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Get organized with Gantt chart templates

Gantt charts give you a visual timeline of the steps in your project, and they've never been easier to put together than with these templates. with just a glance, you'll know exactly when and how things will come together, and these templates will be just the beginning of your journey to a successful, well-run project..

Let these Gantt chart templates guide your success

Let these customizable Gantt chart templates help your business see into the future. This staple of project planning just got easier to outline with templates where all you need to do is bring your parameters and yourself to get started. A Gantt chart is the ideal tool to coordinate groups of people and simultaneous goals and keep all aspects of a plan moving when they're supposed to. With these easy-to-use templates, your Gantt chart can be as colorful and as detailed as your organized heart desires. Make sure everything's going smoothly for your grand opening by know exactly what you have to do and when you have to do it. Or, add a compelling visual to a presentation by laying out the various elements of your project in a comprehensive yet comprehendible way. Dive into timelines and deliverables and let the planning stage of your project be the easy part—a Gantt chart is your business's new best friend.

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11 Gantt Chart Examples For Project Management

By Bronwyn Kienapple , May 10, 2023

Your team members are constantly sending you Slack messages asking you to remind them of deadlines.

Your client won’t stop emailing you, asking who’s responsible for what part of the project, and when.

And your subcontractor is texting you incessantly about her start date.

Stop the communication madness and make a Gantt chart .

A Gantt chart lets you communicate your project timeline visually in an easy-to-understand way.

Everyone’s in the loop, so you can get work done faster and easier.

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

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

Click to jump ahead :

What is a gantt chart, gantt chart examples .

• Why Is a Gantt Chart Important?

Benefits of Using a Gantt Chart

What are the parts of a gantt chart.

• How To Make a Gantt Chart

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

Here’s a Gantt chart example:

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

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

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

Here’s another example:

In short, a Gantt chart shows:

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

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

1. Gantt charts for project management

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Project management: simplified.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. Gantt Charts for Construction

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

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

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

You can edit the Gantt chart as the project progresses.

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

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

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

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

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

3. Gantt Chart Example for Project Proposals

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. Gantt Chart Example for Business Plans

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

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

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

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

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

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

5. Gantt Chart Example for Consultants

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why is a Gantt Chart Important?

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

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

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

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

And no one wants that.

The benefits of a Gantt chart include:

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

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

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

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

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

Industries that can benefit from Gantt charts include:

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Gantt chart only has three main parts:

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

Take a look at this simple Gantt chart example:

Not intimidating at all.

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

Of course, more complex projects require more complex Gantt charts.

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

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

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

How to Make a Gantt Chart

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

1. Choose a Template

Choices, choices. Open our Gantt chart templates gallery .

Then, select the template for you by:

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

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

2. Lay Out Your Timeline From Left to Right

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3. Add Tasks From Top to Bottom

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

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

4. Adjust Each Bar Accordingly

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

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

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

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

5. Brand Your Gantt Chart

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

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

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

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

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

You might also enjoy:

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Gantt chart for business plans

Whether you’re in the first steps of launching a startup or you want to expand your existing business, a well-thought-out business plan is important. In fact, simply writing a business plan can increase your chances of success by more than 15% . Creating a Gantt chart for business plan purposes makes it easier for you to visualize the steps required to turn your idea into a reality.

In this article, we’ll look at what a Gantt chart is and how you can use it to plan for your business. We’ll also provide some tips for using monday.com as a business planning and management tool and highlight some templates you can use right away to bring everything and everyone together for increased success.

What is a Gantt chart?

A Gantt chart is a horizontal bar chart that provides a visual representation of tasks across planned time periods.

Gantt chart tools are traditionally used to help team members manage project schedules, but you can customize them to help manage any series of tasks you need to accomplish over a set period of time.

Can you use a Gantt chart for business planning?

, You can use a Gantt chart for business planning purposes, whether you’re working on project plans for an existing business or want a way to better manage tasks when launching a startup. Here are some ways you can use Gantt chart software for business planning:

• Create an action plan for a business launch:  Gantt chart templates let you turn the narrative format of an actual business plan into a visual action plan, with start and end dates, milestones, and dependencies that help you know what you need to do first to start working on your business dream.
• Plan for a specific business-related project:  At any phase of your business, you can create simple Gantt charts to manage project tasks that help you work toward success. For example, you might want to open a new location. Customize your Gantt charts to lay out the task list for getting that done, so you can stay organized along the way.
• Create a work breakdown structure for a specific department:  Established businesses can use project management tools like Gantt charts to manage time-dependent efforts for specific departments. For example, your marketing department may need to scale up their efforts during the holiday season.

You  can use a project Gantt chart for a variety of business plan and management purposes, but should you? Digging into the benefits of Gantt charts for business planning can help you make a good choice for your situation.

Benefits of a Gantt chart for business planning

Some benefits of a Gantt chart for business planning include:

• Ability to view the big picture:  When you can visualize the overall picture of your business plan, you can avoid getting bogged down in the details. You can also make proactive decisions that are best for your business goals.
• Better task tracking:  Gantt charts help you keep track of tasks in real-time, ensuring you or your team can work through the right assignments quickly.
• Full transparency of dependencies:  Gantt charts make it easy to indicate and understand which tasks are dependent on others — i.e. if you have to complete one task before moving to another. It also helps you understand when teams can tackle tasks simultaneously, so they can get more done.
• Increased insight for delegation:  If you see tasks that can run simultaneously, you know you can’t do both yourself. This can be a clue that it’s time to delegate some work to others.
• Creation of realistic timelines:  Gantt charts force you to apply start and end dates to the entire project or effort, as well as all tasks that are part of it. Forcing you to think about how long each task might take helps ensure you understand how long the overall process might take.

monday.com’s robust Work OS includes a designated Gantt View — as one of 8+ views —, Gantt chart templates, and plenty of other project management functions for business planning.

