gantt chart in research proposal

Gantt Chart for a Research Project Proposal: Step-by-step guide

In project management, there are few tools as effective and illuminating as the Gantt chart . This simple yet powerful visual tool is invaluable for anyone overseeing a complex task, including research project proposals. It is particularly beneficial in the early stages of a project, where meticulous planning is required to ensure that all elements of the project are understood, accounted for, and scheduled appropriately. Therefore, whether you're an academic researcher, a project manager in a corporate setting, or even a student planning your thesis, understanding how to create and use a Gantt chart can be a significant asset.

What is a Gantt Chart and what is it used for?

A Gantt chart, named after its creator, Henry Gantt, an American mechanical engineer and management consultant, is a type of bar chart that visually represents a project schedule. It was first developed in the early 20th century and has since become a staple in project management across various fields and industries. Today, it's used by project managers in sectors like construction, software development, research and development, and more.

At its core, a Gantt chart consists of two main components: tasks and time. The tasks related to the project are listed on the vertical axis, while the horizontal axis represents time. Each task is represented by a horizontal bar, the length of which corresponds to the duration of the task.

Make your own Gantt chart in Gleek .

Gantt charts are incredibly useful for planning and scheduling projects, tracking progress, and managing dependencies between tasks. They provide a clear visualization of the project timeline and help to identify potential bottlenecks and overlaps. This makes them an ideal tool for coordinating teams, allocating resources, and keeping stakeholders informed.

The versatility of Gantt charts solves numerous problems faced by project managers. They simplify complex projects by breaking them down into manageable tasks and visualizing their sequence and duration. This can help in avoiding over-scheduling, underestimating deadlines, and mismanaging resources.

Whether you're a seasoned project manager or a student working on a research proposal, mastering the use of Gantt charts can significantly streamline your project planning process and enhance your team's productivity.

Components needed for Research project proposal diagram

Creating an effective research project proposal diagram requires several key components. These elements provide a comprehensive overview of the project, including its timeline, tasks, and significant milestones.

Project Stages: Each stage of your research project should be clearly defined. This can include the literature review, methodology development, data collection and analysis, results compilation, proposal drafting, peer review, and final edits.

Timeline: The timeline provides a visual representation of the project's duration. It should outline the start and end dates of the project, as well as the estimated completion time for each stage.

Tasks: Each task within the project stages should be clearly outlined. This includes what needs to be done, who is responsible for it, and when it should be completed.

Milestones: Milestones mark significant achievements or phases in your project. These can help track progress and ensure that the project is moving forward as planned.

Dependencies: Dependencies show the relationship between different tasks. It's crucial to highlight how the delay in one task can impact others.

Status: The status of each task and stage helps monitor the project's progress. It can indicate whether a stage is completed, in progress, or yet to start.

Notes/Comments: Any additional information, observations, or feedback about the project can be included here. This could be insights gained during the research, changes made to the project plan, or issues that have arisen.

By incorporating these components into your diagram, you can create a well-structured, transparent, and efficient project proposal.

Creating a Research project proposal Gantt chart using the Gleek App

Step 1: launching gleek and selecting 'new diagram'.

First, launch Gleek.io in your web browser. Once you're in, select 'New Diagram' from the options available. In the diagram type, choose 'Gantt'.

Step 2: Defining Research Goals

The research project initiates with an active phase dedicated to defining research goals, which commenced on December 15, 2023, lasting for a week. This phase involves brainstorming, outlining objectives, and establishing the research's overarching scope.

Step 3: Literature Review Phase

Transitioning to the next stage, we have the completed 'Literature Review' phase spanning two weeks. This phase entails an in-depth analysis, sourcing relevant publications, synthesizing existing knowledge, and aligning it with the predefined research goals.

Step 4: Methodology Design Phase

Progressing to the 'Methodology Design' phase, currently active for three weeks, this stage intricately structures the research approach. It involves designing methodologies, frameworks, and strategies based on insights gleaned from the literature review, ensuring a robust research plan.

Step 5: Data Collection Phase

Following the planning stages is the critical 'Data Collection' phase, slated for four weeks. This phase involves meticulously gathering and assembling primary data, employing various methodologies such as surveys, experiments, or interviews, aligning with the established research framework.

Step 6: Data Analysis Phase

Post-data collection, the active 'Data Analysis' phase spans three weeks. This phase engages in thorough data examination, statistical analysis, and deriving insights from the accumulated information. It involves identifying patterns, correlations, or trends relevant to the research objectives.

Step 7: Results Compilation Phase

Subsequently, the 'Results Compilation' phase consolidates and organizes the analyzed data over two weeks, presenting it in a coherent format. This phase involves preparing comprehensive reports, graphs, or summaries, showcasing the findings derived from the data analysis stage.

Step 8: Drafting Proposal Phase

Advancing further, the active 'Drafting Proposal' phase, extending over three weeks, involves crafting the research proposal. It includes outlining the research problem, detailing methodologies, and structuring a cohesive proposal aligned with the project's objectives.

Step 9: Peer Review Phase

Upon completion of the draft, the two-week 'Peer Review' phase gathers insights and constructive feedback from peers or subject experts. It involves peer evaluations, discussions, and recommendations aimed at refining and enhancing the proposal's quality.

Step 10: Final Edits

Finally, the one-week active 'Final Edits' phase focuses on meticulous revisions, addressing feedback, and ensuring the proposal's completeness, accuracy, and compliance with set standards. This stage includes proofreading, formatting, and polishing the final document.

Step 11: Proposal Submission Milestone

The 'Proposal Submission' milestone, set for May 15, 2024, marks the conclusive stage, signifying the submission of the crafted and refined research proposal for evaluation and potential implementation.

Hurray, You Did It!

And there you have it! Your Research Project Proposal Gantt Chart is now complete.

This comprehensive diagram, with its clearly defined stages, tasks, timeline, dependencies, resources, and status, provides a holistic view of your research project. It not only serves as a visual representation of the entire project but also acts as a roadmap guiding you from the initial brainstorming phase to the final proposal submission. Utilizing such a diagram can greatly enhance your project planning and execution, ensuring all aspects are considered, dependencies are taken into account, and milestones are tracked. It fosters better coordination, communication, and understanding among team members, leading to more efficient and effective project management.

About Gleek.io

Gleek.io is a powerful tool that can further enrich your project planning needs. It's an intuitive app designed to help you visualize complex ideas, processes, and systems through various types of diagrams. Whether you need to create a flowchart, UML diagram, or even a Gantt chart like the one we've just built, Gleek.io makes the process straightforward and hassle-free.

With its keyboard-centric approach, Gleek.io allows you to create diagrams faster than traditional drag-and-drop tools. You can quickly jot down your ideas and see them evolve into structured diagrams in real-time, making it an ideal tool for brainstorming sessions, project planning, and presentations.

In conclusion, Gleek.io is more than just a diagramming tool. It's a platform that enables you to visualize your thoughts, communicate complex ideas simply, and manage your projects more effectively. Give it a try for your next project and experience the difference it can make!

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What is a Gantt chart

Some University departments require students to create a Gantt chart to represent a schedule for the research project. The Gantt chart shows the timelines of the various steps of the project including their dependencies and any resources needed . In other words, the chart depicts when an event is supposed to take place in your project by providing an outline regarding the order in which the various tasks need to be performed .

An example of a Gantt chart.

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Last Updated: Apr 30, 2024 1:02 PM
URL: https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/research_proposal

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Creating a Gantt Chart for Your Research Project Proposal

Crafting a successful research proposal demands careful planning. However, managing intricate projects with numerous tasks and deadlines can be challenging.

This is where the Gantt charts come into play. These powerful project management techniques offer a visual roadmap for your research proposal, transforming your intricate plan into a clear and concise document. By incorporating a Gantt chart, you not only streamline the planning process for yourself but also strengthen your proposal by demonstrating a meticulously structured and achievable project.

Let's explore the power of the Gantt chart for crafting robust research proposals and a step-by-step guide on how to create one.

Understanding Gantt Charts and their Application in Research Proposals

Gantt charts , developed by Henry Gantt, an American engineer and project management consultant, are powerful visual tools for project management. They represent project tasks as horizontal bars on a timeline, showing their duration and dependencies. This simple format provides a comprehensive overview of your research proposal development process.

In research proposals, Gantt charts are invaluable because they:

Visualize the Project Lifecycle: Understand the sequential steps involved, from literature review to data analysis and final edits.

Manage Task Dependencies: Identify tasks reliant on others' completion (e.g., data collection after finalizing research methodology).

Optimize Resource Allocation: Allocate essential resources, like software or equipment, to specific tasks within the timeline.

Crafting a Gantt Chart with Rework

Now that you understand the core functionality of Gantt charts, let's explore how to create one specifically for your research proposal. Here, we'll leverage the features of Rework.com , a comprehensive project management platform that streamlines the process.

Rework transcends the limitations of basic Gantt charts, offering functionalities that empower a more streamlined research proposal creation process. Here's how it empowers you:

Seamless Integration: Rework seamlessly integrates task management, workflow design, and progress tracking – all crucial aspects of building a strong research proposal.

Intuitive Interface: No technical expertise is required! Rework's user-friendly interface allows you to create and customize Gantt charts effortlessly.

Real-Time Collaboration: Facilitate effective teamwork and communication among your research team directly within the platform.

Streamlined Workflows: Design clear and concise workflows for each research stage, outlining tasks, deadlines, and responsible team members.

To showcase the power of Rework, let's take a brief look at what a research proposal Gantt chart might look like on the platform.

Each stage would then be broken down into specific tasks, with clear deadlines and assigned team members.

This level of organization and transparency not only strengthens your proposal but also paves the way for a smooth and efficient research journey.

Step-by-Step Guide: Constructing Your Research Proposal Gantt Chart

Having grasped the power of Gantt charts and the functionalities offered by Rework.com, let's embark on the exciting journey of building your research proposal Gantt chart! Here's a step-by-step guide to navigate the process:

1. Define Your Research Goals

This initial step lays the foundation for your entire project. Clearly outline your research topic, objectives, and desired outcomes. Having a well-defined objective will guide you in structuring the subsequent stages.

2. Break Down the Project into Stages

Identify the key stages involved in completing your research, such as literature review, data collection, data analysis, and proposal writing.

3. List Tasks Within Each Stage

Now, delve deeper into each research stage and meticulously list all the specific tasks that need to be completed. For instance, the "literature review" stage might involve tasks like identifying relevant academic databases, searching for articles, and summarizing key findings.

4. Estimate Task Durations

Allocate estimated timeframes for completing each individual task within your research stages. Consider factors like the complexity of the task and the resources available.

5. Identify Task Dependencies

Analyze the sequence of your tasks and pinpoint any dependencies. Remember the data analysis example? It can't begin until the data collection stage is complete. Mapping these dependencies in your Gantt chart ensures a smooth and logical workflow.

6. Utilize Rework's Features

Leverage the user-friendly interface of Rework to effortlessly create your Gantt chart. Input your research stages, tasks, and estimated durations. Rework will translate this information into a clear visual representation of your project timeline.

7. Assign Team Members

If you're working with a team, utilize Rework's functionalities to assign specific tasks to individual team members. This promotes accountability and ensures everyone is on the same page.

