30 Best Gantt Chart Makers For Project Planning Clarity In 2025
10 Best Gantt Chart Maker Shortlist
Have a quick look at the Gantt chart maker tools I reviewed in this post:
Get free help from our project management software advisors to find your match.
The best Gantt chart makers let you plan and manage projects with a clear, visual timeline that makes it easy to map out tasks, manage dependencies, and track milestones. Without a Gantt chart, you'll miss deadlines, struggle to track progress accurately, and run into miscommunications that delay delivery and erode accountability.
I've used my 15+ years of experience in project management to thoroughly test and review 30+ Gantt chart maker tools. I've covered key features and use cases for each tool so you can find the right option that supports your team's workflows and helps you coordinate cross-functional teams, map out product launches, and juggle overlapping deadlines with control and clarity.
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We’ve been testing and reviewing Gantt chart maker software since 2012. As project managers ourselves, we know how critical and challenging it is to choose the right software.
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The Best Gantt Chart Maker Comparison Chart
Use this table to compare specs for my Gantt chart maker picks side-by-side.
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best for custom task views | 14-day free trial + free plan available | From $7/user/month | Website | |
| 2 | Best for visual progress tracking | 14-day free trial + free plan available | From $8/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 3 | Best for agency project timelines | Free trial available | From $9/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 4 | Best for scalability | 10-day free trial + free plan available | From $4/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 5 | Best for complex, multi-layered tasks | 14-day free trial | From $29/user/month (billed annually, min 5 seats) | Website | |
| 6 | Best for interactive whiteboards | Free plan available | From $8/user/month | Website | |
| 7 | Best for detailed project planning | 30-day free trial | From $10/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 8 | Best for design collaboration | Free plan available | From $15/seat/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 9 | Best for easy-to-use templates | Free plan available | From $14.99/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 10 | Best for agile teams | Free trial available | From $8.25/user/month (billed annually) + free plan available | Website |
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Accelo
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.4 -
monday.com
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.6 -
Wrike
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.2
Best Gantt Chart Maker Reviews
Here’s my summary of each Gantt chart software tool on my list:
ClickUp is a comprehensive work management solution that offers a Gantt chart maker among several other features like whiteboarding, goal setting, document management, and more.
Why I picked ClickUp: I chose GlickUp's Gantt chart maker for this list because it is friendly, intuitive, and comprehensive. It can help you manage deadlines and dependencies, mitigate bottlenecks, and outline tasks. It also lets you set cascading priorities and zoom in or out on the details of a project.
The other main reason I chose this software for my list is its team collaboration features. Whiteboards let your team brainstorm and map out their ideas, commenting and live chat keeps everyone in the loop, and proofing allows for feedback rounds and approvals. I think this is a great tool to supplement the Gantt chart maker and help your team create workflows that work for everyone.
ClickUp Standout Features & Integrations
Features include a critical path tool that provides intelligent dependency-path tracking to help reveal potential bottlenecks in your project plans and roadmaps. Moreover, the system allows you to connect projects, tasks, documents, ideas, and goals to create a holistic overview of the work getting done across your organization.
Integrations include Slack, Google Workspace, Dropbox, Figma, Vimeo, Zoom, Box, and Microsoft Teams. You can also use Zapier for additional integrations, or build custom integrations using the software's API.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Unlimited file storage with all paid plans
- 50+ widgets to customize your dashboard
- Unlimited users with free plan
Cons:
- Storage, projects, and custom fields limited in free plan
- Reporting not available in free plan
monday.com is a work management platform that does many things related to project planning and resource tracking. Gantt charts are just one of the key features offered in this work management suite.
Why I picked monday.com: This platform's customizability is what ultimately earned its spot on my list. I like how the platform lets you craft Gantt charts with the specific information you need, and set them up for managing schedules, projects, and product roadmaps. In addition to Gantt charts, you can access Kanban, timeline, and workload views. To get your Gantt chart set up quickly and use existing data, you can import a spreadsheet from Excel, which makes this a great tool for teams just starting to use Gantt charts.
monday.com Standout Features & Integrations
Features include interactive dependencies that let you link tasks so changes to one automatically the linked ones to maintain consistent timelines. The charts also integrate with goal and resource management features to help teams align project timelines with strategic objectives and monitor allocation directly from the chart view.