Gantt charts and other features for business planning on monday.com

Whether you’re collaborating on a business plan document with others, are ready to market your business idea on social media, or want to integrate other software to manage business processes, monday.com can help. Here are some monday.com features you might use for business planning and management:

• monday workdocs : Draft and co-edit documents in real-time, and discuss changes via comments with team members.
• Automations : Save time and avoid unnecessary meetings with custom workflow automations that help drive seamless handoffs and ensure tasks never get lost in the shuffle.
• Files Column: Keep all your files in one location to make it easy for teams to reference policies, brainstorming notes, and other information as they implement a business plan.
• Integrations: Seamlessly integrate your favorite tools withmonday.com —Dropbox, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Google, Excel, and Zoom are just a few of the many available options.

We’ve also got plenty of curated templates to help you specifically work on business plans and get started faster

Related templates

Besides a Gantt chart example for projects, here are just a few free templates available exclusively on monday.com that can help you plan and manage business efforts more efficiently.

• Simple Business Plan Template : Start with our Simple Business Plan Template if you’re working with a team to launch a new startup or service line. Collaborate with others easily on one intuitive and customizable board as you define vision and goals, customer needs, market size and scope, and everything in between for business success.
• One-Page Business Plan Template : Quickly collaborate or capture your own ideas on our One-Page Business Plan Template. This simple template is customizable, and you can use it to document plans for each business idea and then ask for feedback or compare your options before choosing one to act on.

Still not sure if a Gantt chart is right for your business planning needs? We’ve got a couple of FAQ answers that might help.

FAQs about Gantt charts

What three things are included in a gantt chart.

Gantt charts are made of a variety of elements, but the three main items you’ll find on any Gantt chart are:

• The overall timeline, which shows when a project or effort starts and ends
• Tasks, which show up on the horizontal bars of the chart
• Dependencies, which indicate which tasks are required before other tasks can begin

How do you create a Gantt chart in Excel?

You can download a Gantt chart template from Microsoft that helps you create a Gantt chart in Excel. You can also set up your own when you create a project by creating a horizontal axis that acts as a dated timeline and including color-coded tasks in cells on each row.

What makes a good Gantt chart?

A good Gantt chart requires planning project management, tasks, or efforts that can be tracked over time. The time period should be short enough that you can successfully capture it in a visual, and the project should have enough tasks to track to support the effort of making a Gantt chart to begin with.

Powerup your business plans with monday.com

Whether you want to collaborate on a Gantt chart for a business plan or automate activities to ensure the right people get things done, monday.com’s powerful Work OS can help.

Get started today with drag-and-drop capabilities that make it super easy to build a business plan, Gantt chart, and many other process tools. Then communicate in real-time over the life of your project or effort to ensure seamless collaboration and success.

Try monday.com for projects

Join the 152k+ customers who use monday.com.

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Plan, manage, and track product launches and campaigns.

Stay organized and communicate critical details to teams.

Streamline and scale manufacturing operations.

See how TeamGantt helps teams like yours meet deadlines, streamline communication.

Successful marketing project starts with a plan.

Track event details and to-dos.

Scope out roadmaps and manage backlogs.

Manage design, copy, and video work.

Learn all about gantt charts and how to use them to manage projects more easily.

Hear real testimonials from real TeamGantt customers.

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

Create an easy Excel gantt chart with our free template

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

How to use our free gantt chart Excel template

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

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

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

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

Additional Excel project management templates

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

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

How to make a simple gantt chart in Excel

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

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

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

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

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

Format these columns as follows:

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

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

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

2. Apply an automatic formula to calculate task duration

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

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

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

3. Insert a Stacked Bar Chart from the Insert menu

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

4. Set up your Excel gantt chart data

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

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

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

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

5. Add the project title to your chart

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. Format the horizontal axis as dates

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

8. Set your Excel gantt chart at weekly intervals

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

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

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

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

Tick the Categories in reverse order checkbox.

This also moves the date axis to the top of the chart where it’s a little more useful.

10. Format your stacked bar chart to look like a gantt chart

Click on the first portion of a taskbar with 2 colors to select all of the bars in your first data series. In the Excel chart below, our first data series is represented by the blue taskbars.

Then click the Paint Bucket tab, and expand the Fill section. Select No fill to remove the blue bars that precede your task start dates.

11. Change taskbar colors for a customized look

Click on a single bar twice. Don’t double-click it—click it once to highlight all the bars in that color, then click it again to highlight a single bar. Click the Paint Bucket icon, and choose the color you want from the color fill options.

Tip: Differentiate project phases from subtasks by giving phase taskbars a neutral color, such as gray.

Tip: Color milestones yellow or gold in your gantt chart so they stand out easily from other tasks.

Repeat this process for the rest of the bars in your newly made gantt chart to change their colors.

Congratulations! You’ve created your very own weekly gantt chart in Excel. That was probably a few more steps than you bargained for. Especially if you have to do that every time you need to create a gantt chart for a new project. That’s where TeamGantt comes in.

Build a gantt chart in minutes with TeamGantt

A better, faster, and more collaborative way to create, update, and track gantt charts.

Gantt charts that are simple, beautiful, and super-easy to manage and update is exactly what TeamGantt was designed from the ground up to do.