8. Track Progress & Make Adjustments

Monitor progress within Rework, identify any potential roadblocks that might arise, and be prepared to adjust your plan as needed. The flexibility of Rework allows you to adapt your Gantt chart to maintain optimal project flow.

By following these steps and utilizing Rework’s capabilities, you'll craft a robust research proposal Gantt chart. This visual roadmap not only streamlines your research journey but also presents a structured plan to potential funders or reviewers, increasing your proposal's success rate.

Advanced Techniques for Optimizing Your Research Proposal Gantt Chart

To elevate your Gantt chart's effectiveness, consider these advanced strategies:

Conditional Formatting: Implement conditional formatting within your Rework Gantt chart. This functionality allows you to utilize color coding to visually distinguish completed tasks from those nearing deadlines or overdue.

Task Annotations: Move beyond simple task listings – enrich them with context for increased clarity and professionalism. Utilize Rework's functionalities to add detailed annotations directly within your Gantt chart for each task. These annotations can incorporate specific instructions, relevant resources, or crucial reminders for team members.

Rework Reporting: Rework extends beyond Gantt chart creation; it empowers you to analyze project progress with robust reporting tools. Generate comprehensive reports that offer valuable insights into task completion rates, resource allocation, and overall project health. By identifying areas needing improvement or potential roadblocks early on, you can proactively adjust your plan and optimize research execution.

Crafting a compelling research proposal is crucial, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. With Rework's intuitive interface and powerful features, creating a professional Gantt chart tailored to your proposal is straightforward. By leveraging Gantt charts, you'll showcase a well-structured and achievable project, increasing your proposal's impact and securing funding. Ready to streamline your research journey? Start building your Gantt chart with Rework today!

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Gantt Chart Research Proposal Template: A Comprehensive Guide + Free Template Download + How to Write it

A comprehensive guide to gantt chart research proposal template.

As a researcher, one of the essential tools in my arsenal is a well-crafted and organized research proposal . However, I often found that traditional proposal formats lacked a clear and visual representation of the project timeline and tasks. That’s why I turned to Gantt Chart Research Proposal Templates. These templates provide a structured framework for outlining the research scope, timeline, and resources required , all within the context of a Gantt chart. In this article, I will explore the importance of using a Gantt Chart Research Proposal Template , and how it differs from a standard proposal in terms of organization and visualization. So, let’s dive into the world of Gantt charts and how they can revolutionize the way we approach research proposals .

Gantt Chart Research Proposal Template

Title: the impact of social media on mental health, introduction.

The introduction should provide a brief overview of the research topic and its significance. It should also include the research question and objectives.

The growing use of social media has raised concerns about its potential impact on mental health. This research aims to investigate the relationship between social media use and mental health, with a focus on the psychological effects of excessive use and cyberbullying. The objectives of the study are to (1) assess the correlation between social media use and mental health issues, (2) identify the contributing factors to negative mental health outcomes, and (3) explore potential interventions to mitigate the negative impact of social media on mental health.

My advice on the introduction:

Ensure that the introduction clearly states the research question and objectives, and provides a compelling rationale for the study. It should effectively communicate the importance and relevance of the research topic to the audience.

Literature Review

The literature review should present a critical analysis of existing research and theories related to the topic. It should also identify gaps in the literature that the proposed study aims to address.

The literature review will examine previous studies on the relationship between social media use and mental health, including research on the potential psychological impacts of excessive use and cyberbullying. It will also explore theories and frameworks that explain the mechanisms through which social media may influence mental health outcomes. The review will highlight the gaps in the current literature, such as the need for more longitudinal studies and the exploration of potential interventions to promote positive mental health in the context of social media use.

My advice on the literature review :

Ensure that the literature review is comprehensive and critical, providing a synthesis of existing knowledge and identifying areas for further investigation. It should also demonstrate the theoretical and empirical foundation for the proposed study.

Methodology

The methodology section should outline the research design , data collection methods, and data analysis techniques . It should also provide a timeline for the proposed research activities.

This study will utilize a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to gather data on social media use and mental health outcomes. The survey will be administered to a representative sample of social media users, while the interviews will involve individuals with personal experiences related to the research topic. Data analysis will involve statistical techniques for the quantitative data and thematic analysis for the qualitative data . The timeline for the research activities is presented in the Gantt chart below.

My advice on the methodology:

Ensure that the methodology is well-structured and aligned with the research objectives . It should provide a clear explanation of the research design and data collection procedures, as well as a realistic timeline for the proposed activities .

Gantt Chart

The Gantt chart should visually depict the timeline for the research activities, including the duration of each task and the deadlines for completion.

My advice on the Gantt chart:

Use the Gantt chart to visually organize and schedule the research activities, providing a clear timeline for each task. Make sure to allocate sufficient time for data collection , analysis, and writing, and consider potential delays or unexpected challenges in the research process .

Download free Gantt Chart Research Proposal Template in Word DocX, Powerpoint PPTX, and PDF. We included Gantt Chart Research Proposal Template examples as well.

Download Free Gantt Chart Research Proposal Template PDF and Examples Download Free Gantt Chart Research Proposal Template Word Document

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Gantt Chart Research Proposal Template FAQ

What is a gantt chart in a research proposal.

A Gantt chart is a visual representation of the timeline for a research project , which lays out the tasks, milestones, and timeframes for completing different aspects of the research.

How can I create a Gantt chart for my research proposal?

You can create a Gantt chart using various software tools such as Microsoft Excel, Project, or specialized project management software. There are also online Gantt chart creators that can help you build a Gantt chart for your research proposal .

What information should be included in a Gantt chart for a research proposal?

A Gantt chart for a research proposal should include tasks, start and end dates, duration of each task, dependencies between tasks, milestones, and responsible individuals or teams for each task.

Can I use a Gantt chart for my qualitative research proposal?

Yes, a Gantt chart can be useful for qualitative research proposals as well. It can help you plan and organize the various stages of your research, from literature review to data collection and analysis.

How detailed should the Gantt chart be for a research proposal?

The level of detail in the Gantt chart will depend on the complexity and duration of the research project. It should be detailed enough to provide a clear overview of the timeline and tasks involved, but not so detailed that it becomes overwhelming.

Is it necessary to include a Gantt chart in my research proposal?

While including a Gantt chart is not always mandatory, it can greatly enhance the clarity and organization of your research proposal . It demonstrates your understanding of the project’s timeline and shows that you have a well-thought-out plan for executing the research.

Can I update the Gantt chart during the course of the research project?

Yes, it’s important to regularly update the Gantt chart throughout the research project to reflect any changes in timelines, tasks, or dependencies. This will help you to stay on track and make adjustments as needed.

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How to use a Gantt chart for a research project

Using a Gantt chart for a research project can give all stakeholders a better understanding of timelines and the resources needed for each task. With all project activities neatly laid out within a timeline and every minor detail accounted for, a Gantt chart provides your team with the framework for successful project operations.

In this article, we’ll discuss a Gantt chart and how you can use it in a research project to maximize efficiency and promote greater transparency. We’ll also share how you can use monday.com’s project management Work OS to simplify the management of any research project further.

What is a Gantt chart?

A Gantt chart is a bar chart popularized in the early 1900s by Henry Gantt. It lets you establish a detailed project plan according to when you need each task completed.

If done correctly, a Gantt chart creates a realistic time frame for a project by establishing a start date for the whole project and each task. Then, you can pair these start dates with an estimation of how long the task will take, broken down by days, weeks, or months.

What makes a Gantt chart unique is that it establishes dependency relationships between all relevant tasks, which can help you better understand necessary workflows.

For example, let’s say you’re creating a research proposal. One of your tasks is to promote awareness and garner support for the proposal on social media. However, before you can do that, you need to create informational materials you can distribute and have the proposal outline ready for viewing. Since these necessities are clearly outlined in the Gantt chart, you can plan your project timeline accordingly.

How can you use a Gantt for research projects?

Research projects are vast undertakings that require a lot of your time, effort, and brain power. Sometimes it’s easy to get sidetracked or confused about what comes next in your research or how you should put it together.

A clear understanding of objectives and deadlines can help you organize even the most complex research project undertakings. Even better, a Gantt chart provides clear step-by-step instructions with dependency relationships marked to ensure every team member understands their responsibilities.

A Gantt chart ensures all research project team members clearly understand objectives, deadlines, and task dependency relationships.

Best practices for planning and scheduling a research project

Understanding the best practices for planning and scheduling a research project can help you get the most out of your Gantt chart . A few best practices include:

Have a clear goal : Before sitting down to plan your research project, ask yourself some crucial questions. What are you trying to achieve? Why are you trying to achieve it? When do you need to complete it?
Use scheduling tools : Use task and resource scheduling tools when possible to reduce the risk of human error.
Get the team involved : Gather your team together for a brainstorming session, if possible, when developing a list of tasks required to meet your final objective.
Consider dependency relationships : Consider the dependency relationships between objectives carefully and be realistic about time frames. Ensuring your team has enough time to successfully and thoroughly complete each task from the beginning sets your research project up for success.
Identify potential issues : Identify risks and potential roadblocks in your schedule and have a backup plan for each to ensure a steady workflow with minimal pushbacks.
Consider resource requirements : Consider the resources necessary to complete each task. Remember to include work hours as resources and schedule each team member appropriately to achieve objectives in the desired time frame.
Plan for reporting : Assign specific times, or interval periods, for progress reports and compare these with your initial estimations. If these reports show alterations are necessary, don’t be afraid to make changes.
Identify KPIs : Before the research project begins, identify key performance metrics and track them as you go to define your success clearly. You may find using a relevant tool or platform the easiest way to track performance metrics.

Having the right tools can increase efficiency, decrease downtime, and ensure objective deadlines are not only met but exceeded.

Managing research projects on monday.com

monday.com’s robust project management Work OS makes managing research projects easier by:

Centralizing projects from start to finish : Our Work OS lets you centralize all projects from conception to completion, with customizable dashboards that show you the information you deem most important. Quickly assess risks, bottlenecks, and roadblocks to keep your research project moving forward.
Streamlining project workflows : Streamline workflows by automating routine tasks and assigning teammates to the work they’re most qualified for. Then, track individual and project-wide progress in real-time with regular task updates. Use color coding to make task management even more straightforward.
Enabling communication across teams : Our Work OS promotes communication between project members and across different teams, so all stakeholders know where things stand at all times. You can share documents, leave notes, and work together in real-time for more effective communication that allows you to exceed every deadline and meet every objective.

monday.com can provide your team with a Gantt chart view to make project management easier. Get started with monday.com’s powerful Work OS by building a research project workflow from scratch or try a few of our other templates for managing research projects easier.

Related templates

A basic Gantt chart can help you plan your research project in detail. On monday.com, you can add a Gantt View to any type of project board. Below are some of our recommended templates from our Template Center that you can use to fine-tune other essential aspects of your research project.

Keyword power tools template

Our Research Power Tools Template uses a Gantt chart format to help you visualize project timelines, manage project resources, and monitor each phase of your research projects from one platform.

