Although Gantt charts are the pinnacle of project management and execution, they are not without their share of difficulties. Its difficulty in use is one of the main difficulties. You must use it meticulously as a project manager and take into account all resources, dependencies, milestones, and deadlines.
The project management timeline, as its name implies, depicts a project’s timeline from beginning to end. It is an easy method for organizing a project chronologically without the cumbersome information of a Gantt chart. It makes it simple to comprehend, flexible to use, and adaptable to changing circumstances.
- Project management timeline.
- Project network diagram.
- Kanban board.
- Scrum board.
- Cross-functional flowchart.
- Project checklist.
- Simple Gantt chart.
10 Gantt chart alternatives
There are several alternatives to using Gantt charts, which are an advanced project management tool that is very effective at organizing project information and supporting the management of project teams. The next set of project management tools may be easier to use and better suited to your project’s requirements:
1. Project management timeline
A timeline for project management is a diagram that arranges project tasks in accordance with a project deadline. The project’s start and end dates, as well as information on each step the project team intends to take to complete the project, are the only inputs needed. A project management timeline is horizontally displayed and is linear. Because of the timeline and indication of the potential duration of each task, it is very similar to a Gantt chart, though less detail is used.
2. Project checklist
A project checklist is a list of all the tasks needed to complete the project. This is an easy method for managing and organizing a project’s steps. When a task is finished, team members can cross it off the list and move on to the next one.
For smaller projects with fewer variables to track, this is a good project management tool to use. A project checklist can only be used to handle inputs that are project tasks, so it can’t tell you how long you have to finish an assignment or who is in charge of it.
3. Kanban board
A Kanban board is a project management tool that lists information on upcoming, ongoing, and finished tasks. By writing down each task a project requires on a piece of paper and categorizing the tasks according to who is working on each task and its status, you can manually create a Kanban board. Additionally, there are online tools available to create a Kanban board.
This approach aids in visualizing the work a team must do to complete a project. This method eliminates the need for a time limit for each task because workers can complete the tasks in any order.
4. Work breakdown structure
A work breakdown structure is a diagram that separates each of a project’s steps and tasks into manageable chunks. This helps a team see what needs to be done to finish a project and makes the work more manageable. Project managers assemble all associated tasks into a single group, which can improve resource allocation. Since a work breakdown structure doesn’t show a timeline, it is most useful for showing the sequence in which tasks can be completed and how each one relates to the others.
5. Cross-functional flowchart
A cross-functional flowchart is a diagram that illustrates project tasks and makes it clear how all organizational departments can contribute to the project’s success. You can label the project’s stages and the departments it involves on each axis of the chart. The sequence in which team members complete tasks and the department in charge of each task can both be determined by a cross-functional flowchart. When managing multiple teams at once, this is a useful project management tool.
6. Pareto chart
A Pareto chart, a cross between a bar and line graph, shows potential problems that might arise while working on a project. This displays the frequency of the problem on one axis and causes like resource limitations on another. Project managers can use this diagram to identify problems and track project progress.
7. Cause and effect chart
By mapping out issues and potential causes, a cause and effect chart aids managers in identifying and resolving issues that arise during projects or have the potential to do so. Because it enables managers to handle problems in an organized manner and keeps the project on track, this is a useful tool for project management. A cause and effect chart reduces problems while working by foreseeing potential difficulties before they occur.
8. Burn-up chart
A graph that displays project progress is called a burn-up chart. This graph displays the progress a team makes in relation to each task’s due date. Project teams can manage their time effectively and stay motivated by seeing progress visually.
9. Mind mapping
Linking ideas or events to a main concept is a technique known as mind mapping. By branching ideas away from a central idea and connecting them to one another with lines, mind mapping illustrates relationships between ideas. Mind mapping is a helpful visual tool in project management to illustrate the steps of a project and communicate specifics like deadlines, tasks, and team members involved in the project.
