of tasks, while the right side has a timeline with schedule bars that visualize work. The Gantt chart can also include the start and end dates of tasks, milestones, dependencies between tasks, and assignees.

Today, Gantt chart tools are often referred to as roadmap tools. To keep up with the demands of modern software development, roadmap tools like Jira  include features like a collapsible task structure and resource management panels. This helps teams maintain a coherent project strategy despite the iterative nature of the software development process. Jira includes two roadmap tools to create Gantt charts for your projects: Timelines , which creates plans around Jira issues assigned to a team, and Plans , which does the same thing across teams and organizations.

What is a Gantt chart used for?

Project managers use Gantt charts for three main reasons:

Build and manage a comprehensive project

Gantt charts visualize the building blocks of a project and organize it into smaller, more manageable tasks. The resulting small tasks are scheduled on the Gantt chart's timeline, along with dependencies between tasks, assignees, and milestones.

Determine logistics and task dependencies

Gantt charts can be employed to keep an eye on the logistics of a project. Task dependencies ensure that a new task can only start once another task is completed. If a task is delayed (it happens to the best of us), then dependent issues are automatically rescheduled. This can be especially useful when planning in a multi-team environment.

Monitor progress of a project

As teams log time towards issues in your plan, you can monitor the health of your projects and make adjustments as necessary. Your Gantt chart can include release dates, milestones, or other important metrics to track your project’s progress.

The benefits of using a Gantt chart

There are two main reasons Gantt charts are loved throughout the project management world. They make it easier to create complicated plans, especially those that involve multiple teams and changing deadlines. Gantt charts help teams to plan work around deadlines and properly allocate resources.

Project planners also use Gantt charts to maintain a bird’s eye view of projects. They depict, among other things, the relationship between the start and end dates of tasks, milestones, and dependent tasks. Modern Gantt chart programs, such as Jira with Timelines and Plans, synthesize information and illustrate how choices impact deadlines.

Gantt charts in waterfall vs. agile planning

Whether you like the waterfall or agile methodology , Gantt charts can be a powerful tool for either.

Waterfall and Gantt charts

The waterfall model of project planning follows a linear approach where stakeholder and customer requirements are collected at the beginning of the project. From that, project managers create a sequential project plan, complete with milestones and deadlines. Every piece of the project relies on the completion of preceding tasks. This is favored by teams that focus on process (such as construction or manufacturing) and less on ideation or problem-solving as the steps need to be planned out in advance.

Gantt charts are typically preferred by project managers using waterfall. They determine a project schedule by breaking projects into manageable chunks of work and assigning start and end dates. It’s also helpful in identifying important milestones in your project. Milestones are accomplishments that teams should achieve on or ahead of schedule. They are optional but recommended.

Agile and Gantt charts

On the other hand, the agile model of project planning values flexibility and adaptability. Instead of creating a full timeline with set dates, agile teams break projects into smaller iterations (also known as sprints ). At the beginning of a sprint, a team plans their work against the goals of the project over the course of the next two weeks. Once that sprint is over, the accomplishments and developments from it help to create the plan for the next sprint.

A Gantt chart can show how changing one task has the potential to impact the plan or the product roadmap. For agile teams, this is essential since stakeholder feedback is a large part of the methodology.

How to use Gantt charts

Jira comes with two different roadmapping features, each with a slightly different focus. Jira's  Timelines is designed to track work assigned to a single team while Plans is designed for larger, cross-organization project planning.

Project-specific charts - Jira Timelines

The screenshot above, taken from Timelines, shows a project-specific Gantt chart that is commonly used at the team level or within a single department. The chart shows how the team is tracking toward their goals, and the collapsible work breakdown structure allows project managers to get a bird's eye view on the crucial stories of the project. Jira offers a free project management template which includes Gantt charts.

High-level organization chart - Plans

Timelines offers quick and easy planning that helps teams better manage their dependencies and track progress on the big picture in real-time. These project or team-level roadmaps are useful for team-level planning of large pieces of work.

For planning, managing, and tracking work across multiple teams or even your entire organization, Plans empower teams at scale.

Programs designed with cross-team workflows offer more advanced tools like capacity management and automatic scheduling features to help create more complex plans. They also offer a variety of view settings to allow you to customize your Gantt chart to highlight a certain aspect of your plan when presenting.

In conclusion...

Modern Gantt chart software like Jira with Timelines and Plans are used by project managers and industry leaders to help organizations meet their goals. Whether planning a complex project or monitoring your company’s progress, Gantt chart tools like these are scalable and equally applicable to the portfolio, large solution, program, and team levels, as per SAFe® guidelines.

Learn more about how Timelines and Plans can help you plan your next project. You can try them out with a free trial of Jira .

Eddie Meardon is a Senior Content Designer for Atlassian's Plans team based in Sydney, Australia.

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10 Powerful Excel Project Management Templates for Tracking Anything

P roject management templates are an essential tool for replicating successful projects. With Microsoft Excel's free templates, you can turn your simple spreadsheets into powerful project management tools.

In this article, you'll find some of the most useful and free Microsoft Excel project management and project tracking templates you'll want to use for your next project.

Microsoft Excel Project Timeline Templates

Let's take a look at the best Microsoft Excel project management templates.

We cover both native and third-party templates here. To find the pre-installed Excel spreadsheet templates, open Excel and search for the respective keyword from the New document screen.

If you're already in Excel, go to File > New to bring up the template search. Check the Managing Microsoft Excel Templates section below for more details.