Publication and journals template

Our Publications and Journals Template is an excellent tool for content publishing companies. You can use our template to:

Manage your publication process: Our template enables whole-process management from submission to approval. Easily track article status and monitor writer workload to ensure you meet publishing deadlines.
Visualize your publishing pipeline: Customizable dashboards allow you to receive a high-level overview of all current and upcoming articles and where they stand.
Track individual contributions: Ensure each writer meets minimum contributions and isn’t given too large a workload by tracking individual contributions.

By now, you should have a working idea of Gantt charts and how they increase transparency and efficiency in project management. However, if you still have questions, we’ve answered a few FAQs below.

How do you create a dissertation in a Gantt chart?

To create a Gantt chart for a dissertation, you should first understand your timeline and deliverables. Once you’ve written these down, create detailed task lists of how you’ll accomplish each deliverable and consider dependency relationships between each. Finally, use the Gantt chart to outline your dissertation from start to finish.

What should be in a dissertation timeline?

In a dissertation timeline, you should include the following:

Role assigning (if applicable)
Research tasks
Experiments, social or scientific (if applicable)
Data collection and analysis
First draft completion
Submission to the advisor (first) and dean (at completion)

How do you create a Gantt chart in Word?

You can create a Gantt chart in Microsoft Word by:

Opening a new Word document
Change the document orientation from vertical to horizontal
Insert a bar graph into your document
Make format alterations as necessary to make the graph look like a Gantt chart
Insert information and customize as necessary

Any team can increase transparency in their research projects with monday.com

Using a Gantt chart to create a detailed project timeline can help increase transparency and promote greater efficiency in your organization’s research projects.

When you pair a Gantt chart with monday.com’s robust project management system, you have the tools you need to meet deadlines, complete objectives, and exceed expectations.

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A Guide for Using Gantt Chart for Research Project

Are you embarking on a research project and feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of managing your tasks and timelines? Fear not! In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the power of Gantt charts for research projects. From crafting a research proposal to executing your project, Gantt charts can be your best friend. Let's dive into the world of Gantt charts and discover how they can streamline your research journey.

Understanding Gantt Charts for Research Projects

Before we delve into the practical aspects of using Gantt charts for research projects, let's start with the basics. What exactly is a Gantt chart, and how can it benefit your research endeavors?

What is a Gantt Chart?

A Gantt chart is a visual representation of a project schedule that displays tasks, their durations, and the relationships between them. This tool was originally developed by Henry L. Gantt in the 1910s, and it has since become a staple in project management across various fields, including research.

Benefits of Using Gantt Charts for Research Projects

Clarity and Visualization: Gantt charts provide a clear and visual overview of your research project, making it easier to understand the sequence of tasks and their dependencies.
Task Organization: You can break down your research into manageable tasks and allocate time for each one, ensuring that you stay on track.
Timeline Management: Gantt charts help you set realistic deadlines and track your progress, preventing delays and ensuring you complete your project on time.
Resource Allocation: You can allocate resources such as personnel, equipment, and funding to specific tasks, optimizing your research efficiency.
Communication: Gantt charts are excellent communication tools. They allow you to share your project timeline with team members, advisors, or stakeholders, fostering transparency and collaboration.

Now that you understand the benefits of using Gantt charts for research projects , let's explore how to implement them effectively.

Creating a Gantt Chart for Your Research Proposal

Before you can dive into your research project, you'll likely need to prepare a research proposal to outline your objectives, methodology, and timeline. This is where a Gantt chart can be incredibly useful.

Step 1: Define Your Research Objectives

Begin by establishing a clear and concise delineation of your research goals and purposes.

What do you aim to achieve, and what are the key milestones? Break down your research into specific tasks or phases, such as literature review, data collection, analysis, and report writing.

Step 2: Identify Task Dependencies

Next, identify the dependencies between tasks. Certain tasks might require completion before others can commence. For instance, you might need to finish data collection before you can start data analysis. These dependencies will help you create a logical sequence for your Gantt chart.

Step 3: Estimate Task Durations

Estimate the duration of each task or phase. Be realistic in your estimates, considering factors like the complexity of the task and the resources available. It's better to overestimate than underestimate, as this will help you avoid unexpected delays.

Step 4: Create Your Gantt Chart

Now, it's time to create your Gantt chart . You can use specialized project management software like Microsoft Project, Excel, or online tools like Slikk.ai, Asana, or even dedicated Gantt chart software. In your Gantt chart, each task is represented as a horizontal bar, and the length of the bar corresponds to the task's duration. Task dependencies are indicated by the order of the bars.

Step 5: Review and Refine

Once you've created your initial Gantt chart, review it carefully. Ensure that it aligns with your research proposal and that the timeline is feasible. Make adjustments as needed.

Step 6: Share Your Proposal and Gantt Chart

Share your research proposal and Gantt chart with your advisor, committee members, or anyone involved in your project. Their feedback can be invaluable in refining your plan and ensuring its feasibility.

With your research proposal and Gantt chart in hand, you're ready to embark on your research project. But the journey doesn't end here; Gantt charts are equally essential for project execution and management.

Managing Your Research Project with Gantt Charts

As you transition from the proposal stage to the actual execution of your research project, your Gantt chart becomes a dynamic tool to keep you on track. Here's how to effectively manage your research project using Gantt charts:

Task Allocation

Assign specific tasks to yourself and your team members if applicable. Each person's responsibilities should be clearly defined in the Gantt chart. This ensures accountability and prevents confusion.

Timeline Monitoring

Regularly update your Gantt chart to reflect the progress of your project. As tasks are completed, mark them as such and adjust the timeline if necessary. If any delays occur, identify the reasons and take corrective action.

Resource Management

Keep an eye on resource allocation. Are you running low on a particular resource? Do you need to reallocate resources to meet project demands? Your Gantt chart can help you make informed decisions.

Communication and Collaboration

Share your Gantt chart with your team and stakeholders. It serves as a common reference point for everyone involved, fostering effective communication and collaboration. It's much easier to discuss project status and adjustments when you have a visual representation.

Risk Management

Identify potential risks to your project's timeline and address them proactively. If you anticipate delays or obstacles, have contingency plans in place. Your Gantt chart can include these contingencies, providing a safety net for your project.

Celebrate Milestones

As you reach important milestones in your research, take the time to celebrate your achievements. This not only boosts morale but also serves as a motivator for the next phase of your project.

Tips for Using Gantt Charts Effectively

To make the most of Gantt charts for your research project, here are some additional tips:

Keep It Simple: While Gantt charts can become complex for large projects, strive to keep yours as simple as possible. Too much detail can make it difficult to read and maintain.
Regular Updates: Don't let your Gantt chart become stagnant. Regularly update it to reflect the current status of your project.
Use Colours: Use colors to differentiate tasks or highlight critical paths in your Gantt chart. This makes it easier to spot important information at a glance.
Be Realistic: Set realistic deadlines and durations. Overloading your schedule can lead to burnout and project failure.
Collaborative Tools: Consider using collaborative project management tools that allow multiple team members to update the Gantt chart in real time.
Training: If you're working with a team, ensure that everyone understands how to read and update the Gantt chart. Offer training if necessary.

In the world of research projects, where meticulous planning and execution are paramount, Gantt charts are indispensable tools. They offer clarity, organization, and control over your project's timeline, making them essential for both research proposals and project management.

By following the steps outlined in this guide and implementing Gantt charts effectively, you'll be better equipped to tackle your research project with confidence. From defining your objectives to celebrating your achievements, Gantt charts are your trusty companions on the journey to research success.

So, the next time you embark on a research project, remember the power of the Gantt chart. It's not just a tool; it's your roadmap to research excellence. Happy researching!

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The Research Whisperer

Just like the thesis whisperer – but with more money, how to make a simple gantt chart.

In every grant application, I want to see a simple visual guide (a Gantt chart ) that shows what you are planning to do. It is the perfect time to plan your project clearly. It shows the assessors that you have thought about your research in detail and, if it is done well, it can serve as a great, convincing overview of the project.

Clearly, these charts are hard to do. If they were easy, more people would do them, right?

Here are five steps to create a simple guide to your research project.

1. List your activities

Make a list of everything that you plan to do in the project. Take your methodology and turn it into a step-by-step plan. Have you said that you will interview 50 people? Write it on your list. Are you performing statistical analysis on your sample? Write it down.

A list of research tasks: have a meeting, do desk audit looking at three key elements (code, plain language and machine readable) plus maybe a fourth element - icons, do some testing and write a report.

Check it against your budget. Everything listed in the budget should also be listed on your uber-list? Have you asked for a Thingatron? Note down that you will need to buy it, install it, commission it… What about travel? Write down each trip separately.

2. Estimate the time required

For each item on your list, estimate how long it will take you to do that thing. How long are you going to be in the field? How long will it take to employ a research assistant? Realistically, how many interviews can you do in a day? When will people be available?

Initial meeting: about 3 weeks to find a time. Desk audit: 4 months. Draft key elements: about 1 week each. Testing: about 1 week each, but can start organising as soon as first element is drafted. Write up: 2 months. Final report: no time, really – just need to find a time to meet.

Generally, I use weeks to estimate time. Anything that takes less than a week I round off to a week. Small tasks like that will generally disappear from the list when we consolidate (see Step 4). Then I group things together into months for the actual plan.

3. Put activities in order

What is the first thing that you are going to do? What will you do next? What will you do after that?

In the comments, Adrian Masters provided some great questions to help with this stage: What do I need to do by when? What do I need from others & when? How do I check that I am still on track?

One by one, put everything in order. Make a note of any dependencies; that is, situations where you can’t do one thing until another is started or finished. If the research assistant is going to do all the interviews, then the interviews can’t start until the research assistant is hired.

Where possible, you should eliminate as many as possible dependencies. For example, if you can’t find a decent research assistant, you will do the fieldwork yourself (but that might mean that work will be delayed until you finish teaching). It isn’t a necessary step to getting your time-line in order, but it is good project management practice.

In the comments, Amy Lamborg pointed out that you might want to work backwards . If you have a fixed end date, you might want to “…build back towards the project start date, then jiggle everything until it fits !” If you want an example of this, have a look at the post “ Work backwards “. It is about writing an application, but the principle of starting with the fixed end date and working backwards still applies.

4. Chunk it up

Now that you have an ordered list, and you know how long everything will take, you need to reduce the list without losing any specificity. At the same time, if you are combining tasks, you might want to add a bit of time as a contingency measure.

Meet with partners: 3 weeks. Review data protection regimes: 4 months. Draft three key elements: 3 months. Test three key elements: 3 months, with some overlap. Analyse test results and report: 3 months.

How you divide up your time depends on your project. If it is only one year long, you might list items by month. If your project is three years long, then you might list items by quarter. If you are planning over five years, you might break it down to six-month periods.

5. Draw me a picture

If you use project management software to manage your project, and you are comfortable with it, then use it to produce a summary of your project, too.

Most project management software (e.g. like Microsoft Project) will allow you to group activities into summary items. Chunk your tasks into major headings, then change the time interval to your months, quarters, half-years, or whatever you have chosen to use.

Or you can just draw it up with word-processing software (which is what I always do), spreadsheet software, or even hand-draw it.

Frankly, I don’t care – as long as it ends up in your application!