Integrations include Dropbox, Excel, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Integromat, Slack, Trello, and even more through a paid plan with Zapier.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Complete work management platform
- Free-forever plan available
- User-friendly and intuitive interface
Cons:
- Gantt charts not included in basic or free plan
- Limited storage in basic and free plans
New Product Updates from monday.com
AI-Powered Workflow Solutions with Monday Magic
monday.com has introduced "monday magic," an AI tool that allows users to create work solutions by describing their workflow in a prompt, providing instant, developer-free results. For more details, visit monday.com's website.
Bonsai Agency Software is a comprehensive business management platform tailored for agencies, consulting firms, and professional services. It offers features such as client, financial, and project management.
Why I picked Bonsai Agency Software: Bonsai helps you manage multiple projects across your portfolio with its Gantt charts that outline project timelines and progress. You can organize tasks into clear phases and deadlines, allowing you to see progress at a glance. The visual layout helps keep everything in order, whether you're working on a single project or juggling multiple ones at once. You’ll also find task assignment tools that make it simple to delegate work to your team and keep workload and capacity limits in clear view.
Bonsai Agency Software Standout Features & Integrations
Features include Gantt charts with built-in capacity and workload tracking that allow you to visually balance resources while keeping projects on schedule. Bonsai’s Gantt charts also support task prioritization and progress tracking to give teams a clear view of milestones, deadlines, and dependencies to ensure projects stay on track.
Integrations include QuickBooks Online, Zapier, Calendly, Xero, Google Sheets, Slack, and HubSpot.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Integrated project financial management
- Visibility across all your projects
- Good client management features
Cons:
- Limitations with scalability
- Mobile app is limited compared to the desktop version
Zoho Projects is a project management software with a built-in Gantt chart maker. It's a highly detailed solution, helping you ensure no important information gets lost.
Why I picked Zoho Projects: In my experience, this platform's interactive Gantt charts are easy to create, manage, and update, but I added it to my list primarily because of how detail-oriented it is. I love that you can set up four different types of task dependencies to make it clear how different aspects of your project are interconnected. You can also assign specific time delays between dependencies, makes it a great option for teams that want precise, to-the-minute workflows. Your Gantt chart is also color-coded to differentiate tasks and resources as needed. If you need to adjust on the fly, it's easy to do with the drag-and-drop interface.
Zoho Projects Standout Features & Integrations
Features include advanced customization options, such as setting unique colors for tasks, adjusting task visibility, and customizing chart views to align with specific project needs. Zoho Projects also provides critical path analysis within the Gantt chart, which lets you identify tasks that are essential for meeting project deadlines.
Integrations include all the Zoho apps, Google Workspace, Microsoft Suite, Jira, Basecamp, Box, Dropbox, GitHub, GitLab, Zendesk, and Slack, among others. You can also connect to Zapier for additional integrations.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Free plan for up to 2 projects
- Task automation through the Blueprint feature
- Connects easily with the complete Zoho product suite
Cons:
- Takes time to learn the platform
- Subtasks not available in free plan
New Product Updates from Zoho Projects
Zoho Projects Revamped Settings Panel Layout
The Settings panel layout in Zoho Projects has been revamped to ensure the last module remains visible, enhancing usability when configuring flows. For more details, visit Zoho Flow Release Notes.
Ravetree is an all-in-one work management platform designed for project-driven teams. It combines project management, time tracking, resource planning, and billing into a single system.
Why I picked Ravetree: Ravetree's Gantt chart feature lets you map out tasks on a timeline and set dependencies between them. You can create parent-child task relationships, and when you move a parent task, its child tasks adjust automatically. This makes it easier to manage complex projects with multiple layers of tasks. You can also customize Gantt chart columns to show details like assignee, phase, and priority. This flexibility lets you tailor the chart to your needs and makes it easier to track progress and responsibilities.
