Gantt
Contents |
Abstract
The Gantt Chart is a helpful tool that can be used to visualize project scheduling. The chart takes it name from its inventor, Henry Gantt (1861-1919)[1]. The chart can be used to simplify complex situations and problems by shedding light on actions that should be taken to avoid idleness[2]. Gantt Charts are a type of bar chart where the activities that a project consist of are plotted on the vertical axis and time is plotted on the horizontal axis[1].The activities are shown as bars with length and position relative to their duration and timing respectively. Traditionally Gantt Charts would be plotted by hand using pen and paper. This limited the usability of Gantt Charts as they required to be remade if unexpected changes in the planning schedule occurred. However, this issue has subsequently been addressed by the use of modern computers. This has made Gantt Charts much more flexible as they can easily be altered if a situation prompts changes in the schedule. Originally Gantt Charts were applied to mostly to industrial production processes but it can be applied to any planned human activity[2]. This article will discuss the Gantt Chart as a project management tool and go over its applications, limitations and implementation.