Also in the ‘simple grant’ series:

How to write a simple research methods section .
How to make a simple research budget .

Creating awesome Gantt charts for your PhD timeline

It’s a common scenario: you have never heard about Gantt charts. Then, when writing a PhD application or planning your PhD timeline for the upcoming years, someone suggests: You should include a Gantt chart! No need to worry. Here is all you need to know about Gantt charts for your PhD timeline.

What are Gantt charts?

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A Gantt chart is a visual representation of a project schedule and a widely used tool in project management.

Gantt charts belong to the family of bar charts. In a Gantt chart, bars depict different project tasks. The length of each bar is proportionate to the task duration and indicates both start and finish dates.

Gantt charts are named after Henry Gantt. He lived from 1861-1919 and developed these types of charts as part of his work as a management consultant.

A Grantt chart is a great way to provide an overview of project tasks, activities and milestones.

Gantt charts are frequently used to illustrate PhD timelines because doing a PhD essentially means creating, managing and implementing a project with many components over several years.

Therefore, Gantt charts are popular tools among (aspiring) PhD students.

They are often featured in PhD proposals: Through visual representations, Gantt charts help communicate milestones, plans and estimated task durations.

Furthermore, Gantt chart PhD timelines allow PhD students to track their progress. They can also help PhD students to stay on track with their work.

You may also like: How to develop an awesome PhD timeline step-by-step

Gantt charts can include all kind of information, based on the specific project they are focusing on. When it comes to Gantt chart PhD timelines, there are several elements that are commonly featured:

Extensive PhD proposal/plan
Data collection
Experiments
Data analysis
Writing plan
Publications
Conferences
Courses/Coursework

Of course, every PhD project is unique. This uniqueness should be reflected in your Gantt chart. For instance, your Gantt chart PhD timeline will look different if you write a PhD based on articles or if you write a monograph .

For a PhD based on published articles, different bars in a Gantt chart PhD timeline could for example represent individual papers. For a monograph, it may be smarter to focus on research stages.

How do you create a Gantt chart for your PhD timeline?

Unfortunately, creating a Gantt chart in Microsoft Excel is far from straightforward as Excel does not provide its own Gantt chart template.

You can create a table, turn it into a bar chart and manually edit it until it looks like a Gantt chart. If you have some experience with Excel, it is doable. Detailed instructions on the process can be found in this manual from Ablebits.com.

However, why go through all the hassle when you can simply download a template? You can use Microsoft’s own free Gantt project planner template and adjust it to your PhD project.

Manually creating a PhD timeline Gantt chart in PowerPoint is a bit easier than in Excel. Therefore, I will explain the process here.

First, you need to open a blank PowerPoint slide. Then click on Insert (1.), then Chart (2.). A popup will appear. Select Bar (3.) and finally select the Stacked Bar option (4).

A standard bar chart will appear on your slide and a small Excel table with open next to it. The first column in the Excel table is called Categories . You can replace categories with the PhD tasks that you want to display. For instance, Literature Review, Interviews, Transcribing and Analysis. You can add more categories or delete existing ones by removing a row in the small Excel table.

Next to the Categories (now tasks) column, you see three more columns: Series 1 , Series 2 , Series 3 . You can use these columns to showcase the length of tasks. Rename Series 1 into Start Date and Series 2 into End Date . Series 3 indicates the overall length. Depending on the timeframe you want to showcase, you can opt for instance for Length (weeks) or Length (months) .

In the example below, I decided to plan PhD tasks for a year. Thus, 1 means January, 2 means February, 3 means March and so forth. The length of tasks is also indicated in months:

Next, click on your chart and three icons will appear in the upper-right corner next to it. Click on the bottom one, the Chart filters , remove the tick of the check box of End Date , and click on Apply. You will see that the bar chart will start to look like a Gantt chart:

Now, the blue parts of the bar, indicating the Start Dates, need to be removed. Just click on one of them, and on the righthand side, Format Data Series should appear. Select No fill. Alternatively, in the upper menu, select Format , go to Shape fill, and select No fill .

Now comes the fun part, namely decorating. You can add a chart title, colour the bars in the colour of your choice, edit the legend and the axis descriptions. Just play with it to explore the options.

One more thing I did was changing the value of the axis, because I want to illustrate the months of a year. Thus, it was a bit weird that the horizontal axis started with 0 and ended with 13 while I needed 1-12 to indicate each month of a year. You can simply change this by clicking on the axis. On the righthand side, Format Axis will appear. Go to Axis Options , Bounds , and enter 1 for Minimum and 12 for Maximum .

And voila! Your Gantt chart is ready.

The nice thing about learning how to create a Gantt chart in Microsoft PowerPoint is that you basically teaches you how to create one in a Word file as well! The process is very similar.

To start the process in Word, it is smart to first change the orientation of your page to Landscape . In the top menu, click on Layout , then select Orientation , then choose Landscape .

Next, select Insert , then Chart , and select a Stacked Bar chart again.

A basic bar chart will appear on your page:

Looks familiar? Yes! From here, it is basically the same process as editing the bar chart in PowerPoint.

If you don’t want to go through the hassle of creating your own Gantt chart but are not convinced by any templates, you can make use of online tools and software.

There are some paid providers out there, but in my opinion, it is not worth paying to create an awesome PhD timeline.

You can use a free provider (or make do with one of the many Gantt chart templates that exist on the internet). One free online tool is the Free Online Gantt Chart Software :

The site requires no signup. You can editing and simply start filling in the Gantt chart, and export it as an Excel, Image or PDF file when you are done!

PhD timeline Gantt chart templates

A great way to create a detailed Gantt chart in Microsoft Excel is by using Microsoft’s free Gantt project planner template . The level of detail and functionality exceeds those of simple, manually created Gantt charts. This makes this type of Gantt chart especially useful to track detailed PhD progress.

A useful Gantt chart template for PhD timelines in PowerPoint can be downloaded here via OfficeTimeline.com This Gantt chart is particularly great to provide a rough overview of plans over a longer period. For instance, with a few edits, you can illustrate a nice 3-year PhD timeline.

Useful Gantt chart templates for Microsoft Word can be downloaded here from TemplateLAB. I like these templates as they can be easily adjusted to the needs of a PhD timeline. For instance, a weekly Gantt chart template can be useful to establish a detailed plan with weekly objectives to keep your PhD progress on track.

PhD timeline Gantt chart examples

Using the template provided by Microsoft above, an example PhD timeline to track regular progress on tasks could look, for instance, like this:

Using the Gantt chart PowerPoint template by OfficeTimeline.com above, an example PhD timeline to present a plan for a 3 year PhD could look, for instance, like this:

Using a weekly Gantt chart template from TemplateLab mentioned above, an example PhD timeline with weekly tasks and objectives could look, for instance, like this:

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Exploring the Gantt chart as a tool to highlight double report in case series published during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

Vânia n. hirakata.

1 Unidade de Bioestatística, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil

Maria Lúcia R. Oppermann

2 Serviço de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre and Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil

3 Serviço de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil

Vanessa K. Genro

Angela j. reichelt.

4 Serviço de Endocrinologia e Metabologia, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, 90035-903 Brazil

Associated Data

The datasets used for the analyses presented in this study are available as Additional file 1 .

During the COVID-19 pandemic, some studies describing different aspects of the infection included very similar participants, rising suspicion about double reporting. We aimed to evaluate the Gantt chart as a tool to highlight possible double reporting. The chart is routinely used in business applications to depict tasks of a project, by plotting horizontal bars against time, showing their time span and overlaps.

All case reports and case series of pregnant women with COVID-19, published by July 15, 2020, were included. Initial and final dates of participants’ enrollment, country, city, hospital, and number of pregnancies were plotted in the Gantt chart. Bars stand for enrollment dates of each study, according to hospital and city, thus allowing comparisons.

We included 116 articles in the present analysis. The Gantt chart highlighted papers in which some participants were likely the same, thus allowing easier identification of double reporting of cases. Combining all information and pregnancy characteristics and outcomes helped to recognize duplications when the authors did not acknowledged the previous publication.

Conclusions

Unintended double reporting may occur, especially in exceptional times. The Gantt chart may help researchers to visually identify potential duplications, thus avoiding biased estimates in systematic reviews or meta-analysis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13643-022-02024-0.

The novelty of the COVID-19 illness and the search for rapid answers to questions on its characteristics, treatment, and prognosis unleashed a flood of papers being rapidly produced, some with no strict adherence to methodological directives [ 1 ]. Several systematic reviews on pregnancy and COVID-19 were available by the end of 2020, and concern about case duplications and other methodological issues was raised at that time [ 2 ]. An editorial called attention to the report of different aspects of the disease in the same participant, in papers published in different journals, with no clear citation of a prior publication [ 3 ].

Double reporting is not particular to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been described at least since the 1980s; at that time, the main concern was about publishing the same article in different printed journals, essentially, an ethical problem [ 4 ]. With the advent of data synthesis studies, including systematic reviews with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the effects of double reporting on estimates of effect size became a scientific matter [ 5 , 6 ], added to the ethical issues.

That scientific problem posed a challenge: how to detect overlapping cases when performing a systematic review? Our study aimed to evaluate the Gantt chart as a tool to identify and highlight such possible duplications.

This is a secondary analysis of data collected for a systematic review [ 7 ]. The review project was approved on 18 August 2020 by the Research Ethics Committee of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil (CAAE 35017020600005327), under number 2020-0382. The original systematic review was carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations [ 8 , 9 ]. We have not personally included any patient in the present study, nor in the original review; all data were collected from published studies (references in Additional file 1 ). Thus, informed consent form was not deemed necessary.

Studies encompassed in this manuscript were published in 2020. We searched for articles up to July 3, in PubMed and Embase, and July 15, in medRxiv and the Cochrane Excel sheet “Perinatal outcomes in COVID-19 infection” [ 10 ]. During data extraction for the systematic review, we became aware of potential participant duplication in some studies. Therefore, we searched for a tool that might expose the suspected duplications through bar graphs; the Gantt chart appeared a suitable choice.

Originally intended to plot the components and time frames of several activities of a complex project, the Gantt chart is a bar graph mainly used in business administration [ 11 ]. Although in business applications it presents the interrelationships of different tasks of a project across time, here each study stood for a “different task.” The Gantt chart differs from a conventional bar chart because time can be included as a variable; this allows researchers to visualize the time span of enrollment or duration of each study. The Gantt chart data were drawn from a spreadsheet; the insertion of initial and final dates of participants’ enrollment in each study generated a bar at the right side of the chart — the duration of the study/“task.” The Gantt chart can also highlight the “hierarchy” of studies, showing which ones could have participants already included in a larger or prior study during a parallel time frame. Here, national registries can be viewed as the “parent” studies and the smaller case series as “sub-activities” [ 11 ].

The following data from each study were plotted: continent, followed by country, municipality/city, hospital, author, number of pregnancies, and dates of the participants enrollment, as provided by the authors. When just the month was provided, we set the whole month as dates; if authors declared early in the month, we set day as 5, mid-month as day 15, and late month as day 25.