Ravetree Standout Features & Integrations
Features include the ability to create repeating tasks, which is useful for assignments that occur regularly. You can build detailed project and task templates to speed up work. Ravetree offers client portals so you can give clients real-time visibility into projects and the ability to review files and submit requests.
Integrations include Harvest, Toggl, Todoist, Excel, Trello, Resource Guru, Monday.com, Favro, and Asana.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Effective time and expense tracking
- Integrated CRM for client management
- Real-time project financial tracking
Cons:
- Could offer more native integrations
- Could offer more advanced automation features
Miro is a collaborative online whiteboard with over 1,000 templates including mind maps, Kanban boards, Gantt charts, product wireframes, research boards, and flowcharts.
Why I picked Miro: This platform made it onto my list because of how flexible it is. It offers a variety of visual tools like flowcharts, tables, and mind maps. The platform lets you include diverse content types—numerical data, images, and videos—on an infinite canvas.
You can also import charts from other applications, like Visio, and use quick diagram tools for efficient modifications. Miro integrates with key project documentation tools such as Notion, Confluence, Asana, and monday.com, to allow for seamless connection between planning and workflow management. This makes it a practical choice for collaborative project management.
Miro Standout Features & Integrations
Features include Miro's TalkTrack feature, which lets you create asynchronous videos to explain processes. You can set timers, voting, comments and stickies to facilitate brainstorming and ideation. The interactive presentation mode is also good for sharing Gantt charts with your team or stakeholders.
Integrations include Zoom, Figma, Asana, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Slack, Google Drive, Box, Confluence, monday.com, Airtable, Notion, Azure, and Webex. Some integrations are limited to paid plans only.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Built-in communication features
- Intuitive and easy setup
- Free forever plan available
Cons:
- No high-quality PDF export with free plan
- Zooming can be jumpy on larger projects
Microsoft Project is a project management software developed and sold by Microsoft. It is designed to assist project managers in planning, tracking, and managing projects of various sizes and complexities, often through features such as its Gantt chart maker.
Why I picked Microsoft Project: If you're anything like me, you're almost too familiar with the Microsoft Office Suite. Microsoft Project Online uses familiar software UI to give you an intuitive way to visualize project angles. I personally think that MS Project Online is a great example of Gantt chart template software as it offers loads of built-in templates and scheduling tools that make it easy to launch and navigate each assignment. The Gantt chart builder lets you select items for phase indicators, start and end dates, and RAG risk status.
Microsoft Project Standout Features & Integrations
Features include baseline comparison capabilities, which let you track progress against initial plans and identify deviations. Microsoft Project integrates visual heatmaps and resource leveling within the Gantt chart view to help you identify over-allocations and optimize workloads.
Integrations include other Microsoft software, like Outlook, Excel, Skype, and more.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Integration with other Microsoft software
- Helpful project template descriptions for guidance
- Driver prioritization module for ranking strategies/objectives
Cons:
- Steep learning curve
- Limited customization options
FigJam is an online whiteboard tool designed to facilitate real-time collaboration among team members, providing a dynamic platform for a variety of activities including brainstorming, diagramming, and strategic planning.
Why I Picked FigJam: I chose FigJam by Figma as a 'gantt chart maker' because of its capacity for real-time collaboration, which is crucial for maintaining up-to-date project timelines and ensuring team alignment. What makes FigJam different is its integration of AI features that can generate custom templates and automate repetitive tasks, which can be particularly useful when creating and updating Gantt charts.
I believe FigJam is best for real-time team collaboration because it not only allows team members to work together synchronously with audio and live chat but also supports asynchronous communication through comments and reactions, ensuring that all team members, regardless of their location or time zone, can contribute to the project planning process.
FigJam Standout Features & Integrations
Features include real-time brainstorming tools that enable teams to collaborate on timelines while discussing project details via live audio, chat, and interactive stamps. FigJam also supports asynchronous contributions through comments and reactions, allowing global teams to refine and update Gantt charts even outside live sessions.
