When creating software project schedule, we begin with a set of tasks. If automated tools are used, the work breakdown is input as a task network or task outline. Effort, duration and start date are then input for each task, In addition, tasks may be assigned to specific individuals. As a consequence of this input, a time-line chart, also called a Gantt chart is generated. A time-line chart can be developed for the entire project. The figure below depicts a part of a software project schedule that emphasizes scoping task for a word-processing (WP) software product. All project tasks are listed in the left-hand column. The horizontal bars indicate the duration of each task. When multiple bars occur at the same time on the calendar, task concurrency is implied. The diamond indicates milestones. Once the information necessary for the generation of a time-line chart has been input, the majority of software project scheduling tools produce project tables – a tabular listing of all project tasks, their planned and actual start and end dates, and a variety of related information. Used in conjunction with the time-line chart, project tables enable to track progress.
Application of Gantt Chart * The sheer simplicity and ease-of-access of all relevant information make Gantt charts an ideal choice for teams to use them for organizing their schedules. Due to this, Gantt charts are widely used in project management, IT and development teams. * Apart from them, marketing, engineering, product launch, manufacturing teams can also use Gantt charts to get an overview of how things are rolling on the work front.