Studies from the same hospital were grouped and compared to search for overlap of dates and authors. If overlap of dates occurred, clinical characteristics of individual cases (when available), or of the whole case series, were compared among studies. These comparisons included information about maternal and gestational ages, date and mode of delivery, complications of delivery or of COVID-19, laboratory results, treatments, and outcomes. Additional information on the newborn helped to further refine the data. For our systematic review, all case series from the same hospital within the same date frame were discarded, except for the largest one presenting the outcome of interest. We included all case series from the same hospital when there was no overlap of data. Whenever a national registry was included, overlap was presumed if dates reported in the smaller studies were, partially or entirely, within the time range covered by the national registry. If individual data were provided in any of the series to be discarded, the cases clearly not doubly reported in different papers were included in data synthesis.

Authors were contacted by e-mail if dates of data collection were not fully reported or if case series in the same period coincided with a national registry that could include the same participants. Studies were excluded if dates were not provided in the original paper or upon request.

For better visualization of a potential overlap, different shades of the colors were used for the horizontal bars of the chart, each representing one hospital. Each color spectrum (e.g., light green, medium green) represented a country. National registries were always the “parent” bar and were represented by the darkest color of the spectrum.

The outcome chosen in the original meta-analysis was rare — the frequency of endocrine disorders in pregnant women with COVID-19; it could be retrieved only after a thorough reading of almost all the articles. To plot the chart in the current manuscript, we did not take the outcome of interest into consideration, since our intention was to show how to organize the studies in a logical order to evaluate potential duplications. Therefore, apart from this main analysis, we performed an exercise to illustrate the use of the Gantt chart when the outcome is more frequent. We chose C-section rates in women with COVID-19 described in studies from New York City hospitals to show how numbers could be impacted.

Statistics were performed with Excel® spreadsheet and SPSS® version 18. Descriptive analyses were expressed as number (percentage).

For the present analyses, 132 articles encompassing 12,877 pregnancies were identified. Out of these, 16 (12%; 44 pregnancies) were excluded due to missing dates; thus, 116 (88%) with information on 12,833 pregnancies (99.7%) were analyzed. In the Additional file 1 , sheet 1, references of the included and excluded articles are shown.

We sent e-mails asking for additional information about the time span of data collection to 12 authors; 9 (75.0%) [ 12 – 20 ] answered, and the studies were included in the charts; three did not answer, but one reported only the final date, and the study was included [ 21 ]. Four authors were contacted to clarify possible participant duplication; in two studies, there were no duplications [ 22 , 23 ]; in one, partial overlap was confirmed [ 24 ], and the fourth could not confirm [ 25 ].

In Table Table1, 1 , names of countries and number of studies are presented. In 61 studies (53%), individual data were provided; among these, 25 (41%) were reports of single cases; the remaining were case series ranging from two to 46 women. In the 55 case series studies that did not provide individual data, the smallest included nine women and the largest 8207. Excluded studies were slightly different from those included; there were no national registries nor case series with individual data.

Number of studies by country and the absence/presence of individual data

In Fig. Fig.1, 1 , the Gantt chart with studies from all countries available by July 15, 2020, is shown. Scanning the chart, two issues came to mind. First, through the sequence of published studies, a timeline of the SARS-CoV-2 virus spread could be traced: initially in Asia, then Europe, and, finally, in the Americas. The second issue was a possible overlap of cases included in the studies. In Additional file 1 , sheets 2 to 4, we present the raw data used to plot the Gantt chart.

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.
Object name is 13643_2022_2024_Fig1_HTML.jpg

Gantt chart showing studies of COVID-19 in pregnant women to July 15, 2020

Data from Wuhan’s hospitals are shown at the top of Fig. Fig.1, 1 , as well as other studies from Asia. One may note that, across time, different reports could have included the same participants, because, for a particular hospital, some dates clearly overlapped. One large study [ 26 ] had a wide time frame that could include several smaller reports. The same pattern can be seen in series from Europe, plotted in the middle part of Fig. Fig.1. 1 . Studies from Spain could encompass overlapping case series, since one of them was multicentric [ 23 ]. After contacting the authors, we confirmed that this multicentric study did not include the women of the two other studies [ 27 , 28 ]. Regarding the Americas (bottom of the chart), several studies have dates within the time frame of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report [ 29 ]. If this large study is kept in the analysis, probably all smaller studies from the USA should be discarded. In two studies from Brazil [ 30 , 31 ], initial and final dates of enrollment were almost the same, leading to the presumption that most cases might be the same; therefore, the official information of the Brazilian Health Ministry was elected [ 31 ].

When we evaluated, as an exercise, the rates of C-section in New York City, the incidence of the outcome changed (Additional file 2 , sheets 1 and 2). Firstly, we estimated the crude C-section incidence including all studies; then, estimates of the C-section incidence were calculated by combining studies that clearly did not overlap. When more than one study was from the same hospital and within a similar time frame, incidence was recalculated by excluding these hospitals one by one, as done in a sensitivity analysis. Out of 14 studies, 11 could be included, presenting 208 C-sections among 532 women (incidence: 39%). Potential overlap may have occurred among cases of the Maimonides Medical Center ( n = 3), those of the NY Presbyterian Hospital ( n = 3), and those of the NY University Langone Health ( n = 3). Consequently, five out of 11 studies (45%) were excluded due to presumed overlap of samples, representing 45/532 (8%) women. Notably, scrutinizing authorship was also significant; in Khoury’s et al. study [ 32 ], cases of Penfield et al. [ 33 ] and Pierce-Williams et al. [ 34 ] reports were explicitly included. We assumed that cases of Breslin et al. series [ 35 , 36 ] were not included in Khoury’s because the latter authors did not reference Breslin’s studies. We calculated C-section incidence considering two models, each one excluding studies with potential duplication of cases (Additional file 2 , sheet 2). The first one included four studies [ 12 , 22 , 32 , 36 ], resulting in 141 C-sections among 355 women, incidence of 40%. In the second model, we included the studies with the largest series from each hospital [ 12 , 22 , 34 , 36 , 37 ], resulting in 87 C-sections among 246 women; incidence changed to 35%. Note that the 24 C-sections reported in Pierce-Williams’ et al. study [ 34 ] occurred in 12 hospitals, of which only three were in NY. Since we do not know the number of C-sections from each of the three hospitals, the last incidence estimate (35%) may be inaccurate.

The Gantt chart, detailing each study on COVID-19 in pregnant women, helped to identify possible double reporting of case(s) in different studies during the preparation of a systematic review. Plotting of the chart allowed investigators to visualize situations in which careful analysis is recommended to avoid double inclusion of the same participant in the results synthesis.

The Gantt chart can be used in several situations, each with a particular view, with the intention to evaluate “temporal dependencies” [ 38 ]. It was used to tell the “historiophoty” of a university department [ 39 ], and, more recently, to describe the clinical course of COVID-19 cases across time [ 40 ], and to describe cases of COVID-19 in some psychiatric facilities [ 41 ].

Duplicated reports are usually described and evaluated in meta-analysis of RCTs [ 5 , 6 ]. Six patterns of duplication have been described, ranging from an article published in two different journals to what von Elm called a chaotic situation, in which “both study sample and outcomes of duplicates and main articles were different despite evidence that both articles originated from the same study. Definite confirmation was only possible through contact with the authors” [ 42 ].

Various techniques to identify duplicates have been proposed. One of them is an electronic identification of double titles, which is resolved with the use of a reference manager, such as EndNote, or the recently proposed “Systematic Review Assistant-Deduplication Module,” a program that yields better accuracy than EndNote for detecting duplicate titles [ 43 ]. Hints to detect duplication of studies when extracting data have been provided [ 44 ]. Visualizing possible duplications through the use of charts was recently brought forth; the authors showed graphical techniques, including Venn diagram [ 45 ]; thus, studying duplications is not out of date. Five aspects to “improve the reliability of meta-analysis” of any kind were suggested, and the first one indicates the following: “be vigilant about double counting” [ 6 ].

Overlap may be anticipated in case series reports when facing a new disease [ 46 ]. Clear reference to the FIRST (index) report in subsequent publications is mandatory. We found several examples: Yan et al. [ 47 ] included data of other four studies; Khoury et al. [ 32 ] reported that among their sample of 241 women, 84 (35%) were included in other publications [ 33 , 34 , 48 ]; and in two reports from Europe, the authors included four women in one study [ 49 ] and seven in other [ 24 ], but double reporting of four women was clearly stated in the second study and further clarified through contact with the author, who kindly provided individual data.

The influence of double reporting on the precision of estimates cannot be minimized. In the exercise shown here, the incidence of C-section in New York hospitals ranged from 35 to 40%; when we included all studies ( n = 11), incidence was 39%; including the largest one and three others without evidence of overlap, the incidence was similar (40%); and when only the largest sample of each hospital was included ( n = 5 studies), the incidence dropped to 35%; this difference might be clinically relevant.

Contacting the authors of studies may define the extent of the overlap; perhaps, one could go as far as asking for their individual level data. Our precision in the plotting of the Gantt chart improved, since most authors answered our requests upon dates and half of them, upon duplicated cases.

Plotting a Gantt chart has strengths: possible duplications can be easily visualized. For this, some information is crucial: the outcome of interest, the time span, and the specific setting of each study, such as clinic or hospital. Less relevant, but still necessary, is the ascertainment of studies authorship. It can also highlight potential duplication in situations in which partial results were published before the index paper, such as abstracts presented in congresses. Moreover, we could show the impact on the final figures of a more frequent outcome — the rates of C-section — after running a sensitivity analysis of some potential overlapping studies depicted in the chart.

Limitations must also be cited: the chart cannot be drawn when dates and/or settings are not provided. Here, we observed absent dates in some studies, which potentially could lead to bias; nevertheless, only 12% of the studies were excluded for this reason, representing loss of 44 pregnancies among the 12,877 eligible participants. Moreover, we observed a response rate of 75% from the authors we contacted regarding dates of data collection. Our interest was to demonstrate the existence (or not) of overlapping studies or inclusion of the same participants in more than one study; therefore, we did not consider the outcome of interest. Indeed, the Gantt chart helped us organize the multiple settings and time frames pictured in the myriad of studies published during the few first months of the pandemic. Finally, to our knowledge, the chart was not yet tested as a tool in detecting duplication in systematic reviews or meta-analysis of RCTs.

Eventually, our interest to better understand case duplications and how they could impact results actually converted us into true detectives, a feeling endorsed by other authors when they stated that researches may be doing a “detective work” while extracting data for a systematic review [ 44 ].

The COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to a wave of (maybe) unintended double reporting, in an effort to understand the new disease. Double reporting can do more harm than good if it not expressly stated. The Gantt chart may help researchers in ascertaining possible overlap of individual cases, of case series, and, perhaps, even of randomized controlled trials.

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Milena Flessas for the help in creating the Gantt charts, the Fundo de Incentivo à Pesquisa (FIPE) — Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, for helping with the English review, performed by Tikinet, and with publication fees. We are very, very grateful to the authors who answered our emails. Their additional information was essential to perform the prior meta-analysis and to adequately plot the Gantt chart.

Authors’ contributions

VNH and AJR were responsible for conception of the study; all authors (AJR, VNH, VKG, MLRO) contributed to planning, carrying out, analyzing, and writing up the manuscript. The authors read and approved the final manuscript.

