Undertaking administration charts tremendously assist undertaking managers plan, schedule and monitor progress on initiatives of all sizes. There are various kinds of undertaking administration charts and there’s one for every stage of the undertaking life cycle resembling undertaking initiation or undertaking closing charts, for instance.
There are additionally planning charts, diagrams and matrices for every of the important thing 10 undertaking administration areas resembling value, schedule, useful resource or stakeholder administration.
Fortunately for undertaking managers, there are lots of options on the subject of selecting a undertaking administration chart to facilitate undertaking planning efforts. In truth, utilizing these charts is commonly a necessity for undertaking managers. You’ll want to make use of a Gantt chart or a piece breakdown construction to construct your undertaking plan, which is the muse of your undertaking.
What Are Undertaking Administration Charts?
Undertaking administration charts are visible representations of knowledge that flip troublesome undertaking administration ideas into simply digestible property. They’re principally used for undertaking planning and take many shapes resembling flowcharts, community diagrams or bar charts. Gantt charts, PERT charts, CPM diagrams and WBS diagrams are nice examples.
Undertaking administration charts are particularly helpful whenever you’re speaking advanced undertaking planning data. They visualize knowledge and switch advanced ideas such because the undertaking schedule or scope into digestible knowledge for the undertaking administration group and stakeholders.
Information from undertaking planning charts are much more helpful when it’s tied to real-time undertaking administration software program like ProjectManager. Our software program takes a static chart and turns it right into a dynamic software for planning, execution and reporting. For instance, our Gantt chart is right for displaying a plan visually, scheduling duties, sources and prices on a spreadsheet and a timeline. Greater than having all the undertaking on one web page, undertaking managers can hyperlink all 4 kinds of activity dependencies to keep away from delays and price overruns. It’s straightforward to filter for the essential path and determine important duties. Plus, set a baseline to check the deliberate effort towards the precise effort in actual time to maintain the undertaking on monitor. Get began with ProjectManager right now without cost.
Prime 17 Undertaking Administration Charts
Earlier than contemplating which undertaking administration chart is finest for you, it’s necessary that you just first determine which undertaking administration methodology you’ll use as there are variations between waterfall and agile undertaking planning. It’s additionally necessary to notice that you just’ll want a wide range of undertaking administration charts as every serves totally different undertaking planning functions resembling making a undertaking timeline, allocating undertaking sources, planning undertaking work and extra.
Under, we’ve chosen the very best undertaking administration charts for undertaking planning so you’ll be able to determine that are finest in your undertaking.
1. Gantt Charts
Skilled undertaking managers are conversant in the Gantt chart. It’s a dynamic bar chart that reveals the project schedule on a timeline. Though Gantt charts began out as a primary software, they’ve matured and embrace engaging options resembling activity dependencies that observe when one activity is expounded to a different.
Gantt charts are important for contemporary undertaking planning and scheduling as a result of they permit undertaking managers to visualise the entire actions that make up the undertaking on a timeline. They’re additionally helpful to monitor progress as soon as the execution part begins.
With new computing energy, Gantt charts advanced from a primary bar chart to an important undertaking administration software that permits undertaking managers to determine the essential path, assign duties, set up activity dependencies, generate a undertaking timeline and far more. That is why most fashionable project planning software now consists of Gantt charts.
One of many greatest benefits of utilizing Gantt charts is that it additionally permits to create roadmaps to visualise the timelines of a number of initiatives in a program or undertaking portfolio.
On-line Gantt Charts for Extra Flexibility
All Gantt charts aren’t equal; different undertaking administration software program packages have Gantt charts, however they’re primary in performance. ProjectManager gives Gantt chart options that the competitors hasn’t but thought-about.
To start out, ProjectManager can import your activity checklist and schedule from a static spreadsheet. In case your plan was developed in Microsoft Undertaking however you need to transfer that plan on-line to share along with your group, know that ProjectManager facilitates the import of Microsoft Undertaking recordsdata.