Comparison: TeamGantt vs Excel gantt chart

Forget having to keep track of multiple Excel gantt chart files for each project and wasting time making sure all your charts are presentation-ready. TeamGantt makes it easy—and dare we say FUN—to create and manage your projects with shareable online gantt charts. Here’s a quick peek at how you can save time and headaches making gantt charts and managing projects with TeamGantt compared to Excel:

The best collaborative gantt chart template

No need to build your plan from scratch with TeamGantt’s collaborative gantt chart template! We’ve plugged in some basic project elements for you. Feel free to duplicate task groups to speed up your gantt chart setup. ‍ Try our basic project gantt chart template! Or browse our full library of free collaborative gantt chart templates .

How to create a gantt chart in TeamGantt

Ready to get started? Follow these easy steps to set up your first project in TeamGantt.

1. Go to teamgantt.com/signup to sign up for your free account to get started.

2. Once you log in, go to My Projects in the sidebar, and click + New Project , then Create New Project .

3. Give your project a name, and choose a project template to get you started if you want. Choose your default project view and the days of the week you want to be able to schedule work in your project. Then click Create New Project .

4. Your project is created, and you’re ready to start adding your tasks!

5. Once you’ve added your tasks to the task list, just click and drag each taskbar to set the dates and duration.

6. If you have tasks that can’t begin until another task is complete, you can add a dependency to your gantt chart to make sure those tasks are always done in the proper order. Simply click the gray dot to the right of the first task, and drag the dependency to the dependent task.

You’re all done! Congratulations on creating your first project in TeamGantt!

How to save a TeamGantt project as a gantt chart template

In TeamGantt, you can create unlimited gantt chart templates from the projects you build. Here are 2 easy ways to save a project as a template from Gantt view:

• Option 1 : Click Menu > Save as Template .
• Option 2 : Go to Menu > Project Settings , and click the Mark as Template toggle on.

Your gantt chart template evolves with your root project so it stays up-to-date.

How to apply a gantt chart template to any TeamGantt project

Using a template to create a new project is as easy as clicking the Template dropdown on the project creation screen and choosing the one you want to use from the template library. No more starting from a blank screen!

Any gantt chart templates you save will be listed under the My Templates section. Once your gantt chart template loads, simply update the tasks and invite your team.

Get started with TeamGantt today

You can create a beautiful project plan in just minutes with TeamGantt. And because everything happens online, it's easy to track project progress and collaborate with your team in real time.

Sign up for your free account today!

Excel Gantt Chart FAQs

Is there a gantt chart template in excel.

Unfortunately, Excel doesn’t come with a built-in gantt chart template. You’ll need to create a gantt chart manually in Excel, then save it as a template for future project use.

How do I create a gantt chart template in Excel?

You can save any Excel file you make as a template. Simply follow these steps to build a gantt chart of your own in Excel . Then click File > Save as template to create an Excel gantt chart template you can use again and again to schedule project timelines.

How do I format a weekly Excel gantt chart?

To format your Excel gantt chart by week, right-click on the date axis, and select Format Axis. Expand the Axis Options section, and enter 7.0 into the Major field below Units for weekly intervals.

How do I format a monthly Excel gantt chart?

To format your Excel gantt chart by month, right-click on the date axis, and select Format Axis. Expand the Axis Options section, and enter 30.0 into the Major field below Units for monthly intervals. It won’t be a perfect monthly picture since some months have more or less days, but it should provide a decent visual approximation for your Excel gantt chart.

How do I track work progress in Excel?

Start by downloading our free gantt chart Excel template , which has progress bars built-in. Then all you have to do is update progress in the Percent Complete column, and Excel will adjust the taskbar on the gantt chart to reflect the current status.

Try TeamGantt for free today!

Present your data in a Gantt chart in Excel

A Gantt chart helps you schedule your project tasks and then helps you track your progress.

Need to show status for a simple project schedule with a Gantt chart? Though Excel doesn’t have a predefined Gantt chart type, you can create one using this free template: Gantt project planner template for Excel

Need to show status for a simple project schedule with a Gantt chart? Though Excel doesn’t have a predefined Gantt chart type, you can simulate one by customizing a stacked bar chart to show the start and finish dates of tasks, like this:

To create a Gantt chart like the one in our example that shows task progress in days:

Select the data you want to chart. In our example, that’s A1:C6

If your data’s in a continuous range of cells, select any cell in that range to include all the data in that range.

If your data isn't in a continuous range, select the cells while holding down the COMMAND key.

Tip:  If you don't want to include specific rows or columns of data you can hide them on the worksheet. Find out more about selecting data for your chart.

Click Insert > Insert Bar Chart > Stacked Bar chart.

Next, we’ll format the stacked bar chart to appear like a Gantt chart. In the chart, click the first data series (the Start part of the bar in blue) and then on the Format tab , select Shape Fill > No Fill .

If you don’t need the legend or chart title, click it and press DELETE.

Let’s also reverse the task order so that it starts with Task1. Hold the CONTROL key, and select the vertical axis (Tasks). Select Format Axis , and under Axis Position , choose Categories in reverse order .

Customize your chart

You can customize the Gantt type chart we created by adding gridlines, labels, changing the bar color, and more.

To add elements to the chart, click the chart area, and on the Chart Design tab, select Add Chart Element .

To select a layout, click Quick Layout.

To fine-tune the design, tab through the design options and select one.

To change the colors for the chart, click Change Colors .

To reuse your customized Gantt chart, save it as a template. Hold CONTROL and click in the chart, and then select Save as Template .

Did you know?

