Since Gantt charts are based on schedules and timelines, they are only useful if they convey accurate dates. Here are some best practices to keep in mind: In order to create the most effective Gantt charts, you need to feel confident about your approach to building, using, and maintaining your own Gantt sheets. But they lose their potency as soon as they become inaccurate, outdated, or overly complicated. Common pitfalls when creating Gantt charts Use a roadmap to capture the high-level strategy and a Gantt chart to show a more detailed view of the work - the phases, tasks, and milestones that the product and engineering teams must complete to achieve that strategy. But it is important to understand that both roadmaps and Gantt charts can actually be valuable (and even complementary) tools. This is why many agile teams use roadmaps instead of Gantts to visualize and communicate upcoming plans.
Some teams that follow agile software methodology view Gantt charts as a relic of waterfall. Consider using a Gantt chart if you are:Ī business leader defining a company strategy, refreshing a business plan, or planning to enter a new market.Ī product manager planning product releases and features.Ī product marketer coordinating cross-functional plans to launch a new product or release new functionality to market.Ī project manager working with development teams to deliver product requirements on a set schedule. Gantt charts are also useful for planning any type of time-driven or collaborative effort. This is why business leaders, product managers, and project managers commonly use Gantt calendars and diagrams - to give cross-functional teams an overview of upcoming work and align everyone around the timing of the plan.
The success of any new product development process relies on a clear plan that everyone can rally behind. Build your own Gantt chart Do you need a Gantt chart template? You can also modify each chart to meet the specific needs of your company and team. Choose from a variety of examples, from strategic to portfolio to release planning.
These free, downloadable templates make it easy to visualize what needs to be done and when. If you are not yet ready to do that, you can get started with the Excel and PowerPoint Gantt chart templates below. Visualize dependencies, collaborate with others, and make edits in real time - all in a single tool. With Aha! Roadmaps, you can build collaborative, cloud-based Gantt charts in minutes. Gantt charts are particularly useful for product development teams focused on planning, sharing, building, and launching new products and functionality. You can use Gantt charts in a variety of ways - to capture a strategic business plan, manage product releases, or visualize project tasks, to name a few examples. Gantt charts are useful tools for planning and scheduling work.
Because of the limited functionality, the free versions are not considered true Gantt chart software options.Create a cloud-based Gantt chart in Aha! Roadmaps during your free 30-day trial. *These tools also have a free offering with limited functionality. Or, if you're looking for a free or simple, one-off Gantt chart, consider the following tools. We compared the basic functionality of the top work and project management platforms to help you determine which is the best Gantt chart software for your organization. WorkApps Package your entire business program or project into a WorkApp in minutes.Digital asset management Manage and distribute assets, and see how they perform.Resource management Find the best project team and forecast resourcing needs.Intelligent workflows Automate business processes across systems.Governance & administration Configure and manage global controls and settings.
Streamlined business apps Build easy-to-navigate business apps in minutes.Integrations Work smarter and more efficiently by sharing information across platforms.Secure request management Streamline requests, process ticketing, and more.Process management at scale Deliver consistent projects and processes at scale.Content management Organize, manage, and review content production.Workflow automation Quickly automate repetitive tasks and processes.Team collaboration Connect everyone on one collaborative platform.Smartsheet platform Learn how the Smartsheet platform for dynamic work offers a robust set of capabilities to empower everyone to manage projects, automate workflows, and rapidly build solutions at scale.