Editing Gantt chart (section)

== Definition ==
A Gantt chart is a type of bar chart{{sfn|Klein|1999|p=49}}{{sfn|Richman|2002|pp=97, 117, 276}} that illustrates a project schedule.<ref name="Kumar 2005 pp. 13–21">{{cite journal |last=Kumar |first=Pankaja Pradeep |title=Effective Use of Gantt Chart for Managing Large Scale Projects |journal=Cost Engineering |publisher=American Association of Cost Engineers |location=Morgantown, WV |volume=47 |issue=7 |year=2005 |oclc=209778284 |issn=0274-9696 |pages=13–21}}</ref> This chart lists the tasks to be performed on the vertical axis, and time intervals on the horizontal axis.{{sfn|Klein|1999|p=49}}{{sfn|Richman|2002|pp=117, 276}} The width of the horizontal bars in the graph shows the duration of each activity.{{sfn|Richman|2002|pp=117, 276}}{{sfn|Selig|2008|p=235}} Gantt charts illustrate the start and finish dates of the terminal elements and summary elements of a [[project]].{{sfn|Project Management Institute|2021|loc=Glossary §3 Definitions}} Terminal elements and summary elements constitute the [[work breakdown structure]] of the project. Modern Gantt charts also show the [[Dependency (project management)|dependency]] (i.e., precedence network) relationships between activities. Gantt charts can be used to show current schedule status using percent-complete shadings and a vertical "TODAY" line.

Gantt charts are sometimes equated with bar charts.{{sfn|Selig|2008|p=235}}{{sfn|Flouris|Lock|2012|p=236|loc=Chapter 12}}

Gantt charts are usually created initially using an ''early start time approach'', where each task is scheduled to start immediately when its prerequisites are complete. This method maximizes the [[Float (project management)|float time]] available for all tasks.{{sfn|Klein|1999|p=49}}