A Gantt chart is a tool for project management developed originally by Henry Gantt in the early 1900s. It is a type of bar chart that shows the start and end times for each task in a project schedule. The tasks are usually categorized using a work breakdown structure with summary tasks for the main project deliverables and sub-tasks that break the project down into a detailed and manageable task hierarchy. If you use Excel or Google Sheets, you can create this type of project schedule with almost no learning curve by downloading Imperialcreatelab free Gantt Chart Template.
For complicated project management activities, you may need a tool such as Microsoft Project or other specialized software. But, if you want to create a simple Gantt chart quickly and easily, you only need some basic Excel skills to use this template (such as knowing how to copy and insert rows).
This template contains the core functionality needed to create a simple Gantt chart easily. Each row of the worksheet represents a separate task. All you need to do is define the start date and duration of each task.
- To add more tasks, you just copy and paste rows (or insert a row then press Ctrl+D to copy formulas down).
- To change the range of dates displayed in the chart area, just slide the scroll bar.
- To track the status of a task, edit the % Complete column. The bars in the chart show the % complete for each task.
- The vertical red line shows the current date.
- To use the automatic work breakdown structure numbering, copy the formula for the appropriate level from the bottom of the worksheet.
While planning a project, you may also want to use a yearly calendar or project budget worksheet.