Excel comes with several timelines and Gantt chart templates provided by Microsoft, but it also integrates templates from Vertex42, one of the most popular third-party resources for spreadsheets.

1. Work Plan Timeline

The Work Plan Timeline template is suitable for a basic project with multiple phases. When you enter your data into the worksheet, the roadmap will update automatically. This template comes pre-installed in Microsoft Excel 2016 and up.

2. Date Tracking Gantt Chart

Gantt charts are a staple in every project manager's toolset. They help you visualize the flow of your tasks and track progress.

With this template, you can create a comprehensive Gantt chart with minimal effort. Just enter each task, complete with a description, who it's assigned to, a percentage to indicate progress, a start date, and allocated days until completion. This template is a Microsoft Excel default.

3. Milestone and Task Project Timeline

If you want to integrate milestones into a basic timeline, this template provided by Vertex42 is ideal. It combines the best elements of a Gantt chart, i.e. the visualization of the task flow, with milestones hovering above the timeline.

Just fill in the respective tables to populate the visual. You can find this template by searching in Excel.

Excel Project Plan Templates

A project plan is a document that may require Excel charts, but is otherwise composed in Microsoft Word. For basic projects, however, you may get away with only a Microsoft Excel document.

4. Simple Gantt Chart

When you search Excel's template repository for project plan templates, you'll mainly find different Gantt chart variations, including this Simple Gantt Chart from Vertex42. What sets it apart from the Gantt chart above is the inclusion of project phases. This template is included in Microsoft Excel.

5. Event Planner Template

A project plan really isn't something you typically put together in Excel. However, if you are planning a small project, like a party, you just need a one-page template that lists the essential tasks and lets you define a schedule and a budget. This template from Office Templates Online is a great start.

Excel Project Tracker Template

A search for a tracker will bring up a wild mix of personal and business-related Excel spreadsheet templates for tracking. However, you can narrow down your search by selecting categories that relate to the project management task you're dealing with.

6. Activity-Based Cost Tracker

This tracking template can help you get an overview of direct, indirect, and general and administrative product costs.

7. Project Tracking Template

This Vertex42 template is essential if you are handling multiple different clients, projects, and/or deliverables. It combines project details, expenses, task statuses, and due dates.

Business Plan Templates

Microsoft Excel 2016 had its own category for business plans. You could search for the keyword business and select the Business Plans category on the right.

In Excel 2019 and onwards, you can perform either query, but the latter misses some templates, while the former might be overwhelming. We recommend looking into the following.

Business Plan Checklist

Creating a business plan can be a complex project in and of itself. This checklist will help you cover all your bases by guiding you through the process using a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis.

Note that you'll find two similar templates in Excel, but they're both identical SWOT analysis checklists, differing only in their formatting.

Startup Expenses

This template is a great starting point for a budding business owner who needs some help with projecting the costs of their endeavor. The template will guide you through the most common assets and services your new business might require.

Once you've filled in all the potential expenses, you'll have a much better idea of how much funding you'll need to raise to get your business up and running. For more business plan templates , take a look at our dedicated article.

Search for Online Templates

Couldn't find the exact project management template you need in Excel? Turn to a third-party online resource for a wide selection of Excel spreadsheet templates. We recommend the following sites.

This website has a few great project management templates for Microsoft Office 2003 and up. The site notes that its templates are mostly related to project scheduling. Anything more complicated might require Microsoft Project or other project management software.

On the page dedicated to project management , you'll find a list of useful material, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Project Budgeting
• Critical Path Method

Each page contains a quick rundown of what the template does, one or more templates, and further tips and tricks for the respective project management tool. It's a great resource for budding project managers.

TidyForm has a respectable selection of Microsoft Excel project management templates. The most popular categories are listed on the homepage. If you can't immediately spot what you need, switch to the Business section or try the search feature.

When you scroll to the bottom of a section, you'll see a list of popular categories and related categories. This can be helpful when trying to find just the right template. We recommend the following pages:

• Project Budget
• Project Proposal
• Work Breakdown Structure

Still looking for the perfect template? You might have to create custom Excel templates to get exactly what you want.

Managing Microsoft Excel Templates

First, let's see what templates you already have installed in Microsoft Excel. For the purpose of this demonstration, we've used Excel 2019, but the procedure is similar in Microsoft Office 2013 and Office 2016.

Default Templates

When you start up Microsoft Excel, the first window you see will contain a search field for online templates. When you're starting from an existing workbook, go to File > New to arrive at the same view.

Microsoft Excel comes with a selection of pre-installed templates. They are listed underneath the search field. You can pin your favorite ones by clicking the respective symbol in the bottom right of the listing.

Search Online for More Project Templates (Excel 2016)

Searching for the type of template you need is the fastest way to locate it. For example, if you search for the term "project," you may also see template categories listed next to the templates that match your search. The category feature no longer appears in Excel 2019.

Narrow Down Your Search (Excel 2016)

A neat feature is that you can narrow down your search by selecting multiple categories. This helps you exclude templates that may match your keyword, but not your desired category. On the downside, you may find that the perfect template is not available in Microsoft Excel.

Preview & Create Your Template

When you click a template, you'll see a preview with a brief description of what the template provides. You can also pin the template from its preview; the symbol sits in the top right.

To download and use a template, click the Create button, which will open a new Microsoft Excel workbook with the template pre-filled.

Template Ready, Set, Go

Now that you have all the project management templates you could ever need, maybe you're interested in additional tools, tips, and tricks. For example, you could build a custom interactive Excel dashboard to manage data within your projects. The possibilities are endless.