This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sector.

Availability of data and materials

Declarations.

This is a secondary analysis of data obtained for a systematic review [ 7 ]. The review project was approved on 18 August 2020 by the Research Ethics Committee of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil (CAAE 35017020600005327), under number 2020-0382. The original systematic review was carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations [ 8 , 9 ]. We have not personally included any patient in the present study, nor in the original review, and data were collected from published studies (references in Additional file 1 ). Thus, informed consent form was not deemed necessary. Studies encompassed in the present manuscript were published in 2020, and many of them were included in our systematic review.

Not applicable

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Gantt Chart Research Proposal

The #YouOnlyLiveOnce mindset thrives in the spirit of spontaneity and adventure. Although it can be fun, #YOLO will spell disaster outside the party scene. It is a terrible career and life advice that is equivalent to flushing your time and resources down the toilet. Smart and strategic project planning is the spine of every successful academic or business undertaking. Whether you are a student or a professional, you will benefit from mapping out your projects with Gantt charts and other progress-tracking illustrations. We have prepared the following pointers that will help you on your next big move.

21+ Gantt Chart Research Proposal Templates

Gantt charts are a useful productivity apparatus for project management. They are a bar chart derivative for task scheduling and progress tracking. The user plots the activity progress along the y-axis, with respect to the indicated time on the x-axis. The leftmost column contains the list of tasks while the top row displays project dates in uniform intervals. This chart is useful in visualizing the schedule of activities for your research proposals . When you use Gantt charts, you can monitor if your project goals are in sync with the actual work timeline.

1. Restaurant Gantt Chart Template

Google Docs
Google Sheets

Size: A4 & US Letter Sizes

You see the potential of a trend in increasing the revenue for your restaurant. How do you convince the management that your plan will work? Other than persuasive and well-researched content, your market research plan should contain a feasible work timetable. A realistic schedule of activities ensures that your proposed project is not just theoretical and that investing in it would not be a waste of resources. A Gantt chart works best for project timelines because it makes the project’s progress easy to monitor and relay. Add this template to your market research proposal!

2. Free Excel Gantt Chart Template

Free Excel Gantt Chart Template 440x570 1

Size: A4 & US Sizes

The early Gantt charts were successful even before computers became mainstream in offices. Back then, you had to draw the charts manually. This means that when there would be revisions to the project proposals , you are required to recreate the entire diagram. The success of Gantt charts would not have survived the rigors of modern workspaces if there was no computer program for them. Fortunately, we have programs like Microsoft Excel and Apple Numbers where we can amend details without scrapping the entire chart. Get this free Gantt chart template now!

3. Free Progress Gantt chart with Events Template

Progress Gantt chart with Events Template 440x570 1

There would be times that our project advisers would need a quick update on the progress of our research study. Give them a fast rundown of the development with this Gantt chart template! It gives a quick overview of the pace of the activities through percentage. It has a simple interface simple and is easy to navigate. You can also use this template when you’re presenting the progress of a specific task and its subtasks. Are you worried that adding a new activity might overlap with your previous assignments? Avoid that with this downloadable template!

4. Free Yearly Project Management Gantt Chart Template

Yearly Project Management Gantt Chart Template 440x570 1

Research, especially when it is an individual project, will challenge a person’s organization and project management competence. You will need to complete one task before you can proceed to another in your methodology . If you lag on one of your tasks, there will be a domino effect, and you will fall behind schedule. Even though some research studies can take a whole year or more, people usually find themselves short of time. Do not fall prey to this by being committing to a realistic schedule. Get started with this yearly Gantt chart template!

5. Free Sales Activity Gantt Chart Template

Free Sales Activity Gantt Chart Template 440x570 1

Instead of just plotting your research activity progress with respect to project dates, you can also monitor how much of the work is done! Although this is a sales activity template, you can use the same format for your research proposal . Each task is listed in the first column, while the percentage measures the amount of work done. With this monitoring format, you can picture the development of your research and the momentum of the activities. Boost your productivity with this free Gantt chart template now!

6. Free Marketing Plan Chart Template

With this Gantt chart template, make sure that you don’t fall behind your target deadlines again! The layout is specific down to the weeks of the month. You will be able to indicate at which week your research team started and completed the task. Did you hit the time allotted for each activity? The expected duration is placed next to the activity column for reference. You can use this template to present the schedule of events in your research proposal. The best part is that unlike other charts, you can keep updating this timeline during the entire project!

7. Free Basic Gantt Chart Template

Free Basic Gantt Chart Template 440x570 1

The construction of the Hoover Dam started in 1931 and finished ahead of schedule. During the planning and construction, engineers referred to Gantt charts to keep track of the progress. Today, the charts are useful in different fields that need progress-tracking and project forecasts. It is helpful in your research proposals because you can define the timeline of your research as well as continually update the document for revisions. It is a reliable organization tool that you shouldn’t be sleeping on. Make use of such convenience in your research proposal with this template!

8. Free Monthly Gantt Chart Template

Free Monthly Gantt Chart Template 440x570 1

Gantt charts are an indispensable tool for project management. It gives you a birds-eye view of the entire research progress. Are you running out of time? Which of the following tasks can you adjust the schedule for? You can refer to it when you need to add or modify the activities. Monitor your progress better from start to end with this editable template! The design looks professional, and it won’t clash with the formality of your document. The landscape orientation lets you include more details into your timetable.

9. Research Proposal Gantt Chart Template

Size: 35 KB

10. Qualitative Research Proposal Gantt Chart Template

Qualitative Research Proposal Gantt Chart Template1

Size: 42 KB

11. Research Proposal Timeline Gantt Chart Template

Size: 38 KB

12. Nursing Research Gantt Chart Template

Size: 34 KB

13. Marketing Research Gantt Chart Template

14. Thesis Proposal Gantt Chart Template

Size: 30 KB

15. Sample Proposal Gantt Chart Template

Size: 37 KB

16. Medical Research Gantt Chart Template

17. Dissertation Research Gantt Chart Template

Size: 43 KB

18. Dissertation Proposal Gantt Chart Template

19. Business Research Gantt Chart Template

Size: 33 KB

20. Ph.D. Plan Gantt Chart

Size: 630 KB

Gantt charts are being used in doctoral dissertations as well. The attached PDF file is an example of a research timeline of a Ph.D. candidate. Most Gantt charts are in a landscape format to accommodate more content. The proponent structured his semestral schedule of activities in a monthly-basis. The designation of each main goal with different colors is smart. The chart shows that the proponent performed various activities under different goals per semester. Without a physical map, it is hard to picture the progress of his tasks. Like this Ph.D. candidate, organize your research endeavors with a Gantt chart!

21. Survey Planning Gantt Chart Sample

DPI Research Methods Session 2 Survey Planning Gantt Chart 508 2

Size: 262 KB

Surveys are one of the effective methods of obtaining relevant information to answer queries. Despite its practicality and capacity to provide reliable data, the method isn’t a one-step process. You wouldn’t want to spend your resources on information that isn’t worth its price. You have to make sure that you get the right answers. You have to test the survey design first to a few people. Then there is still data analysis and report of findings. Is this method suitable for your research given the time available? Gain a reliable foresight by including a Gantt chart for your research proposal! Refer to this sample chart for guidance!

22. Task Gantt Chart Template

Size: 286 KB

A crammed research paper is not a good research paper . In the academe, students are given due dates to fulfill parts or sections of their thesis. Manage your deadlines well by tabulate your tasks and progress. By doing so, you can budget your time and adjust your working pace. Supplement your school hustle with a Gantt chart! It can be as straightforward as this sample, but its rewards on your scholastic performance are priceless!

Proposal Maker

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Compose a proposal for a school field trip to a science museum.

How to Create and Use a Gantt Chart for PhD Studies

A Gantt chart is a common tool used in the project management field. It is used for schedule planning of a project and its tasks and activities. It shows the tasks, their start and end dates, and the duration needed to complete them.

A PhD is a project and may last from as few as three years to as long as six years depending on the university and department a student is enrolled in.

In order to successfully complete a PhD program, one needs to plan when each of the tasks will be completed from the word go. A Gantt chart is very useful in doing this.

A PhD student can create one comprehensive Gantt chart or several smaller Gantt charts for each of the major deliverables.

This article discusses a Gantt chart for a general PhD program that has both coursework and dissertation components.

Benefits of a Gantt chart for planning PhD studies

Steps involved in creating a gantt chart for phd studies, how to effectively use the phd gantt chart, final thoughts on the phd gantt chart.

Creating a Gantt chart at the beginning of PhD studies has the following benefits:

It is easy to create. A student can use the traditional pen-and-paper method or existing digital tools or softwares to create a Gantt chart.
It is easy to read. The visual presentation of the Gantt chart makes it easy for the student to read and know what is expected of him at any point in time.
A Gantt chart makes it easy to monitor progress of PhD studies. The user can choose to use different colors for tasks that have already been completed, tasks that are close to completion, and tasks that require more time and effort to complete.
It forms the basis for monthly, weekly, and daily planning of the PhD studies. Depending on how detailed a student wants to go in terms of planning, the Gantt chart comes in handy when writing out the monthly, weekly and even daily plans.

Step 1: List all the deliverables expected of your PhD program. In this example, the PhD program has the following requirements:

Coursework, divided into 4 modules each lasting 2 weeks. All 4 modules need to be completed within the first year of study.
A comprehensive written exam at the end of the fourth module.
An oral exam once a student passes the written exam.
Submission of a concept note.
Submission of a research proposal once a student passes the oral exam.
Writing a business management case study.
Three journal papers.
At least two conference papers.
A dissertation.

Step 2: For each of the requirements listed above, note the start and end dates. For the above example, the PhD program lasts a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years. Assuming the minimum of 3 years (beginning January 2021), the activities’ start and end dates are as follows:

Step 3: Using the above information, create the Gantt chart using Microsoft Word, Powerpoint or Excel.

The following are useful resources for creating a Gantt chart using:

Microsoft Powerpoint: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp0vr6OkW8Y
Microsoft Excel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00s5efQWrgU&t=10s
Microsoft Word: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F90RdA5X4G0

The Gantt chart created from the above data is shown below. The chart was created using Microsoft Powerpoint.

Step 4: Once the Gantt chart is complete, print it out and hang it on the wall of your study room/area. This serves as a constant reminder of the tasks that need to be done at any point in time, as well as of the progress that has been made so far.

The greatest strength in using the Gantt chart for PhD studies lies in its ability to help one plan ahead. Using the Gantt chart above as an example, the user can plan as follows:

At the beginning of every month, look at what is required of you. For instance, the student above needs to complete module one of the coursework and at the same time start working on proposal writing.

The student can plan for module one in advance by going through the course structure and expected readings, and reading in advance before the start of the module so that he is able to follow and understand what is being taught. If there are pre- and post-module exams, the student can also prepare for them in advance.

Preliminary tasks for proposal writing can include: discussing your proposed topic with your supervisor, and searching for and quick review of literature to identify the gap that your topic will be addressing. All these can be done in the first month before the actual proposal writing starts.