Integrations include Figma, Microsoft Teams, Asana, Jira, Mixpanel, and Github.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- User-friendly and intuitive interface
- Integrates with Figma for design collaboration
- Offers community templates for various uses
Cons:
- Onboarding and account support locked to enterprise plan
- No offline access available
Canva is an online design platform built to be user-friendly for non-design experts. It offers templates for all kinds of things, from Gantt charts to slide decks, infographics, social media assets, and more.
Why I picked Canva: I'm a big fan of this software's simple, straightforward drag-and-drop interface. It is easy to use, even for the least tech-savvy among us. I chose Canva for this list because not only is it intuitive, it also comes with a ton of templates that are ready to go. You can select from the hundreds of thousands of templates available, and customize them to meet your needs. In my opinion, Canva's free plan is a fantastic, quick way to create a presentation-ready Gantt chart at no cost. Plus, you'll be able to use the platform for other design needs too.
Canva Standout Features & Integrations
Features include dynamic design elements like icons, photos, and animations, which can be used to make timelines engaging and presentation-ready. Canva supports exporting Gantt charts in multiple formats, including high-resolution images, PDFs, and presentations to offer flexible ways to share charts with stakeholders or teams.
Integrations include WordPress, eClincher, Rippling, Sendible, Post Planner, and Viraltag.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Presentable product, no designer needed
- Hundreds of thousands of templates
- Super user-friendly and intuitive
Cons:
- Limited download options with free plan
- Lacks advanced Gantt chart features
MeisterTask is a task and project management tool designed primarily for Agile teams. The tool has a Gantt chart-like timelines feature, as well as Kanban boards, custom dashboards, and the ability for team members to create personal agendas organized to fit their way of working. MeisterTask is intuitive and simple to use, with a clean interface.
Why I picked MeisterTask: I chose MeisterTask for this list because its timeline feature works similarly to a Gantt chart, displaying all tasks within a project according to their due dates and the order in which they should be completed. Users can drag-and-drop to adjust deadlines and add tasks, as well as colour-code items on the timeline. The ability to sort and filter tasks on the timeline is also handy for zooming in on tasks and focusing on what requires your attention.
MeisterTask Standout Features & Integrations
Features include automations to trigger notifications or updates across project views. It supports collaborative task management so multiple team members can add, edit, or comment on tasks, as well as personalized dashboards, which give team members a customized view of their timeline tasks.
Integrations include Google Workspace, Slack, and GitHub — in addition to over two thousand applications via Zapier (may require a paid plan).
Pros and cons
Pros:
- User-friendly and easy to navigate
- Easy to create and assign tasks
- Free plan for up to 3 projects
Cons:
- Roles and permissions not included in lower-tier plans
- Personal agendas not included in free plan
Other Gantt Chart Maker Software
The tools above aren’t the only Gantt chart creators out there. Here are some other Gantt tools that deserve an honorable mention.
