Gantt charts are reference charts most commonly used for tracking the progress of a project or multiple projects. The Gantt chart shows all of the pertinent information for a project or group of projects to sum up, at a glance, what the statuses concerning time, activity and expected completion dates are. The first Gantt charts were drawn up and maintained by hand; a daunting task for a single
. project and a nightmare for tracking multiple projects. Thankfully, modern computing technologies make employing Gantt charts easy and simple. The secret to a successful Gantt chart is including as much information as possible, without overloading the quick-view format. This is accomplished with a style of spreadsheet that shows the progress of projects over time, while also identifying and managing the various projects and their individual elements. These types of charts are extremely useful for keeping up with set timetables and ensuring that the best use of time is being utilized. The Gantt chart also shows when projects are scheduled to start and stop, in addition to when projects will occupy the same time frames. This is crucial for managers and supervisors to coordinate efforts in the best possible manner, while making the best use of available resources at the same time. There are several versions of ready-made Gantt charts available online, both as software programs and as stand-alone charts that can be printed and filled in as needed. One of the most popular of these programs is the Microsoft Project package, at www.Office.Microsoft.com, though many users have opted to make their own versions and share them online. Some alternative options for templates and template-making programs are found at: www.Gantt.com, www.GanttChartTemplate.com and www.CNet.com. Taking the time to review all of the options available allows users to find the perfect chart template for their particular needs, without having to use overly complicated charts not suited to particular projects. More Reference Links: http://office.microsoft.com/ http://www.gantt.com/