The Gantt chart can help you identify the skills that are required for the successful completion of your dissertation. For instance, the student above is expected to write a Business Management case study by June of year 2.

If the student does not have case study writing skills, he can start looking for courses that teach case study writing and complete them way before the deadline for the case study. Same case for skills such as preparing and writing a journal paper, writing a conference paper, data analysis using softwares such as Stata, SPSS, NVivo etc.

The Gantt chart can help you plan for academic-related events such as conferences.

In the example provided above, the student is expected to attend two scientific conferences (in November of year 2 and March of year 3) and make presentations.

The student can start looking for conferences related to his field that are held during the proposed times and mark the key dates and requirements of the conferences (for instance, abstract submission deadlines, abstract submission guidelines, registration deadlines etc).

The Gantt chart can help you create monthly and weekly plans for longer tasks such as proposal writing.

In the above sample Gantt chart, proposal writing and defense spans a period of 15 months. By March of the second year, the student is expected to defend his proposal. This may seem like such a long period of time but in reality it is not. This is because it is not the only task that the student will undertake during this period. As a result, it is easier to focus on the tasks at hand and forget about the tasks that seem to have adequate time.

Proposal writing is a daunting task and requires constant reading and updating. To ensure that the student submits his proposal in time, he can create monthly and weekly plans for the task. An example of monthly planning for the proposal writing is provided in the table below:

The monthly plan is based on assumptions, for instance, that the supervisor will review the document within the scheduled timeframe. This may or may not hold, depending on the supervisor.

It is therefore important to allow ample time for such factors that are out of your own control in order to ensure that the task is completed by the deadline.

The monthly plans can further be broken down into weekly (and even daily) plans, for instance:

Number of papers to read per week (day).
Number of words to write per week (day).
How many citations and bibliographies to insert (update) every week (day).
Number of additional articles to search and add to your library each week etc.

Each of these tasks contributes to the overall proposal writing and make the task completion easier and faster than waiting for the last few months to do it all at once.

A PhD is a medium- to long-term project depending on how long it takes to finish. It therefore requires effective and careful planning from the start of the program to ensure that each deliverable is completed within the stipulated time. The Gantt chart is an easy-to-create, and easy-to-use planning tool that can be used by all PhD students. Not only does it save the student time but it also gives him peace of mind knowing the progress of each and every task required.

Grace Njeri-Otieno

Grace Njeri-Otieno is a Kenyan, a wife, a mom, and currently a PhD student, among many other balls she juggles. She holds a Bachelors' and Masters' degrees in Economics and has more than 7 years' experience with an INGO. She was inspired to start this site so as to share the lessons learned throughout her PhD journey with other PhD students. Her vision for this site is "to become a go-to resource center for PhD students in all their spheres of learning."

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Qualitative Research Proposal Gantt Chart Template

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As a qualitative researcher, planning and organizing your research activities can be a daunting task. But fear not! ClickUp's Qualitative Research Proposal Gantt Chart Template is here to make your life easier.

With this template, you can:

Efficiently map out your research timeline, from literature review to report writing
Schedule and allocate time for data collection, analysis, and interpretation
Ensure that each task is completed on time, preventing any delays in your research project

No more scrambling to meet deadlines or feeling overwhelmed by the research process. ClickUp's Gantt chart template will help you stay on track and smoothly navigate your qualitative research journey. Start planning today!

Benefits of Qualitative Research Proposal Gantt Chart Template

Planning and managing a qualitative research project can be a daunting task, but with the Qualitative Research Proposal Gantt Chart Template, you can streamline the process and achieve success. Here are some benefits of using this template:

Visualize the timeline of your research project, allowing you to easily track progress and deadlines
Identify dependencies between different research activities, ensuring a smooth flow and efficient use of resources
Allocate resources effectively by assigning tasks and responsibilities to team members
Communicate project milestones and deliverables with stakeholders, ensuring everyone is on the same page and informed about project progress

Main Elements of Qualitative Research Proposal Gantt Chart Template

ClickUp's Qualitative Research Proposal Gantt Chart template provides an efficient way to plan and execute your qualitative research projects.

Key elements of this template include:

Custom Statuses: Track the progress of your research tasks with statuses like Complete, In Progress, and To Do, ensuring that all project phases are accounted for and easily managed.
Custom Fields: Utilize custom fields such as Project Phase, Project Progress, and Attachment to capture and organize important information related to your research proposal, ensuring that all relevant details are readily available.
Different Views: Access multiple views to visualize your project timeline and progress. The Project Gantt view allows you to create a comprehensive Gantt chart, the Project Plan view provides a detailed overview of the project, and the Template Guide view offers a helpful guide to assist you in utilizing the template effectively.

How to Use Gantt Chart for Qualitative Research Proposal

Putting together a project timeline can be a complex task, but with the help of the Gantt Chart template in ClickUp, you can easily create a comprehensive timeline that keeps everyone on track. Follow these {{Steps_Random #}} steps to effectively use the Gantt Chart template:

1. Define your project tasks

Start by listing all the tasks that need to be completed for your project. Break them down into smaller, more manageable tasks to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Use tasks in ClickUp to create a detailed list of project tasks, assign them to team members, and set due dates.

2. Determine task dependencies

Identify any tasks that are dependent on one another and establish the order in which they need to be completed. This will help you visualize the flow of your project and ensure that tasks are completed in the correct sequence.

Use task dependencies in ClickUp to link tasks together and create a clear visual representation of the project timeline.

3. Assign task durations

Estimate the amount of time each task will take to complete. Consider factors such as resources, team availability, and any potential obstacles that may arise. Assign realistic durations to each task to create a more accurate timeline.

Use custom fields in ClickUp to track and assign durations to each task.

4. Set milestones

Identify key milestones or deadlines throughout your project. These are major accomplishments or events that mark important progress points. Setting milestones will help you track the overall progress of your project and ensure that it stays on schedule.

Use milestones in ClickUp to mark important points in your project timeline and track progress towards your goals.

5. Monitor and update

Regularly monitor your project timeline and update it as tasks are completed or new tasks arise. Keep an eye on any changes or delays that may impact the overall timeline and make adjustments accordingly.

Use the Gantt Chart view in ClickUp to easily visualize your project timeline, track progress, and make necessary updates.

6. Communicate and collaborate

Share your project timeline with team members and stakeholders to ensure everyone is on the same page. Collaborate on the Gantt Chart to discuss any changes, updates, or potential issues that may arise during the project.

Use the Comments and @mentions features in ClickUp to facilitate communication and collaboration within the project timeline.

Get Started with ClickUp’s Qualitative Research Proposal Gantt Chart Template

Qualitative researchers can use the Qualitative Research Proposal Gantt Chart Template to effectively plan and schedule their research activities.

First, hit “Add Template” to sign up for ClickUp and add the template to your Workspace. Make sure you designate which Space or location in your Workspace you’d like this template applied.

Next, invite relevant members or guests to your Workspace to start collaborating.

Now you can take advantage of the full potential of this template to plan your research project:

Use the Project Gantt View to visualize and manage your research timeline
The Project Plan View will help you outline and organize your research activities
Use the Template Guide View to access a guide that provides best practices and tips for using the Gantt chart effectively
Organize tasks into three different statuses: Complete, In Progress, To Do, to keep track of progress
Update statuses as you complete each research activity to stay organized and on track
Monitor and analyze your progress to ensure timely completion of your research project

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13+ SAMPLE Gantt Chart Research Proposal in PDF | Excel

Gantt Chart Research Proposal | Excel

13+ sample gantt chart research proposal, what is a gantt chart research proposal, different uses of gantt charts, basic components of a gantt chart research proposal , how to write a gantt chart research proposal, what are some examples of a gantt chart research proposal, why is a gantt chart useful, what are the essential components of a gantt chart, what are the advantages and disadvantages of gantt charts.

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1. business plan, 2. design project, 3. event planning, 4. software development, 5. social media, step 1: create a compelling cover page , step 2: identify the research problem, goals, objectives and desired outcomes, step 3: demonstrate the research activities and plans using a gantt chart, step 4: indicate the value, budget and other components of the research project, step 5: prepare the final draft, share this post on your network, file formats, word templates, google docs templates, excel templates, powerpoint templates, google sheets templates, google slides templates, pdf templates, publisher templates, psd templates, indesign templates, illustrator templates, pages templates, keynote templates, numbers templates, outlook templates, you may also like these articles, 25+ sample construction company proposal in ms word.

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Gantt Chart for Dissertation – Important Ingredient for Dissertation Success

Published by Ellie Cross at January 26th, 2023 , Revised On October 9, 2023

A dissertation is an important part of academic life. You may have spent a lot of time thinking about it, researching it, and writing it. And because of that, you want to put your best foot forward.

You want to make sure that your dissertation is well-organized, easy to read, and compelling. One way you can do this is by using a Gantt chart for your dissertation.

Gantt Chart for Dissertation

The Gantt chart is one of the most important and useful tools for dissertation writing or even in project management. It enables the planner to develop a detailed schedule showing all the planned work, activities, milestones, and deliverables.

The Gantt chart is not just a simple table with dates, but it is a graphical representation of a project plan that can be used to show relationships between tasks. For example, the Gantt chart shows when something has to be done and how long it takes to finish this task. It also shows how long other tasks take before they can start or after they are completed.

The basic concept behind the Gantt chart is that there must be sufficient time allocated for each task within a given time scale so that there is no interference between different tasks being carried out simultaneously by students.

With the help of a research Gantt chart , you can create a visual roadmap that shows how your project will be completed. This is especially important when you have many tasks to complete.

When Using a Gantt Chart for a Dissertation?

Gantt charts are really helpful for project management. It is often used in business management, engineering and construction, software development, and other fields where projects must be managed.

Sometimes, it is possible to use these charts even if there are no deadlines set for your tasks. This can be useful if you want to understand how much time different types of activities take and how they affect each other.

We use them because they help us visualize our workload and plan our resources accordingly:

They help us see which activities depend on each other so we can better coordinate them.
They allow us to see what parts of our project are delayed easily.
They show whether or not we have enough resources at our disposal.
They help us decide when we should reschedule some activities if necessary.

How Can ResearchProspect Help?

ResearchProspect writers can send several custom topic ideas to your email address. Once you have chosen a topic that suits your needs and interests, you can order for our dissertation outline service which will include a brief introduction to the topic, research questions , literature review , methodology , expected results , and conclusion . The dissertation outline will enable you to review the quality of our work before placing the order for our full dissertation writing service!

How to Create a Gantt Chart

Creating a Gantt chart for a dissertation is simple. First, you need to enter your task names, durations, and start dates into an Excel spreadsheet and then use the built-in tools to insert a Gantt chart. There are the following steps:

Start with a blank Gantt chart and customize it according to your needs.
Add tasks in the form of boxes that represent activities in your project plan. If more than one person is involved in an activity, add lines between them for each step in the process.
Add resources (people or equipment) by clicking on the “Resources” tab at the top of the page, selecting from a drop-down menu, or typing in a name manually if you know it already. You can also search for specific names from here if needed and assign resources to tasks by clicking on them once they’ve been added.
Use different colours for each task or phase of your project. This makes it easy to see at a glance whether each phase is on track or behind schedule.