- Backlog
For bug tracking
- think-cell
For data-driven presentations
- ProjectManager
Gantt chart maker for enterprises
- FunctionFox
For custom views and filtering
- Birdview
With resource management capabilities
- Office Timeline
For timeline creation
- Visor
For spreadsheet integration
- Gantter
For AI recommendations
- Height
For providing guest access
- MindView
For work breakdown structures
- GanttPRO
For project management
- Smartsheet
For enterprises
- Celoxis
For advanced Gantt charts
- airfocus
For custom priorities
- Productive
For comprehensive agency work management
- Wrike
With automated project scheduling
- Instagantt
Professional-looking project planning features
- Hive
Gantt chart maker for team collaboration
- RationalPlan
That follows the PMBOK guidelines
- Paymo
Gantt chart maker with built-in invoicing
Check out our video on the best Gantt chart makers:
Related Project Management Reviews
If you still haven't found what you're looking for here, check out these other project management tool reviews we've curated for you:
- Productivity Tools
- Project Tracking Software
- Project Scheduling Software
- Project Management Software
- Resource Management Software
- Workflow Automation Software
- Project Management Software with Gantt Charts
Selection Criteria for Gantt Chart Makers
When selecting the best Gantt chart maker to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like the ability to easily track project timelines and collaborate with team members. I used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Create and edit Gantt charts
- Track project progress with milestones
- Assign tasks to team members
- Visualize dependencies between tasks
- Export Gantt charts in multiple formats
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- Integration with popular project management tools
- Real-time collaboration features
- Customizable templates for Gantt charts
- Advanced resource management tools
- AI-powered scheduling recommendations
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I looked for the following:
- An intuitive drag-and-drop interface
- Clear and visually appealing chart designs
- Easy navigation between projects
- Simple task updates and changes
- Low system lag for large projects
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered whether the tool offers:
- Access to interactive product tours
- Ready-to-use templates for quick setup
- Comprehensive training videos and documentation
- Live chat or chatbot support during setup
- Webinars or demo sessions for new users
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered whether the Gantt chart maker offers:
- 24/7 customer support availability
- A detailed knowledge base or FAQs
- Multiple contact methods such as email, chat, and phone
- Responses to inquiries within a reasonable timeframe
- Proactive outreach for problem resolution
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered whether the tool has the following:
- Flexible pricing plans for different team sizes
- Free trials or freemium options
- Advanced features at a competitive price
- All necessary features in base pricing tiers
- Hidden fees or surprise costs
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered whether customer reviews covered the following:
- Ease of use and user-friendliness
- Reliability and uptime performance
- Satisfaction with customer support
- Perceived value for money
- Overall project management effectiveness
How to Choose Gantt Chart Maker Software
It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:
| Factor | What to Consider |
|---|---|
| Scalability | Make sure the tool can handle your growing team and increasingly complex projects without slowing down. |
| Integrations | Check whether the software connects with the tools you already use, like project management software, CRMs, or cloud storage. |
| Customizability | Look for options to tailor Gantt charts with custom fields, colors, or layouts that suit your team’s workflow. |
| Ease of Use | Make sure the interface is intuitive so your team can start using it quickly without extensive training. |
| Budget | Compare pricing plans and make sure the features you need are included without requiring costly add-ons. |
| Security Safeguards | Verify the platform has strong data protection measures like encryption and user access controls to keep your projects safe. |
| Collaboration | Confirm it supports team collaboration with features like task commenting, real-time updates, and file sharing. |
| Reporting Tools | Check whether it provides clear, actionable reports to help track progress and make data-driven decisions. |
Trends In Gantt Chart Makers For 2025
Here’s a sneak peek into some Gantt chart maker trends we anticipate to continue developing this year:
- Better visual interfaces: Software like Smartsheet and ClickUp have undertaken significant interface improvements to make project visualization more intuitive, colorful, and interactive.
- Artificial intelligence integration: Tools like Hive and Height are offering AI features that can automate time-consuming tasks and provide predictive insights. This is particularly useful for resource allocation and risk identification, and can help reduce your workload.
- Real-time collaboration plug-ins: With the decrease in specialized software, more tools are offering plug-ins and integrations that allow users to discuss, share files, and make decisions without leaving the platform.
What Is a Gantt Chart Maker?
A Gantt chart maker is a project management tool for creating Gantt charts—visual project timelines—and using them to track progress. You can use Gantt chart software to map out tasks, durations, start and end dates, dependencies, the critical path, and resources.
Gantt chart diagram programs also often include features for task assignment and resource allocation, and can help simplify project planning and allow for clarity and alignment on the project plan and project progress.
Features of Gantt Chart Maker Software
I've found the following Gantt chart maker features to be most instrumental for effective project management:
- Project work visual tracking: This feature offers a comprehensive visual overview of all project tasks in a timeline view. This can include other views, like Kanban board views, calendar views, and other formats for visualizing the project plan and tracking project progress.
