The Gantt Chart displays your project timeline, tasks, and dependencies. Tourism operators can use this chart to schedule experience development, track marketing campaign progress, and manage resource allocation, ensuring projects stay on track with experience launches and marketing campaigns.
Accessing this feature
Go to Projects > Select the project > Gantt Chart tab
How to use it
Understand the Layout
The Gantt Chart interface is divided into two primary sections. On the left, you will find a hierarchical list of all project tasks, including their names, assigned resources, and key dates. The right side displays the visual timeline, where tasks are represented as horizontal bars, illustrating their duration and position within the project schedule.
Adding New Tasks
To add a new task, locate the + Add Task button or click directly on an empty row in the task list on the left. Input the task name, and then specify its start date, end date, and estimated duration. Tasks can also be organised into sub-tasks by dragging them under a parent task, creating a structured Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
Adjusting Task Durations and Dates
Task bars on the timeline are interactive. To modify a task's duration, click and drag either end of its bar to extend or shorten it. To reschedule a task, click and drag the entire bar along the timeline to its new start and end dates. The corresponding dates in the task list will synchronise automatically.
Managing Task Dependencies
Establish relationships between tasks to ensure correct sequencing. To create a dependency, click on the end of a preceding task's bar and drag the line that appears to the beginning of the succeeding task's bar. This creates a 'Finish-to-Start' dependency, meaning the second task cannot start until the first is complete. Other dependency types (e.g., Start-to-Start, Finish-to-Finish) can be configured via the task details panel.
Assigning Resources
Assign team members or other resources to tasks from the task list. Click on the Assignee column for a task and select the relevant individual(s) from the dropdown list. This clarifies responsibilities and helps manage workload distribution across your project team.
Tracking Progress
Monitor task completion by updating the percentage complete. For each task, locate the progress indicator (often a slider or input field) in the task list or directly on the task bar. Adjust this value to reflect the current work completed, and the task bar will visually update to show progress.
Filtering and Sorting Views
Customise your Gantt Chart view to focus on specific aspects of your project. Use the filter options to display tasks by assignee, status, due date, or other criteria. Sorting options allow you to organise tasks alphabetically, by start date, or by priority, enhancing clarity and focus.
Zooming and Navigation
Adjust the timeline's granularity using the zoom controls, typically located at the top of the chart. You can view the project timeline by day, week, month, or year. Use the scrollbars or drag the timeline to move through different periods of your project schedule.
Tips
Break down your project into manageable tasks and sub-tasks before populating the Gantt Chart. A well-defined Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is foundational.
Accurately estimate the time required for each task. Overly optimistic estimates can lead to project delays and resource strain.
Identify and link task dependencies as soon as possible. This ensures tasks are sequenced logically and highlights potential bottlenecks.
Keep your Gantt Chart current by consistently updating task progress and completion percentages. An accurate chart is a useful chart.
Incorporate milestones to mark significant project phases, deliverables, or decision points. This helps in tracking major achievements.
Review resource assignments regularly to ensure an even distribution of work and to prevent team members from becoming overused or underused.
Pay close attention to tasks on the critical path. Delays to these tasks will directly impact the project's overall completion date.
If significant changes occur in the project schedule, communicate these updates to all relevant stakeholders and team members promptly.
The Gantt Chart is a living document. Periodically review the entire project schedule and make necessary adjustments to adapt to evolving project requirements or unforeseen challenges.
Need help?
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