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"I'll be happy if I never see another Gantt Chart."
Jim Rapoza writing in eWeek, Sept 12, 2005, seems to miss the old good days of project management, when project management software was just project management — Gantt charts and PERT diagrams. Project management features and functions have been grafted onto more general purpose applications from MS Office to wikis and portals. Jim acknowledges that the differences in project characteristics keeps us from using a one-size-fits-all approach of the ol' days — pick your system wisely. But it appears Jim doesn't miss much about the old systems. He finishes his editorial, "I'll be happy if I never see another Gantt Chart." Hear, hear!
? Guy Kawasaki wrote, "Less is the new more." Easy to learn: symmetry, seduction, subtraction, and sustainability. Very valuable to do. Step 1: Read Matt's book!! just 140 keystrokes.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I never saw the point of Gantt charts either. But what do you replace them with. I am still searching for perfect project overview chart. Pity Edward Tufte hasn’t suggested something!
I see value in Gantt charts for communicating about the project with anyone who is visually oriented.
I believe project management, as any other management process, is an evolutionary one. Most management processes were developed with one application in mind and then changed for other use. That said, only uselful tools remain alive or morphed into bigger and better systems. I remember the days, as a young engineer, of preparing CPM charts by hand on very large charts. It was always better to put together a gantt chart on the back of an envelope to analize projects. Although, not the thrust of the article, gantt charts are any easy quick way of getting the point across to clients.
My managers and team members always benefit from some type of visual representation of the project timeline. I’ve found that Visio has a timeline template that makes it easy to show the big picture with.
I struggle with the amount of detail (or not) to include in my project plans, but whatever the level of detail, a visual representation such as a Gantt chart, is a key output.
I share your collective views that visual representations of projects are valuable in conveying key aspects of projects. I have no idea why Jim Rapozza says he’ll be happy if he never sees another Gantt chart. I can say that in far too many circumstances Gantt charts are quickly prepared by a single person. The kind of collaborative planning that is needed from the project performers never occurs. The chart looks like planning has finished rather than a point for real planning to begin. Also, I think we need much better ways of conveying visually the relationships that make the network of commitment function well. It would be great to get Edward Tufte’s help on this!
“The chart looks like planning has finished rather than a point for real planning to begin.” You speak the truth, Hal. Perhaps a Gantt can be improved to show its weakness. If project performers were to start there, how would a Gantt chart visually and graphically depict project performer input and committment? Wouldn’t it be great to publish a Gantt chart that, over time, indicates not only project progress, but collaborative planning progress – especially if there is none? Instead of red bars for the critical path, how about red for commitment made? Maybe we would seek it if we see it lacking ….
“Also, I think we need much better ways of conveying visually the relationships that make the network of commitment function well.” And I could see this being done in a Gantt – MS Project and the others support custom bar formats, which could be based on a field value that reflects the commitment status. And of course, Gantt charts have network capabilities.