Microsoft 365 subscription offers premium Gantt chart templates  designed to help you track project tasks with visual reminders and color-coded categories. If you don't have a Microsoft 365 subscription or the latest Office version, you can try it now:

Create a chart from start to finish

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Free Gantt Chart Project Plan Templates

By Diana Ramos | May 24, 2022

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We’ve collected the top free Gantt chart templates for project planning. Use these templates to outline project details and get a broad visual overview of your plan. Choose from multiple file formats, all free to download.

On this page, you’ll find a Gantt project planner , a simple Gantt chart project plan , a construction project Gantt chart template , and other Gantt chart plans with daily, weekly, and monthly views.

Gantt Project Planner

Download Gantt Project Planner - Microsoft Excel

Create a project management plan that includes a Gantt chart schedule, stakeholder list, cost baseline, and communication plan. This template provides sample tasks for a software development or other IT project, and it displays task owners, dates, status, and a visual Gantt schedule. Enter your project details, including a scope statement, starting and ending dates, and all relevant activities. Complete the list of stakeholder names along with their roles, contact information, and expectations. Use the cost baseline sheet to plan and track project costs, and develop a detailed communication plan listing the audience, frequency, methods, and deliverables for various project communications.

Simple Gantt Chart Project Plan

Download Simple Gantt Chart Project Plan Microsoft Excel | Google Sheets

This simple project plan template features a Gantt chart timeline and a spreadsheet. You’ll find ample room for notes on project scheduling, budget, risks, and issues. At the top of the template, enter the project start and end dates to adjust what’s shown on the Gantt chart. List project phases or tasks with corresponding dates to calculate the estimated duration in days for each item. Use the notes portion of the spreadsheet to flesh out your project plan and provide details on each phase.

Construction Project Gantt Chart Template

Download Construction Project Gantt Chart Template Microsoft Excel | Google Sheets

This construction Gantt chart planner shows example project tasks, from demolition and excavation to final inspections. Edit the task list based on your specific project, add beginning and ending dates for each activity, and view your project schedule in the Gantt chart. The Gantt calendar makes it easy to see the timeframe for each task and the entire construction project, allowing for detailed planning while providing a bird’s-eye view.

Multi-Project Gantt Chart Planner

Download Multi-Project Gantt Chart Planner - Microsoft Excel

Plan and track multiple projects with a single Gantt chart template. For each project, add task titles and descriptions, deliverables, costs, and estimated hours. Use the drop-down menu to assign a priority to each project and task. The template calculates the number of days required for each task, as well as total days, hours, and costs for each project. The Gantt chart shows a weekly schedule based on the starting date entered at the top of the template.

Agile Project Plan Gantt Chart Template

Download Agile Project Plan Gantt Chart Template

Microsoft Excel | Microsoft PowerPoint

This Agile project plan template is divided into sprints and features, with a Gantt chart showing the timeline for each. Use the spreadsheet to document feature types, responsible parties, story points, start and finish dates, and at-risk items. The template will help you track the status for each activity and overall progress, so you can adjust your project plan as issues arise. The Gantt schedule provides a color-coded bar chart for distinguishing between sprints.

Gantt Chart Project Plan Timeline

Download Gantt Chart Project Plan Timeline - Microsoft PowerPoint

This template combines a Gantt chart with a timeline format, highlighting project milestones. Label the horizontal bars with project tasks or phases, dates, and duration. Move the bars and milestone markers to the places along the timeline that match your project dates. This template provides a simple visual schedule that works well as part of a presentation or brief summary for stakeholders.

Find more scheduling templates in our roundup of free project schedule templates .

Hourly Gantt Project Planner Template

Download Hourly Gantt Project Planner Template — Microsoft PowerPoint

Create an hourly project plan over the course of a single day, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Enter your activities, along with starting and ending times, and adjust the Gantt chart bars to reflect the duration planned for each task. Use the color key to assign owners or divide tasks into categories. The template also includes symbols for marking scheduled breaks and key events.

Weekly Gantt Project Planning Template

Download Weekly Gantt Project Planning Template — Microsoft Excel

This weekly Gantt planner has room for project tasks and subtasks, owners, duration and percent complete for each task. The Gantt chart is divided into four phases highlighted by different colors, with three weeks in each phase. The schedule is also broken down into days, so you get a daily and weekly view of your project plan.

Monthly Gantt Chart Project Plan Template

Download Monthly Gantt Chart Project Plan Template Microsoft Excel | Google Sheets

Use this Gantt template complete with example activities for project planning on a monthly and quarterly basis. View a breakdown of tasks for each project phase on the chart. Edit the tasks on the bar chart to suit your project, and add important details, such as specific dates. The bold markers for the current date and project end date will help you track performance and manage plan updates.

Gantt Chart Project Plan with Dependencies

Download Gantt Chart Project Plan with Dependencies - Microsoft Excel

View primary tasks, subtasks, and dependencies with this project plan Gantt chart. The template provides columns for work breakdown structure numbering, task descriptions, assigned owners, and percent complete for each activity. You can also see the variance between planned and actual work dates, so you can manage and revise the project plan as it progresses. The Gantt chart features a weekly schedule view with milestone markers to emphasize important events.

Marketing Project Gantt Chart Planner

Download Marketing Project Gantt Chart Planner Microsoft Excel | Microsoft Word

Use this template to create a Gantt chart plan for your next marketing project. Edit the example project phases and activities to match your marketing campaign plan. Enter start and end dates for each task to get a daily and weekly view of your project schedule. On the Microsoft Excel and Apple Numbers templates, add the project start date at the top of the template to automatically change the dates shown on the Gantt chart. On the Microsoft Word version, manually enter your dates on the chart, then adjust the task bars to line up with the appropriate dates.

