A Ghant
Chart is a graphical representation of tasks as segments
of work across time. It helps plan and monitor project development or resource
allocation. The left hand side of the Ghant chart is a column with the work
breakdown structure (basically, a list of tasks). The left-to-right indicates
time progression, expressed either in absolute or relative time.
In a Ghant chart, each task occupies one row. Dates run along the top,
incremented as appropriate for the size of the project in question. Rows of
bars in the Ghant chart show the start and end dates of each task in the
project. Tasks may occur sequentially, in parallel, or even overlap.
Most project management software (such as Microsoft Project) allows project
management based on Ghant chart representation of project workflow. They offer
managerial toolsets to start, track and report projects.
Example Ghant Chart
History of the Ghant Chart
The Ghant chart was created by Henry L. Ghant, an American engineer, in 1917. He
developed the first Ghant chart for ship-building around World War I. The chart
proved to be so powerful and useful that it has not undergone any changes for
nearly a century. It was only in 1990's when links between tasks were added to
the Ghant chart.
Tip using Ghant Chart:
For large projects, tasks can be split into subtasks with their own Ghant charts
to maintain readability.