Upon getting your undertaking plan in ProjectManager, our online Gantt chart is a undertaking administration chart on steroids. You may hyperlink activity dependencies to forestall group members from getting blocked. You may as well assign duties instantly from the Gantt view which is an interactive undertaking timeline you can modify in actual time. Remark on the activity degree and all standing updates are immediately mirrored on the Gantt chart, which feeds right into a real-time dashboard with undertaking metrics that may be filtered and shared.
2. Work Breakdown Construction (WBS) Diagram
One facet of undertaking planning is organizing undertaking actions, deliverables and timelines. That’s the place a work breakdown structure (WBS) turns out to be useful. It’s a technique to take the duties a group should accomplish and break up them into manageable sections.
The WBS is a deliverable-oriented hierarchical decomposition of the work to be executed by the undertaking group. In different phrases, it’s a good way to visualise the duties that must be completed in an effort to full the undertaking. It acts as a barely higher-level view than a Gantt chart, which is helpful for advanced initiatives. A WBS could be represented as a listing, a tree diagram, a spreadsheet or a column on a Gantt chart.
Upon getting that data collected in our WBS diagram template, if you’d like a extra dynamic software that has extra choices, join it to ProjectManager’s work breakdown structure software.
Upon shifting the WBS diagram to ProjectManager, content material is mirrored over the totally different views within the software program together with the Gantt, activity checklist and kanban board, a visible workflow software. The web Gantt chart turns the WBS diagram right into a powerhouse for undertaking planning.
3. Stream Chart
Stream charts are one other software undertaking managers ought to have of their toolbox when undertaking planning. These charts assist visualize processes as a method to enhance undertaking effectivity. The flow chart is a graphic display of the project’s objective and helps create a logical order of the work required to achieve that purpose. Planning a undertaking is all about management, and a circulate chart provides a undertaking supervisor a software to train management over duties, sources and time. This implies all processes, together with planning and monitoring, confer with the circulate chart to extend effectivity.
This flowchart template has the fundamental symbols you want to symbolize a course of.
- An oval means the beginning or end of the method
- A rectangle represents an exercise, or step within the course of
- An arrow represents the route from one step to a different
- A diamond represents a choice
The instance under reveals the method of making a undertaking plan, and getting it accredited.
4. Crucial Path Diagram (CPM)
One other visible planning software is the essential path diagram (primarily based on the critical path method, or CPM). It’s used to point out the actions which can be required to finish the undertaking. The diagram illustrates the period of every exercise and the previous exercise, how the 2 are associated and lag (the period of time between two actions).
A essential path diagram helps undertaking managers break down a extra intensive undertaking into obligatory actions in an effort to ship a profitable undertaking. These actions are represented on the diagram as bins. Between these actions or bins are traces that symbolize the circulate to point out how every exercise is related and interconnected.
The aim of utilizing a essential path diagram is to permit undertaking managers to calculate the entire period of a undertaking. The essential path is made up of essential actions however non-critical actions are additionally proven. Non-critical actions permit for extra flexibility as they don’t have a serious affect on the undertaking.
5. RACI Matrix
RACI is an acronym that stands for accountable, accountable, consulted and knowledgeable. A RACI matrix is a chart that helps assign obligations in project management. This desk helps undertaking managers determine stakeholders of their initiatives and gauge every degree of involvement. That is completed by noting subsequent to every the preliminary R, A, C or I to categorize engagement.
For instance, a accountable stakeholder means they’re instantly chargeable for the duty. Accountable defines somebody who delegates and opinions the work. Consulted means you’ll need this particular person’s enter and suggestions on the work being completed, and knowledgeable are people who must be up to date on the progress of the work.
That is helpful for assigning the obligations of group members on a undertaking. Nevertheless it can be used to handle stakeholders. The RACI matrix helps a undertaking supervisor to determine which stakeholders must know what and the frequency by which they need to be up to date on the progress of the undertaking.