10. Spreadsheets
Spreadsheets allow you to create charts with axes that are both horizontal and vertical to suit your needs. Spreadsheets allow you to list tasks, indicate who is responsible for completing each task, and display the start and end dates for a project. You can also demonstrate progress by coloring spreadsheet boxes in accordance with the status of your tasks by updating your spreadsheet on a regular basis. Even though a spreadsheet generally needs manual upkeep, it can display all of the crucial project management data.
What is a Gantt chart?
A bar chart known as a Gantt chart is used to show project tasks, progress, and deadlines. Gantt charts are used by project managers to schedule projects and keep track of team performance. A Gantt chart’s two axes assist in organizing crucial project information. Project tasks are displayed on the vertical axis, and the project’s overall timeline is displayed on the horizontal axis.
A Gantt chart can be made manually or using online tools. Numerous useful features are included in Gantt chart software, such as important project deadlines, task start and end dates, and the employee in charge of each task. The majority of Gantt chart software packages can also automate actions to update a task’s progress. Certain programs may also communicate with the digital calendar of the team and offer updates and deadline reminders.
Benefits of charting project schedules
A company and its project teams can benefit greatly from using charts for project schedules. Professionals primarily use charts to plan and manage projects, but they can also be useful for fostering team collaboration and allocating resources for the project. Other benefits include:
Clarifying project expectations
Many of the essential details that workers need to complete a project, like start dates, task owners, and instructions on how to perform tasks, are provided in charts. This makes the project objectives clear and outlines each team member’s duties. Charts may also assist team members in determining who to contact with any project-related inquiries or worries. Providing this clarity can improve the quality of the project.
Improving communication and collaboration
Establishing a project schedule can help the project team communicate better. Because team members can see the process and how each task relates to another, the display of a chart can also promote collaboration. This facilitates collaboration between team members who are working on related tasks. Some charts also display a project’s progress, which can improve team communication by allowing team members to see which tasks still need to be completed.
Increasing productivity
Because they make clear the steps that teams must take to complete the project deliverable, charts can increase productivity. Employees may more frequently meet deadlines thanks to the visual representation and progress updates. People may see upcoming tasks on task charts, which helps them get ready and enables them to move on to new tasks once they finish previous assignments. This reduces downtime and increases overall productivity.
Optimizing the use of resources
Throughout a project, project managers are in charge of evaluating and allocating resources. They can visualize some resources, like human labor and technology, by using a chart. For instance, the manager can schedule these tasks at different points in the project or assign both tasks to the same employee in order to make efficient use of the resource if the company only has one of the required devices and two tasks call for it.
Providing accountability to individual team members
It is simple to assign responsibility and hold team members accountable for their part in completing a project because many charts show who completes each task. Giving workers a sense of ownership over their work may inspire them to deliver superior outcomes. Additionally, this guarantees that everyone contributes in order to finish a project.
Managing project progress and goals
Because they provide a visual for the timeline and tasks of a project and indicate when tasks are completed, charts can make the process of tracking project goals simpler. Because each project task is delegated to a team member by the manager, some charts can show individual progress. With the aid of this feature, staff members can monitor their development and set their own objectives.
10 Best Microsoft Project Alternatives
FAQ
Are Gantt charts still useful?
The project management community still uses Gantt charts frequently due to their visualization and tracking capabilities. They do, however, fall short in some areas compared to contemporary project management software.
Does Google have a Gantt chart?
Project managers can monitor tasks and project status using PERT and Gantt charts. Gantt charts display tasks and timelines in a bar graph, while PERT charts show tasks in a network diagram and highlight dependencies. Both belong in the work breakdown structure (WBS) of the PMBOK.
What is a PERT chart used for?
Google Gantt charts show the beginning, middle, and end of each task in a project as well as any dependencies each task might have. Google Gantt charts are rendered in the browser using SVG. Gantt charts, like all Google charts, show tooltips when the user hovers over the data.