Project Plan Dashboard with Gantt Chart

Download Project Plan Dashboard with Gantt Chart — Microsoft Excel

Manage your project plan with this dashboard template. In the notes tab, enter your project data in the corresponding tables to populate the dashboard charts, including Gantt, task status, budget and pending items. The Gantt chart is a basic weekly schedule, providing a quick view of your project timeline. The template allows you to mark high-priority tasks and assign owners. Get a snapshot of your budget, change requests, and overall task status, so you can anticipate revisions.

How to Create an Excel Gantt Chart Using a Template

Creating a Gantt chart is simple when you use a preformatted template. To get the most out of your template, follow our guide to making a Gantt chart in Microsoft Excel . You’ll get step-by-step instructions for creating a project timeline and tips for customizing it.

To determine what type of Gantt chart to use for your project and find more downloadable templates, see our collection of free Gantt chart templates and other project planning tools .

Use Smartsheet to Quickly Create and Update a Gantt Chart Project Plan

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Gantt Chart Template

Get your Gantt Chart Template for Excel or open it in ProjectManager, the best way to manage your projects online.

Create a Gantt chart in minutes with this free Gantt chart template for either Excel or ProjectManager. It’s a great way to visually track your project tasks and see the duration of the overall project. Once you schedule your tasks on our free Gantt chart template for Excel, you’ll never go back to an old-fashioned task list.

When you open the Gantt chart template in ProjectManager, you’ll be able to manage your project with not just a Gantt chart, but with five different views: Gantt, kanban board, task list, calendar and sheet.

Plus, you’ll be able to collaborate on those tasks with your team in real time and track progress in the software with live dashboards and instant status reports. Get started for free with ProjectManager and build a dynamic Gantt chart in minutes.

What Is a Gantt Chart Template?

A Gantt chart template is a visual project management tool that helps project managers visualize the tasks that make up a project schedule. Gantt chart templates are usually made up of a spreadsheet that’s used to list tasks and a stacked bar chart, which represents the project timeline.

How Does This Gantt Chart Excel Template Work?

This free template helps project managers easily create a Gantt chart. Simply add tasks and due dates and our template will automatically create a stacked bar chart.

However, if you’re looking for more advanced features such as identifying task dependencies, assigning tasks to team members or finding the critical path, you should try ProjectManager’s Gantt chart template.

With our in-product template, you can compare your project plan and project schedule versus your actual progress. It’s also a means to view project milestones, baselines and critical activities.

Who Should Use a Gantt Chart Excel Template?

This Gantt chart Excel template is a tool to organize tasks and create a project schedule . This is under the purview of the project manager. However, while the project manager owns this process, they’ll seek help from the project management team members to make sure they’re prioritizing the right tasks and determining task dependencies correctly. Your team is your best resource to help you understand how each task interacts with the next.

Finally, stakeholders will want to see the Gantt chart template. They’re invested in the successful outcome of the project and want to be kept abreast of progress.

The Excel Gantt chart is simple to use for any user and acts as a point of comparison to your actual progress. When presenting to the stakeholders you can show them the project schedule and how it aligns with the actual progress. Again, if you’re a project manager or team leader looking for more advanced project management features, try ProjectManager’s in-product Gantt chart .

How to Use This Free Gantt Chart Template for Excel

Gantt charts can be complicated for novices, but Gantt chart templates make them simple and effective especially when they’re part of your larger project management software.

First, let’s explain how you can use this free Gantt chart Excel template as a standalone project management document to help you track your project’s schedule.

1. Fill Out Your Gantt Chart Task List

The Gantt chart isn’t drastically different from a task list. The first thing you should prepare before using your Excel Gantt chart template is a task-by-task breakdown of the project. Once you’ve identified your project tasks, you can begin listing those in column B.

2. Add Start and End Dates to the Gantt Template

Add due dates for those tasks using columns C and D. The data that you enter in these cells will be used to automatically calculate the duration of each task in column E. Simply add a start date and end date to your tasks and let the Excel formula do the rest.

3. Create a Stacked Bar Chart

Our free Gantt chart template for Excel automatically creates a stacked bar chart for you on the right side based on the task data you entered in columns B, C and D.

The horizontal axis shows the project timeline, the vertical axis lists tasks and each bar on the stacked bar chart represents the task duration. This is where the Gantt chart template stops being a task list and turns into a visual aid for managing your project.

4. Update Changes Manually to Your Excel Gantt Chart Template

Yes, our Excel Gantt chart template is an upgrade from a simple task list , but it’s still a static spreadsheet that’s limited to desktop use. If you want to update the template, you have to manually add more tasks to the data grid, update dates and fumble around with clunky Microsoft Excel.

Take your free Gantt chart template for Excel to the next level and import it into ProjectManager, our award-winning project management software . ProjectManager turns your template into a dynamic online Gantt chart with simple, drag-and-drop functionality.

Why Use an Excel Gantt Chart Template?

There are many different types of Gantt chart templates, some static and others more dynamic. This Gantt chart template for Excel is a static version. We’ll explain what it can do below.

Key Advantages of a Gantt Chart Template for Excel

You can list all your tasks on the Gantt chart, no matter how many you have in your project plan . Then you can set the duration, which means the start and finish dates. This data puts the tasks on the timeline, with a duration bar linking the start to the finish. To indicate the project phases, you can color-code the tasks. In a nutshell, this free template allows you to create a basic project schedule.

