How to Make a Project Schedule

Use of computer software is easier than pencil and paper.

Managers use project scheduling to organize their time for everything from running errands to
guiding the outcomes of huge business projects. Coordination of the time for all of the tasks
factor into the schedule. Developed by Henry aurence !antt for the building of the Hoover
Dam" the timeline chart called !antt Diagram is one of the most useful tools for project
management. #pecific software is available for purchase" but many people use the more familiar
Microsoft $%cel" which comes standard on many Microsoft operating systems to create their
!antt Diagram.
Difficulty&
Moderately $asy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
Microsoft $%cel or other spreadsheet software
!raph paper
'encil
o ( )pen Microsoft $%cel or some other spreadsheet software *or you can
use a large graph paper. +he difference will be that you can,t make
changes as easily on paper.- ist all of the tasks that are needed for
completion in Column . with one task in each cell starting in cell ./.
o / Decide how often you need to see progress *hourly" daily" weekly" among other
durations- and then put these units of time in succession in individual cells as
column headers starting with Column C. 0or e%ample" if your project is going to
take two months starting on .pril (" and you need to see daily progress" enter
.pril ( in cell C(" .pril / in cell D( and .pril 1 in cell $(.
o 1 $nter the length of time that you anticipate each of the tasks to take in Column
2. 0or e%ample" if the task listed in cell .3 is going to take five units of times to
complete" put a 4 in cell 23.
o 5 Determine the order in which tasks can be started. #ome tasks, beginnings are
dependent upon others completion. Choose a beginning date for the tasks that
you are going to start first. 0ind the cell that intersects the row and column for
the first task. 0or e%ample" if you want to start the task that is in cell .3 on .pril
6" and .pril 6 is the header for Column H" the intersecting cell would be H3. 0ill
that cell with color.
o 4 7ote *from Column 2- how many units of time will be re8uired for each task
and" starting with the intersecting cell fill as many cells after that on the row as
the number of time units. 9eeping with the same e%ample" say the task of .3
shows4 days in cell 23" fill cells H3" :3" ;3" 93 and 3 with color. +his creates a
bar of allotted time which you will then create for each task. +he overall effect
creates a modifiable visual for your project.