- Critical path analysis: With this feature, the software lets you pinpoint and highlight essential tasks that directly impact the project timeline, so you can make sure critical tasks don't fall through the cracks.
- Resource allocation: Gantt Chart software should provide clear insights into how resources, such as manpower and tool usage, are distributed across tasks. You should be able to schedule team members and assign work based on capacities and skill sets.
- Progress tracking: The software should provide instant updates on task progress, so you can keep the project on track. This helps you quickly identify delays and mitigate potential issues.
- Drag-and-drop interface: An intuitive drag-and-drop interface simplifies task scheduling and reordering, so you can make sure you're using time and resource efficiently
- Task dependencies mapping: This feature helps establish connections between various tasks so the team's is aware when a task's delay impacts successive tasks. You should be able to schedule tasks, create subtasks, and set task dependencies and due dates.
- Collaborative features: The tool should allow team members to share updates, comment on tasks, and coordinate effectively. Effective collaboration contributes to delivering projects on time.
- Reporting and analytics: Gantt Chart software should offer advanced reporting capabilities for project health, progress, and performance. This lets you quickly make corrective measures if you're going off track.
- Workload balancing: This feature helps you visualize each team member's task load so you can make sure work is distributed equally and that no single team member is overwhelmed.
While these features are common in this software category, products are constantly changing. Therefore, consider the product's update frequency. As noted by Robyn Birkedal:
One thing to keep in mind is how often a tool updates. New features can be great, but if you’re not keeping up, it can feel overwhelming when the interface changes unexpectedly.
Benefits of Gantt Chart Maker Software
Here are five primary benefits of Gantt chart maker software:
- Streamlined project management: Gantt chart software provides a central platform for managing all project tasks. This consolidated approach allows you to maintain oversight over task progress, resource allocation, and deadlines, as well as drive improved project delivery.
- Improved team collaboration: Team members can share updates, offer feedback, and maintain clear communication. This makes sure everyone is aligned on project goals and can stay productive.
- Efficient resource allocation: Gantt chart software lets you visualize and manage resource distribution effectively. By assigning resources strategically, you can make sure utilization is optimal, improve project outcomes, and avoid resource burnout.
- Identify and mitigate project risks: Advanced analytics provided by Gantt chart software allow you to spot potential roadblocks and manage risks in a timely manner. This lets you solves problems proactively and minimize project delays.
- Better decision making: With comprehensive reporting and insights, Gantt chart software equips you and your stakeholders with the data necessary to make informed decisions. You'll remove guesswork from the equation and help steer projects towards success based on solid evidence.
Costs & Pricing For Gantt Chart Makers
Below is a table outlining the different plan options and their pricing for Gantt chart software:
| Plan Name | Price (per user/month) | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Basic Gantt chart functionality, limited users and projects |
| Basic | $5 - $10 | Gantt chart creation, task dependencies, basic reporting, limited users and projects |
| Standard | $10 - $20 | Advanced Gantt chart features, task scheduling, resource management, multiple users/projects |
| Premium | $20 - $50 | Advanced project scheduling, customizable Gantt charts, integrations, unlimited users/projects |
Common stages where your company may want to upgrade your pricing plan include:
- Project complexity increase: When projects become more complex, you may need to upgrade to a higher pricing tier to access advanced features.
- Team expansion: As your team grows, you might need to scale up your pricing tier to accommodate more user licenses, better collaboration tools, and more sophisticated permissions management.
- Integration needs: When you need to integrate your Gantt chart software with other tools like CRM, ERP, or project management suites, upgrading to a higher pricing tier can provide advanced integration capabilities.
- Data and reporting requirements: You might need to upgrade your pricing tier if you require advanced reporting, analytics, and data visualization features.
- Customer support and training: Higher levels of customer support, training, and onboarding become essential as your company scales, because it will help you use the tool effectively and maximize its benefits.
Gantt Chart Maker FAQs
Find answers to common questions about this topic.
What is a Gantt chart?
A Gantt chart is a visual representation of a timeline that shows dependencies and sequences in which tasks should be executed.
