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Gantt chart provides a simple visualization of the project's tasks associated with a construction project. It is one of the simplest tools used for construction project scheduling. Each job or activity is represented by a bar that defines the start, end, and duration of the task. Gantt charts schedule and plan projects of all sizes. It shows the work planned on a specific day and other information.
The article explains the essential features of the Gantt chart, its advantages, and its disadvantages.
Contents:
Features of Gantt Chart
Gantt diagram or Gantt chart is a timeline bar chart developed by the American engineer Henry L.Gantt between 1903 and 1917. The technique is simple, consisting of various project tasks represented with respect to the X and Y-axis.
Gantt chart is a popular method that works for small and large construction projects. Gantt chart is the most common scheduling technique used in the construction industry. The technique conveys the information easily, even to the personnel who are unfamiliar with scheduling works.
A Gantt charts displays:
- The project start date
- The complete tasks of the project
- The person in charge of each task
- The Start and finish of each task
- The duration of each task
- The tasks that come under a group
- The tasks that overlap with each other
- The tasks that are linked
- The finish date of the project
Gantt chart is used in construction projects under the following circumstances:
- To communicate the complete plan and status of the project.
- To accurately monitor the tasks within the projects.
- To get an idea about the project proposals.
- To instruct a process or sequence of working.
- To demonstrate the tasks that are dependent on the completion of the previous job.
How to Build a Gantt Chart?
The necessary steps involved in the development of the Gantt chart are:
1. Determine the activities from start to end of the project. Identify the milestones that exist within the project.
2. Find out the time required to complete each task or activity. Analyze and set the order of each task from start to end.
3. Take a drawing paper and make a vertical & horizontal axis. The x-axis represents the time, and Y-axis is the area to mention individual tasks. Mention the tasks in the y-axis along with their milestone from top to bottom.
4. Each task is represented by a rectangular bar that starts from start time and ends at the finish time of the job. If there is any activity that must occur at a particular time, represent it using a diamond under the time at which the activity happens (Fig.1)
The Gantt chart shown above is a simple project schedule for seven main tasks. The duration of each task is marked in months. From the figure-2, the time duration of activity " Layout and facilities" is one month. The activity "demolition" commences after the activity 'A.' Also, the activities B and C are performed and started simultaneously.
5. A blank rectangular bar represents the activities that start at a specific time and ends at the project end.
6. Represent every task of the project in the Gantt chart without fail. With the completion of the task, fill the respective rectangle bar or diamond.
Advantages of Gantt Chart in Construction Management
The main advantages of Gantt Chart are:
- Easy representation of project schedule and activities.
- Gantt chart gives a simple representation of the tasks, sub-tasks, and milestones on the graph.
- It helps to plan by day, week, month, or year.
- Effective management of the team is possible.
- Simple representation of dates and time frames are possible.
- Efficient time management
- It is an excellent tool for communication in team meetings.
- Gantt chart communication assists in having good coordination within the team.
- The team members allotted for a particular task are viewed easily.
- Work progress, pending, and completed are easily observed.
- Project status can be easily viewed.
Disadvantages of Gantt Chart in Construction Management
- A regular update of the Gantt chart is a complex process.
- The single view does not display the whole tasks.
- The creation and management of the Gantt chart is a tough process.
- The rectangular block represents the time and not the amount of work.
- Realigning of tasks from one section to another is not easy.
FAQs on Gantt Chart
Read More:
Gantt chart is one of the simplest visualizations of project tasks associated with construction project scheduling. Each job or activity is represented by a bar whose length represents the Start, end, and duration of the task. Gantt diagram or Gantt chart is a timeline bar chart developed by the American engineer Henry L.Gantt between 1903 and 1917.
Gantt chart is used in construction projects under the following circumstances:
To communicate the complete plan and status of the project.
To accurately monitor the tasks within the projects.
To get an idea about the proposals for a simple project.
To instruct a process or sequence of working.
To demonstrate the tasks that are dependent on the completion of the previous task.
A Gantt chart represents the following elements:
1. The project start date
2. The complete tasks of the project
3. The person in charge of each task
4. The Start and finish of each task
5. The duration of each task
6. The tasks that come under a group
7. The tasks that overlap with each other
8. The tasks that are linked
9. The finish date of the project
Gantt chart is a widespread method that works for small and large construction projects. Gantt chart is the most common scheduling technique used in the construction industry. The technique conveys the information easily, even to personnel unfamiliar with scheduling works. It accurately communicates the project progress and delay. It is an effective tool to keep track of the project.