Key Disadvantages of a Gantt Chart Template for Excel

Not all tasks are the same. Some can’t start or finish until another task has started or finished. This is called task dependency. Keep in mind that the Gantt chart Excel template can’t link dependent tasks . You won’t be able to assign tasks to your team from this free template, and when they start to work on the project, their updates won’t reflect on the template in real time. You’ll have to manually add that data.

This roadblock, however, can be solved by importing your Excel Gantt chart template into ProjectManager. ProjectManager has an online Gantt chart that updates in real time and allows you to assign tasks to your team members, link task dependencies, set project milestones and identify the critical path. In addition, you can use the suite of robust project management tools that ProjectManager has to offer.

Other Free Excel Project Management Templates

The Gantt chart is one of the most used tools in a project manager’s toolbox for a reason. It’s a great way to organize and manage your tasks, build your project plan and create a schedule. To help you get the most out of your Gantt chart template, we have a page on our website devoted to free project management templates you can download. The following are a few you’ll find helpful.

WBS Template

Our free Gantt chart template for Excel helps you organize your tasks, but how do you collect them? To find every step you must take to reach your final project deliverable, use a work breakdown structure template. It’s a tool to visualize every deliverable or task in your project and shows you the total scope of the work that must be done. This step is taken before the Gantt, so make sure to be thorough.

Project Plan Template

Creating a project schedule with your Gantt chart template for Excel is part of the process of the overall project plan, which consists of the tasks and resources that you’ll need to successfully conclude the project. Our project plan template outlines all those pieces to make sure you have a complete picture when you’re done.

Project Budget Template

The project budget comes directly from the tasks. It speaks to the amount of money you have to supply resources to reach your final deliverable. Some Gantt chart templates allow you to add resource costs directly to the chart, so using this template will help you to estimate the costs associated with executing the project. You’ll need this information to track your costs during the project.

How to Import Your Excel Gantt Chart Template Into ProjectManager

To import your free Gantt chart template for Excel into ProjectManager, you first need to transfer the data in your Gantt chart to the Gantt view of a project, which can seamlessly import and export MS Project, Excel and CSV files. Once you’re in the Gantt view for your project, simply click the import button in the main navigation and choose the file you wish to import. From there, map the columns you want to retain, click import and your Excel template will be imported into the software.

How to Edit Your Gantt Chart Excel Template in ProjectManager

Once you import your Gantt chart template for Excel into ProjectManager, the real fun begins. What was once a static document is now a powerful interactive tool that can be used for collaborating with your team members.

ProjectManager is online project management software, so all tasks are stored remotely and can be easily shared with other team members wherever they are. That means that there’s task-level collaboration and file sharing with just a click of a button.

ProjectManager allows project managers to edit the Gantt chart online, so everybody on the team can see those changes in real time. When a deadline changes for a task, you can simply drag and drop the task timeline to reflect that change in your schedule. Things will change over the course of your project’s lifecycle, and you’re going to want an easy way to adjust your project schedule without having to waste time creating a new Gantt chart.

There are also the aforementioned task dependencies, which can complicate a schedule and potentially block team members. With ProjectManager , online Gantt charts have a feature where you can automate task dependencies so that when one task is delayed or completed, it adjusts the other tasks dependent on it. You can also automate emails to notify you and your team members when these tasks are completed. All of this combined with integrated reporting features take Gantt chart templates to the next level in ProjectManager.

Gantt Chart Tutorial Video

For more information on how to create and manage a Gantt chart, watch the video below. Jennifer Bridges, PMP, gives you a number of crucial tips that can help you get the most out of your Gantt chart template.

Gantt Chart Templates FAQs

Is there a gantt chart template in excel.

No, Microsoft Excel doesn’t offer a pre-built Gantt chart template. However, you can use ProjectManager’s Gantt chart template for Excel. Simply fill out the task list and automatically generate your Gantt chart. Plus, it’s a free download!

Is There a Gantt Chart Template in Word?

No, Microsoft Word doesn’t offer Gantt chart templates. While there are workarounds you can try to create a Gantt chart in Word, the process is overly time-consuming and inefficient if you need to manage a project. Instead, we suggest using ProjectManager’s Gantt chart .

Is There a Gantt Chart Template in PowerPoint?

Yes, Microsoft PowerPoint does have some Gantt chart templates. However, these are merely functional for a presentation and aren’t designed to manage projects. You’ll get just enough features to create a basic project timeline.

Related Content

Besides our free Gantt chart template for Excel, we have much more to offer to project managers. ProjectManager is a project management hub, a place where like-minded professionals can gather and discuss topics of interest. Our regular blog and video posts address ongoing issues for project managers, including subjects like Gantt charts and how to get the most out of them. Here are a few of those articles.

• How to Make a Gantt Chart in Excel Step-By-Step
• The Ultimate Guide to Gantt Charts
• Best Gantt Chart Software
• Displaying the Critical Path on a Gantt Chart (Example & Template Included)
• Gantt Chart Google Sheets Templates

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Gantt charts are easier and more efficient when used within ProjectManager’s online software. If you’re looking for a software solution, see how it works for you and your projects by taking a free 30-day trial of the software.

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

Published: April 05, 2023

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

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

Table of Contents

What is a Gantt Chart used for?

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

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

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

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

2. Gantt Chart in PowerPoint

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

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

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

4. Gantt Chart for Design Projects

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

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Gantt Chart for Business plan

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

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Business Preparation Gantt Chart

Create Gantt Chart examples like this template called Business Preparation Gantt Chart that you can easily edit and customize in minutes.

