GANTT

Abstract

The Gantt chart as a tool is one of the keystones within the project schedule management discipline. (1). Invented by Henry Laurence Gantt in the second decade of the 20th century the tool was initially used as a visual representation of the time schedule and progress of a given project. (3). This is very much linked up with the definition of the word project, which is defined as a set of activities which has a definite beginning and a definite end. (3) Gantt charts used to be a laborious process, since it was only possible to create them manually by hand. That has since changed and at the time of writing the Gantt chart has undergone a major development since its first introduction. The purpose of this article is to create an understanding of how to use Gantt charts in the 21st century and provide guidance on how to use them specially for project managers. What fundamental insight to obtain before implementing a Gantt chart and how to work with your Gantt chart once it is implemented. Furthermore, how to use Gantt charts together with other project schedule management tools and how that collaboration can create value for the project. The article will also present different types of software to use when working with Gantt charts and how that software has evolved the Gantt chart. Conclusively the article will present the limitations of Gantt charts as a tool by defining when, where and by whom the tool is not applicable.

References

(1)Project Management Institute, Inc. (PMI) (2017), Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) (6th Edition).

(2)National Aeronautics and Space Administration (2010), NASA Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Handbook.

(3)Pankaja Pradeep Kumar, CCE, (2005), Effective Use of Gantt Chart for Managing Large Scale Projects, AACE International, Cost Engineering Vol. 47/No. 7.