Gantt Chart: Definition, Benefits, and How It’s Used

What is a Gantt chart?

A Gantt chart is a horizontal bar chart that visualizes a project schedule. It shows tasks, their start and end dates, durations, dependencies, and progress. Named after Henry Gantt, the chart is widely used in project management to plan, schedule, and track work.

How it works

• Tasks are listed on the vertical axis.
• Time is shown on the horizontal axis.
• Each task is represented by a horizontal bar whose length is proportional to its duration.
• Bars can show percent complete and indicate dependencies between tasks.
• Milestones mark key events or decision points.

Key benefits

• Clarifies task sequences and dependencies.
• Reveals which tasks can run in parallel and which are dependent on others.
• Helps detect potential bottlenecks and missing tasks.
• Distinguishes critical activities (must stay on schedule) from noncritical ones (have slack).
• Improves communication of project status to team members and stakeholders.

Components of a Gantt chart

• Activities/tasks (vertical axis)
• Timeline (horizontal axis)
• Progress bars showing start/end dates, duration, and completion percentage
• Milestones and dependency indicators

Example

A company is installing new software on a bank’s servers. The project lasts 40 days with four sequential tasks—research, product selection, testing, and installation—each taking 10 days. Testing is a critical activity that must be completed in development and test environments before installation can start. The Gantt chart maps each task to the 40-day timeline, marks the milestone when the software product is selected, and displays percent complete for each task to track progress.

Common uses

Gantt charts are used across industries for projects of all sizes, including:
– Construction and infrastructure (dams, bridges, highways)
– Software development and technology rollouts
– Operational and business initiatives

They help managers allocate resources, prioritize work, and ensure higher-priority projects finish before less important ones begin.

Tools that create Gantt charts

Popular tools for designing Gantt charts include:
– Microsoft Project, Excel, Visio, SharePoint
– Specialized software such as Gantto and MatchWare

About Henry Gantt

Henry Gantt (1861–1919) was a mechanical engineer and management consultant who developed the Gantt chart in the 1910s to help supervisors monitor workforce progress and keep tasks on schedule.

Bottom line

A Gantt chart is a straightforward visual tool for mapping a project’s timeline, tracking task progress, and communicating status. Use one to organize tasks, visualize dependencies, and keep projects on track.