<GANTT CHART> 

A GANTT CHART is an effective visual PLANNING tool for DISPLAYING ACTIVITIES/TASKS/EVENTS OVER TIME. ON THE LEFT OF THE CHART is a LIST of the ACTIVITIES and ALONG THE TOP IS THE TIMESCALE. Each activity is represented by a bar; the position and length of the bar shows the start date, the duration of each activity and the end date of the activity. 

This allows managers to see quickly:

• • • WHAT the main activities are.

    • WHEN each activity begins and ends.

    • HOW LONG each activity is scheduled to last.

    • WHERE activities OVERLAP with other activities – these are simultaneous activities which can be ‘done together’ to save the business time in completing the project.

    • THE START and END DATE of the whole project. This allows the business to inform customers when the project, such as a new building, is likely to be completed.

A Gantt chart therefore shows managers what has to be done (the activities) and when (the schedule).