If you are a project manager, you have probably searched for a way to quickly whip up a Gantt chart online. The thing is, project managers aren’t the only ones that might need a Gantt chart. Virtually every individual task, project, department, or cross-functional effort of any kind could benefit from employing a simple Gantt chart to outline the starting point, progress, and intended destination.
What should a Gantt chart include?
Gantt charts include a visual timeline of the project schedule, with access to a rich array of chart templates based on project type. It has an overlay of interdependent tasks, and task duration (i.e. Task B cannot start until Task A is finished), task status, and assignees.
What exactly is included in your Gantt chart will also depend on what you’re using it for. There are a number of use cases for Gantt charts, so take into account its purpose when you’re building it. Most Gantt chart software programs also have task management and collaboration features, which are nice to have.
What are the advantages of a Gantt chart?
The major advantages of a Gantt chart include:
- Seeing a bird’s-eye view of any project.
- Effectively establishing and managing your project schedule.
- Being able to quickly assess how changes to specific project tasks impact the project timeline.
- The ability to understand task dependencies and monitor any potential risks to the schedule.
What is a Gantt chart used for?
A Gantt chart can be used in many ways. However, four key use cases for Gantt charts in project management are:
- Planning tasks
- Scheduling personnel
- Planning physical resources
- Tracking deadlines
Does Trello have Gantt charts?
Power-Ups, like TeamGantt, can be integrated with Trello to provide Gantt chart features to existing Trello customers. The core Trello app uses boards, lists, and cards, and promotes a Kanban-style of organization.
Fellow Atlassian product Jira can also be used to make a Gantt chart, and plugins are available to help. If you’re looking for software for managing projects with a Jira integration, this route is highly recommended.
Does Asana have Gantt charts?
Yes, Asana has Gantt charts. However, you can only unlock this as a view once you upgrade to the paid plans. So if you are thinking of using the free version, try other apps, like Height.
What is the best free Gantt chart software?
You can use Microsoft Excel to make a Gantt chart for free, or Google Sheets. You’ll find a template library for creating Gantt charts in those programs if you do a search online, although the templates might cost a few bucks. It works in a pinch, but it’s not great, as any task changes require manual adjustment and chart manipulation.
Other free Gantt chart software options available online include RedBooth, GanttProject, Bitrix24, Agantty, Teamweek, and Instagantt for Asana.
How do Gantt charts compare to Kanban boards in managing tasks?
Gantt charts and Kanban boards are like apples and oranges in the project management world. Gantt charts give us a timeline-based view, great for planning and tracking progress over time. They lay out who does what and when, which is ideal for projects with strict deadlines.
Kanban boards are about flexibility and ongoing tasks. They shine in environments where priorities shift often and help focus on work-in-progress so tasks move smoothly through different stages. While Gantt charts map out the project journey from start to finish, Kanban boards are about managing the flow of tasks. They are complementary tools depending on your project’s nature and needs.
What are the best practices for updating Gantt charts during a project?
Keeping your Gantt chart updated is crucial for reflecting the real-time status of your project. Here’s a quick rundown of how to update your Gantt chart:
- Regularly review and adjust timelines as tasks progress or delays occur.
- Engage with your team often to gather updates and insights on task completion.
- Make use of project management software that allows for easy adjustments and offers features like automatic notifications for changes.
- Perhaps most importantly, always communicate updates to stakeholders to make sure everyone is on the same page. This keeps your project transparent and manageable, allowing for proactive adjustments rather than reactive scrambles.
What are the main differences between free and paid Gantt chart makers?
The main differences between free and paid Gantt chart makers come down to features, customization, and support. Free versions typically offer basic features for small projects or teams just getting started. However, they may lack advanced features like in-depth customization options, integration capabilities, or detailed reporting and analytics.
Paid versions provide more sophisticated project management features, better security measures, dedicated customer support, and scalability options for larger teams or complex projects. Essentially, you’re looking at the trade-off between cost and capability—free tools cover the basics, while paid tools come with more powerful features.
What's Next?
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