The Gantt charts are an essential tool for efficient project management of various types. Thanks to this resource, among other aspects, you will be able to have a global conception of the dimension of the project in front of you.
The Gantt charts will allow thorough conduct planning of all tasks to be executed during the development of a project and the period of time required to perform them. This tool gives you the possibility to visualize, control, and give adequate follow-up to all the work development phases.
During the project execution period, each task can be assigned a rectangular block to track its progress. In this way, you will have a more accurate notion of the time remaining for delivery. Likewise, it is recommended that you use a different color for all those critical tasks or have a high degree of importance. Here we will also cover the importance of milestones in managing projects and tasks in gantt chart.
Segments of the Gantt chart
The basic elements that a Gantt chart contains are the following:
Dates
This element is essential for you to have a more accurate idea of the time you need to undertake a certain project.
Tasks
In this feature you can include, in the general planning, both the macro tasks and the micro-tasks that you must execute. Therefore, the review and control actions of the activities are facilitated to guarantee that they are carried out in a timely manner.
Time periods
The diagram shows the duration of the tasks, as well as the precise moment in which you must start their execution or finish it. This ensures that the project is completed in the planned time.
Interdependent tasks
Some of the tasks do not depend on the completion of others for their start, so they can be scheduled at any stage of the project. However, there are others that have a high correlation and interdependence. You can indicate this correspondence on the Gantt chart.
Progress
The diagram shows an overview of the degree of completeness of the project. It establishes the tasks that have been completed, as well as those that are running and those that are scheduled for the future.
In this way, you can quickly know the number of tasks completed to complete the project, if the planning carried out has been respected and if it can be completed in the scheduled time.
Advantages of using Gantt charts in project management
The use of the Gantt chart for project management brings you multiple advantages; among them, you can find the following:
Simplicity
The true power of the Gantt chart is in visualizing the deadlines for each task. You will see very clearly what is important and what is not.
Being so easy to understand, it summarizes the key aspects so that all team members understand the project workflow, globally.
Provides organizational data
You have access to an overview of the project, which contains all the tasks, subtasks, and development time. You also have the option of knowing who is responsible for its execution. This facilitates the visualization of the activities and personnel involved in the project.
Communication between team members
That at all times, they will be able to access the general view of the project, where its progress is shown. Using the Gantt chart helps you quickly and easily update the status of tasks and the project. Likewise, it allows you to replace some meetings.
The collaboration of project members
Having access to the real status of the project makes those involved in the development more aware of the tasks assigned to them and their dependence on the rest; This contributes to increased performance and adaptation to project needs, minimizing the number of delays recorded.
Time management
You can indicate real-time periods, so this planning tool contributes to efficiently taking advantage of the institution’s resources, without damaging or overlapping the time of completion of projects.
Flexible changes or modifications
It gives you the possibility of making an adequate adjustment of the tasks and the resources assigned for their execution; in case of unexpected changes in the scope of the project or in the delivery times.
In short, a Gantt chart is very useful for planning and controlling the execution of the tasks of a given project. With this instrument, you will have an enlarged view of them, as well as the resources involved in their execution. This tool helps to improve communication between the members of the development team and favors the improvement of the performance of the workers.
In short, Gantt charts will be very useful in your Project Management. They will help you properly manage projects of a different nature in any sector you work as a professional. Learn how to use them in your master’s degree in project management.