Dissertation Planning Template

You can plan your dissertation with the dissertation planning template. This is not a strict structure. It is just a guide. You can adapt it to suit your needs as long as you clearly understand what you want to achieve before you start writing.

The Dissertation Planning Template has Five Main Sections:

Introduction – and overview of the problem and why it is important.

Research question(s) – clearly defined research questions will be investigated during the project.

Objectives – specific objectives that need to be met to achieve the research goals. These may include several smaller objectives (e.g., data collection methods).

Literature review – an analysis of existing literature related to your topic and any gaps in understanding. This section should also include any relevant theory (e.g., theories from other disciplines) and methodologies used within those disciplines which could be applied to your project (if applicable).

Methodology – an outline of how you will address each research objective in relation to your chosen methodology.

Why Choose a Dissertation Gantt Chart Template?

There are many reasons why you would want to use a Gantt chart for a dissertation template rather than creating one yourself:

They Save Time

Creating a dissertation Gantt chart takes time, effort, and knowledge using Microsoft Excel or PowerPoint software. Therefore, you may find it easier to use an existing template instead of creating one from scratch if you do not have much experience with these programs.

They Look Professional

Gantt chart templates will make your final presentation look more professional using the best dissertation.

Gantt Charts Help Prevent Problems from Arising.

By using a Gantt chart template, you can spot potential problems before they arise. Such as missing deadlines or conflicting tasks and taking action immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a gantt chart for a dissertation.

A Gantt Chart for a dissertation is a visual timeline that outlines the research tasks, milestones, and deadlines. It helps students plan and manage their dissertation projects efficiently.

Gantt Charts

First Online: 17 May 2024

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Francesco Bianconi 2

Gantt charts are one of the most common tools for graphic communication in project management. Named after American engineer Henry L. Gantt (1861–1919), Gantt charts are essentially bar charts in which the bars represent activities (tasks) in a process. In the typical layout the bars are plotted horizontally with the x -axis representing time, while the left of the chart reports the names of the tasks. The initial and final positions of each bar reflect the start and end dates of the activity; hence the length of the bar is proportional to the amount of time required to complete that task. A Gantt chart can optionally show the activities grouped into phases. The chapter provides examples of Gantt charts with activities alone as well as with phases and activities.

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Kerzner H (2003) Project management. A systems approach to planning, scheduling and controlling, 8th edn. Wiley, Hoboken

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Dipartimento di Ingeneria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy

Francesco Bianconi

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Bianconi, F. (2024). Gantt Charts. In: Data and Process Visualisation for Graphic Communication. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-57051-3_13

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A Gantt chart is a form of bar chart illustrating a schedule of a project . It has been named after its inventor, Henry Gantt, who designed such a chart around 1910–1915. Some modern Gantt charts also display the relation of dependence between the current status of the schedule and related activities. In other words, the chart illustrates the project’s breakdown structure by showing the start and finish dates as well as different relationships between project activities, helping you monitor the duties against their designated time or predetermined milestones.

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Step 1: Make a Project Table

Step 2: make a bar chart, step 3: add data, step 4: add task descriptions, step 5: transform the chart into the gantt chart, more in proposal templates, example business gantt chart template, gantt bar chart template, gantt chart work schedule template, gantt timeline chart template, website gantt chart template, wbs gantt chart template, research gantt chart template, dissertation gantt chart template, hr kpi dashboard template, project dashboard template.

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Gantt Chart for a Research Project Proposal: Step-by-step guide
The 'Proposal Submission' milestone, set for May 15, 2024, marks the conclusive stage, signifying the submission of the crafted and refined research proposal for evaluation and potential implementation. Hurray, You Did It! And there you have it! Your Research Project Proposal Gantt Chart is now complete. Make your own Gantt chart in Gleek.
How to write a Research Proposal: Creating a Gantt chart
Some University departments require students to create a Gantt chart to represent a schedule for the research project. The Gantt chart shows the timelines of the various steps of the project including their dependencies and any resources needed.In other words, the chart depicts when an event is supposed to take place in your project by providing an outline regarding the order in which the ...
Creating a Gantt Chart for Your Research Project Proposal
Having grasped the power of Gantt charts and the functionalities offered by Rework.com, let's embark on the exciting journey of building your research proposal Gantt chart! Here's a step-by-step guide to navigate the process: 1. Define Your Research Goals. This initial step lays the foundation for your entire project.
Gantt Chart Research Proposal Template: A Comprehensive Guide + Free
A Comprehensive Guide to Gantt Chart Research Proposal Template. As a researcher, one of the essential tools in my arsenal is a well-crafted and organized research proposal.However, I often found that traditional proposal formats lacked a clear and visual representation of the project timeline and tasks. That's why I turned to Gantt Chart Research Proposal Templates.
How to use a Gantt chart for a research project
You can create a Gantt chart in Microsoft Word by: Opening a new Word document. Change the document orientation from vertical to horizontal. Insert a bar graph into your document. Make format alterations as necessary to make the graph look like a Gantt chart. Insert information and customize as necessary.
A Guide for Using Gantt Chart for Research Project
Step 6: Share Your Proposal and Gantt Chart. Share your research proposal and Gantt chart with your advisor, committee members, or anyone involved in your project. Their feedback can be invaluable in refining your plan and ensuring its feasibility. With your research proposal and Gantt chart in hand, you're ready to embark on your research project.
How to make a simple Gantt chart
Draft key elements: about 1 week each. Testing: about 1 week each, but can start organising as soon as first element is drafted. Write up: 2 months. Final report: no time, really - just need to find a time to meet. Generally, I use weeks to estimate time. Anything that takes less than a week I round off to a week.
How to Create a Gantt Chart for Research Project/Thesis in Excel
This tutorial covers how to create a Gantt chart from start to finish. Feel free to ask any questions or leave a comment. Check out more resources on our blo...
The Ultimate Gantt Chart Guide for Academic Research ...
Optimizing the Use of Gantt Charts. To maximize the benefits of using Gantt charts in academic research, consider the following tips: Regular Monitoring and Updating: Keep the Gantt chart updated with the latest information on task progress, deadlines, or unforeseen challenges. This will ensure that the Gantt chart accurately represents the ...
How to prepare a Research Proposal
Gantt chart: A Gantt chart is an overview of tasks/proposed activities and a time frame for the same. You put weeks, days or months at one side, and the tasks at the other. You draw fat lines to indicate the period the task will be performed to give a timeline for your research study (take help of tutorial on youtube). 11
Creating awesome Gantt charts for your PhD timeline
A Gantt chart is a visual representation of a project schedule and a widely used tool in project management. Gantt charts belong to the family of bar charts. In a Gantt chart, bars depict different project tasks. The length of each bar is proportionate to the task duration and indicates both start and finish dates.
Gantt Chart Templates for Research Project Proposals
The Project Roadmap Gantt Chart Template by ClickUp is a must-have for any research proposal. This simple, clear template allows you to map out the entire project from start to finish in an easy-to-follow format. With this template, it's easy to visualize tasks and deadlines, resources required and dependencies between tasks.
PDF Gantt Chart Example
A Gantt chart is a great way to visually "explain" your project timeline in a grant proposal. This may be called a "Project Timeline" or "Project Schedule" in a proposal. ... Research Center B. ONLINE PRESENCE Create project website by January 10, 2011. It will be updated continuously throughout the grant period.
Surgery and Research: A Practical Approach to Managing the Research
In addition to serving as a planning tool, the Gantt chart provides us with an effective way to communicate timelines to teams and relevant stakeholders. Importantly, Gantt charts can be easily created in Excel® or other third-party programs like Smartsheet®, transferred to an email or Microsoft PowerPoint®, and disseminated. The chart is an ...
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That's where ClickUp's Master Research Proposal Gantt Chart Template comes to the rescue! This Gantt chart template empowers graduate students to: Break down their research proposal into manageable tasks and milestones. Visualize the timeline and dependencies of each research activity. Track progress and ensure timely completion of all project ...
Exploring the Gantt chart as a tool to highlight double report in case
The Gantt chart differs from a conventional bar chart because time can be included as a variable; this allows researchers to visualize the time span of enrollment or duration of each study. The Gantt chart data were drawn from a spreadsheet; the insertion of initial and final dates of participants' enrollment in each study generated a bar at ...
Gantt Chart Research Proposal
21+ Gantt Chart Research Proposal Templates. Gantt charts are a useful productivity apparatus for project management. They are a bar chart derivative for task scheduling and progress tracking. The user plots the activity progress along the y-axis, with respect to the indicated time on the x-axis. The leftmost column contains the list of tasks ...
How to Create and Use a Gantt Chart for PhD Studies
Submission of a research proposal once a student passes the oral exam. Writing a business management case study. Three journal papers. At least two conference papers. A dissertation. ... In the above sample Gantt chart, proposal writing and defense spans a period of 15 months. By March of the second year, the student is expected to defend his ...
Qualitative Research Proposal Gantt Chart Template
ClickUp's Qualitative Research Proposal Gantt Chart Template is here to make your life easier. With this template, you can: Efficiently map out your research timeline, from literature review to report writing. Schedule and allocate time for data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Ensure that each task is completed on time, preventing any ...
13+ SAMPLE Gantt Chart Research Proposal in PDF
What is a Gantt Chart Research Proposal? A Gantt chart research proposal is a compelling and well-detailed written document which is submitted in order to send a request to prospects such as project managers, operations managers, and other business professionals in companies and organizations with a clear intention of using a Gantt chart timeline for managing and monitoring a certain research ...
Gantt Chart for Dissertation
The Gantt chart is one of the most important and useful tools for dissertation writing or even in project management. It enables the planner to develop a detailed schedule showing all the planned work, activities, milestones, and deliverables. The Gantt chart is not just a simple table with dates, but it is a graphical representation of a ...
Gantt charts revisited: A critical analysis of its roots and
The Gantt chart was developed in the early twentieth century, at the heart of Scientific Management; yet, the chart is used with very little adaptation across a wide range of types of projects ...
Gantt Charts
Gantt charts are one of the most common tools for graphic communication in project management. Named after American engineer Henry L. Gantt (1861-1919), Gantt charts are essentially bar charts in which the bars represent activities (tasks) in a process. In the...
13+ Gantt Chart Research Proposal Templates in PDF
13+ Gantt Chart Research Proposal Templates in PDF | MS Word. A Gantt chart is a form of bar chart illustrating a schedule of a project. It has been named after its inventor, Henry Gantt, who designed such a chart around 1910-1915. Some modern Gantt charts also display the relation of dependence between the current status of the schedule and ...
44 Types of Graphs & Charts [& How to Choose the Best One]
Gantt charts are special types of bar graphs used to diagram projects and schedules. The use of colored bars of varying lengths reflect not only a project's start and end dates, but also important events, tasks, milestones and their timeframes. Modern Gantt charts can also illustrate activities' dependency relationships.
Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 97 (Friday, May 17, 2024)
Finally, the report also requests: (1) a discussion of progresses highlighting key technical and commercial activity/results during the reporting period, (2) compliance requirements checklists from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and NSF, and (3) a Gantt chart describing the project status, as well as task assignments to key personnel ...