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Initial Meetings Cost Analysis Data Prep. Gather All Data Stakeholders Meeting Minutes (Dale) Preparations Design/Print Invitations Scenarios & Meetings Distribute Invitations Model for Display Prepare Report Stakeholders 2 Revisions Gather Data Publish All Reports Cost Analysis Tech Prep. Task Assigned To Start End Dur Business Prep. for Inspection 34 Unassigned

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Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make a Gantt Chart for Your Project

A Gantt chart is an invaluable tool for project management , allowing you to visually track and manage your project 's progress. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of creating a Gantt chart for your project. Whether you are a seasoned project manager or new to project management, this guide will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to create an effective Gantt chart to stay organized and meet your project goals.

Understanding the Basics of a Gantt Chart

A Gantt chart is a horizontal bar chart that represents the project's timeline and tracks the progress of various tasks or activities involved in the project. It provides a visual representation of the project schedule , making it easier to understand its progress and identify any potential bottlenecks or delays.

Imagine you are a project manager overseeing a complex construction project. You have multiple tasks and activities that need to be completed, such as site preparation, foundation construction, and building erection. Each task has a specific start and end date, and it's crucial to keep track of their progress so that the project stays on schedule.

The Importance of Gantt Charts in Project Management

Gantt charts are an essential tool in project management for several reasons:

• Visualize the project timeline and schedule: Gantt charts provide a clear visual representation of the project timeline, allowing project managers to see the entire project at a bird's-eye view.
• Manage task dependencies: Gantt charts help identify task dependencies, highlighting which tasks need to be completed before others can start.   
• Track progress and delays: Updating the Gantt chart regularly lets project managers track the progress of tasks and identify any delays or potential issues. 
• Communicate project status : The visual nature of Gantt charts make it easy to communicate the project status to stakeholders, team members, and clients, enabling effective project reporting and decision-making.

Key Components of a Gantt Chart

Before diving into creating a Gantt chart, it's essential to understand the key components that make up this powerful project management tool:

• Tasks or activities: Each task or activity in the project is represented as a horizontal bar in the Gantt chart. For example, in a software development project, tasks can include requirements gathering, design, coding, testing, and deployment.
• Duration: The length of each task is represented by the length of the corresponding bar on the chart. This lets project managers to visualize how long each task will take and plan accordingly.
• Milestones: Key project milestones, such as project kick-off or client deliverables, are marked with a diamond-shaped symbol on the Gantt chart. These milestones act as important checkpoints and help project managers track progress towards major goals.
• Dependencies: Task dependencies indicate the order in which tasks must be completed and are represented by lines connecting the tasks on the chart. For example, if task B cannot start until task A is completed, a dependency line will connect the two tasks on the Gantt chart.
• Timeline: The horizontal axis of the Gantt chart represents the project timeline, typically displaying dates or time intervals. This allows project managers to see the progression of tasks over time and identify any scheduling conflicts or overlaps.

Preparing to Create Your Gantt Chart

Before jumping into creating your Gantt chart, there are a few essential steps you should take for successful project planning and execution. Taking the time to carefully prepare will help you create a comprehensive and accurate Gantt chart that will effectively guide your project from start to finish.

Defining Your Project Goals

Clearly defining your project's scope, deliverables, and desired outcomes will help you identify the tasks, milestones, and activities that need to be included in your Gantt chart. It's important to consider the specific outcomes you want to achieve. Are you looking to develop a new software application? Or are you planning a marketing campaign for a new product launch? 

Identifying Key Tasks and Milestones

Once you have defined your project goals, you need to identify the key tasks and milestones that are necessary to achieve those goals. Figure out the sequence in which your tasks need to be completed. Some tasks may be dependent on others, meaning they cannot start until a previous task is finished. As for milestones, they are important for tracking progress and providing a sense of accomplishment throughout the project. By identifying milestones, you can set clear targets and evaluate the project's progress against these targets.

Estimating Task Durations

Take into account factors such as the complexity of the task, the resources available, and any dependencies or constraints . It's advisable to involve your project team members in this estimation process to create realistic timelines. Overestimating or underestimating task durations can lead to inaccurate project timelines and potential delays. 

Determining Task Dependencies

Identifying the relationships between tasks and determining if there are any that are dependent on others or must be completed in a specific order is vital for creating a well-structured Gantt chart. Task dependencies can take various forms, such as finish-to-start (where one task cannot start until another is finished), start-to-start (where one task cannot start until another has started), finish-to-finish (where one task cannot finish until another has finished), or start-to-finish (where one task cannot finish until another has started). You will want to put your tasks in the correct sequential order so that you can visualize the project's timeline more accurately and flag any potential bottlenecks or constraints.

Step-by-Step Process to Create a Gantt Chart

Now that you have laid the groundwork, it's time to dive into the step-by-step process of creating your Gantt chart.

Choosing the Right Gantt Chart Tool

There are numerous Gantt chart software options available, ranging from simple online tools to advanced project management software. Consider your project's needs, budget, and team's preferences when selecting the right tool for you. Some tools offer collaborative capabilities that let multiple team members work on the Gantt chart simultaneously. Others may specialize in reporting functionalities that allow you to generate progress reports or export the chart in different formats. Additionally, you will want to consider the ease of use of the tool. If you have team members who are not familiar with complex software, opting for a user-friendly tool with a simple interface may be beneficial.

Setting Up Your Project Timeline

Start by defining your project's timeline. Determine the start and end dates of your project and choose an appropriate time scale for your Gantt chart, such as days, weeks, or months. Create a timeline that encompasses the entire duration of your project. Remember to take into account any external factors that may impact your project's schedule, like holidays, vacations, or dependencies on other projects. By taking these factors into account, you can ensure that your Gantt chart reflects the realistic timeline of your project. You can even divide your project into phases or milestones to better visualize its progress. This can help you track the completion of significant deliverables so that everything stays on track.

