How to Create a Gantt Chart

Interface Overview

• Gantt Tools Tab: Contains items for creating Gantt charts:
  • Tasks and subtasks
  • Indenting and outdating
  • Advanced features (discussed later)
• Columns and Graphic Display: Data in columns shown graphically on the right side.

Creating Tasks and Subtasks

• Creating a Task: Example project: Product Launch
  • Create a task by selecting "Task"
  • Enter task names (e.g., Planning, Product Issues, Sales and Marketing)
• Creating a Subtask:
  • Use "Subtask" or press "Insert" on keyboard
  • Example subtasks: Set a Team, Set a Budget
• Summary Tasks:
  • Tasks like Planning are summary tasks
  • Subtasks are associated with summary tasks

Using Templates

• Templates provide predefined structures visible in columns and graphic views.
• Adjust columns to show/hide relevant information.

Setting Project Information

• Project Information:
  • Define start date which calculates end date as tasks are added
  • Use release date to back-calculate project start
• Project Calendar:
  • Default: 5-day, 40-hour work week
  • Customize based on industry
• Resource Calendars: Additional customization for resources

Estimating Duration and Dependencies

• Estimating Durations:
  • Example durations: 5 days, 4 days, 3 days
  • Summary task duration based on subtasks
• Constraints:
  • Avoid setting start/end dates to prevent constraints
  • Constraints dictate start/completion times
• Dependencies:
  • Predecessor relationships create task dependencies
  • Drag-and-drop features for dependencies, constraints on graphic view

Resource Management

• Adding Resources:
  • Manual entry or import from address book/Active Directory
  • Utilize existing resource pools
• Resource Management Features:
  • Rates per resource
  • Resource calendars
  • Effort driven tasks

Task and Resource Details

• Task Information:
  • Access constraint types, effort driven tasks, milestones
  • Manage lead/lag times, predecessor types
  • Assign resources

Customizing Gantt Charts

• Visual Customization:
  • Add resources and task names to the Gantt chart
  • Adjust color schemes, fill patterns
• Baseline Analysis:
  • Compare planned vs. actual progress

Conclusion

• Overview:
  • Simple task creation and management
  • Advanced usage of constraints and dependencies to track project progress