Gantt chart

A Gantt chart can define as a type of bar chart that illustrates a project schedule. These graphical illustrations of a schedule helps for plan, coordinate, and track specific tasks in a project .This chart illustrates the start and finish dates of the terminal elements and summary elements of the particular project.

It was developed in the year 1917 as a production control tool by Henry L. Gantt who is an American engineer and social scientist. Normally this type of charts are most commonly used for exhibiting program progress or defining specific work required to accomplish an objective.

Today's world Gantt chart is used to establish a precedence network that determines the priority level of each task associated with the project. In the same time it help to monitor whether the project is on schedule. If it is not, it allows to pinpoint the remedial action necessary to put it back on schedule

There are number of benefits of using a Gantt chart such as,

• Aids to plan out the tasks that need to be completed
  
• Give basis for scheduling when these tasks will be carried out
  
• Allow to assess how long a project should take, determine the resources needed and define the lay out the order in which tasks need to be carried out.
  
• Useful in managing the dependencies between tasks and for monitoring progress.
  
• Summarize elements and monitoring the progress of a project
  
• Visualizations of the project schedule makes it very easy for the project manager to communicate the project schedule to various stakeholders as well as to the project team