Adding Tasks to Your Gantt Chart

Add the tasks you identified earlier to your Gantt chart. Use the task names to label each bar, and position the bars on the chart based on the task's start and end dates. You can adjust the length of the bars to represent the estimated duration of each task. Remember to break down your project into smaller, manageable tasks and confirm that each is labelled with a clear objective and deliverable . Also, you can involve your project team members in the task creation process, since their input can help identify any potential dependencies or constraints that may affect the order or timing of tasks. 

Incorporating Task Durations and Dependencies

Once you have added the tasks to your Gantt chart, incorporate the task durations and dependencies. Adjust the length of each bar to reflect the estimated duration. Task durations should be estimated based on factors such as complexity, resources available, and any potential risks or uncertainties. Then, draw arrows or lines between tasks to indicate the dependencies. The four mostly commonly used ones are finish-to-start, start-to-start, finish-to-finish, and start-to-finish. This will show the order in which tasks must be completed.

Assigning Resources to Tasks

Consider the resources required for each task and assign them accordingly. This may include project team members, equipment, software, or any other necessary resources. It's essential to match the right resources to the right tasks to maximize efficiency and productivity. Regularly communicate with your team members to verify they have the necessary resources and support to complete their assigned tasks. Lastly, take into account any resource constraints or limitations that may impact your project's timeline. If a specific resource is in high demand or has limited availability, it may be necessary to adjust your schedule or find alternative solutions.

By following these steps, you will have created a comprehensive and visually appealing Gantt chart for your project. Remember to regularly update and maintain your Gantt chart as your project progresses to accurately track its status and make timely adjustments, if necessary. With your Gantt chart in hand, you will have a powerful tool to keep your project on track and achieve your project goals.

Create a Gantt chart for your project using Wrike's step-by-step guide. Try it free today and signify your project timeline visually for efficient tracking and management.

Note: This article was created with the assistance of an AI engine. It has been reviewed and revised by our team of experts to ensure accuracy and quality.

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To survive on a globalized market, especially in difficult periods of VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity), organizations of all sizes must learn to adapt rapidly. We all know that keeping the business running in times of change and stress has never been more important. One of the best ways to ensure your company is prepared for the unexpected is to create a business continuity plan that helps you act - instead of merely react - when disruption strikes. That’s why we built the business continuity plan example as a swimlane timeline to help guide you in your risk mitigation efforts. This free template outlines the major components of business continuity management so you can get started quickly and save valuable time. The BCP template has all the major steps already built in for your convenience, from business impact analysis to disaster recovery. Business continuity planning is a common best practice in the IT field, but the benefits of creating a contingency plan are obvious for any type of project in any industry. Whether you’re working in Operations, Marketing, or Pharma, you can use this template to map out how you respond to change.

The template for this business continuity plan is free to download and easy to edit with the Office Timeline PowerPoint add-in , so you spend minutes instead of hours to prepare a clear, crisp visual that gets the point across in one slide. You can use it anytime for a high-level presentation of contingency plans to show your stakeholders the principles of risk management.

Office Timeline is a free timeline maker that helps you create and update project visuals using a smart layout engine that does all the work for you. Use the free version any time you need a simple but powerful tool to do a project timeline or Gantt chart in PowerPoint quickly. Or create more complex visuals using the Pro edition , which offers access to key features like import, templates, and unlimited rows of data. So, next time your stakeholders ask how you plan to ensure business continuity in times of unprecedented complexity, this template can be your starting point.  

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Free Gantt Chart Tool to Visualize Data Flow

Gantt charts are a type of bar chart that is used to track the progress of tasks over time. They are a valuable tool for project managers, as they can help to plan, schedule, track, and manage projects effectively.

Online Gantt Chart to Track Data Flow

Gantt charts are used in project management to track the progress of tasks over time. They are a type of bar chart that shows the start and finish dates of tasks, as well as the dependencies between tasks. Gantt charts can be used to:

• Plan and schedule projects: Gantt charts can be used to create a detailed plan for a project, including the tasks that need to be completed, the order in which they need to be completed, and the estimated time for each task.
• Track progress: Gantt charts can be used to track the progress of a project and identify any tasks that are behind schedule or at risk of being delayed.
• Identify bottlenecks: Gantt charts can be used to identify tasks that are taking longer than expected or that are blocking the progress of other tasks.
• Make better decisions: Gantt charts can be used to make better decisions about the allocation of resources and the prioritization of tasks.

To work with a Gantt chart, you will need to:

• Identify the tasks that need to be completed.
• Estimate the time it will take to complete each task.
• Determine the dependencies between tasks.
• Create a Gantt chart that shows the start and finish dates of each task, as well as the dependencies between tasks.
• Track the progress of the project and make adjustments to the Gantt chart as needed.

Gantt charts are a valuable tool for project managers. They can help you to plan, schedule, track, and manage your projects effectively.

Here are some additional tips for working with Gantt charts:

• Use a consistent format for your Gantt charts. This will make it easier to track progress and identify problems.
• Use colors or symbols to differentiate between different types of tasks. This will make your Gantt chart easier to read.
• Use filters to focus on specific tasks or groups of tasks. This will help you to drill down into the details of your project.
• Export your Gantt chart to a spreadsheet or other format for easy sharing.

Gantt charts are a powerful tool that can help you to improve your project management skills. By following these tips, you can make the most of this valuable tool.

Source: https://bard.google.com/docs/how-to-use-gantt-charts

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