6. PERT Chart
This visible undertaking administration software is nice whenever you’re mapping out duties and undertaking timelines. PERT is one other acronym that stands for undertaking (or program) analysis and overview method. It supplies a graphical view of the undertaking’s duties, schedule and timelines.
A PERT chart shouldn’t be a Gantt chart, although related. Gantt charts are bar graphs whereas a PERT is freeform. PERT charts are made from nodes, bins or circles that symbolize milestones. Connecting arrows present what have to be accomplished between nodes they usually symbolize the period of every activity.
Some Gantt charts don’t present activity dependencies, however all PERT charts do. They use directional, concurrent arrows to point a sequence of duties that have to be accomplished in a particular sequence. Diverging arrows point out work that may be completed in parallel.
7. Workflow Diagram
Workflow diagrams visually present the format of a course of, undertaking or job. That is completed as a circulate chart. Workflow diagrams are generally used to point out the complete enterprise course of and data flows, assist staff perceive their roles and obligations, expose redundancies and bottlenecks and keep away from dangers.
This undertaking administration chart could be made with software program or drawn manually. Whichever route you are taking, you’ll get important worth from the workflow diagram. They assist with operations and create larger effectivity by streamlining work. In addition they present documentation for authorized, compliance and audit necessities.
They’re an excellent software for clear communication throughout the group. Visible instruments are sometimes simpler to digest irrespective of which division is them. The workflow diagram can also be a technique to strengthen safety. Workflow diagrams monitor data securely and ensure your group is on prime of any safety gaps.
8. Danger Matrix
Dangers could be good and unhealthy, and undertaking managers need to both benefit from these sudden alternatives or mitigate the affect of issues on the undertaking. A risk matrix is utilized in undertaking planning to determine and resolve dangers as they come up as points in a undertaking.
The danger matrix lists dangers that might happen primarily based on expertise and historic knowledge. The matrix represents the chance of the chance showing within the undertaking and the affect it is going to have if it does present up. Dangers are categorized primarily based on chance and severity.
This software helps undertaking managers with their danger administration on a undertaking. It additionally communicates the dangers that may turn out to be points within the undertaking to the undertaking group and stakeholders. This permits groups to shortly seize these points and resolve them.
9. Milestone Chart
The milestone chart is a visible timeline that helps undertaking managers plan for important occasions of their undertaking schedule. Milestones are necessary occasions in a undertaking, resembling delivering the undertaking plan or the top of 1 undertaking part and the start of the subsequent one.
Every vertical line of the milestone chart reveals one milestone. There’s an outline of the milestone on the left-hand facet of the milestone and a horizontal time scale that charts all the undertaking. The milestone chart helps maintain your group, stakeholders and clients up to date on main undertaking occasions.
Making milestones in your schedule and monitoring them all through the undertaking is one technique to keep on schedule. Sharing the milestone chart communicates the main occasions within the undertaking and ensures that everybody is conscious of them. It’s like having advance discover for large deadlines that have to be met. As a result of a milestone chart is a simplified model of a undertaking schedule, they’re generally used to report on the progress of a number of initiatives in a program or project portfolio to stakeholders resembling executives who want a high-level view undertaking standing report.
10. Burndown Chart
In agile undertaking administration, a burndown chart is used to visually symbolize how shortly the undertaking group goes via the shopper’s person tales and it reveals the outline of the options being labored on. These descriptions are from the attitude of the end-user. The burndown chart reveals the group’s effort towards the complete dash.
The work that’s nonetheless to be completed is proven on a vertical axis. The time handed from the start of the undertaking is proven horizontally. This presents each the previous and the longer term so everybody can see the place they’re. The burndown chart is up to date frequently to ensure it’s correct.
There are two kinds of burndown charts: one is used for sprints, or quick iterations when their agile group works on person tales, whereas the opposite is a product burndown chart. The latter reveals the work that continues to be for all the undertaking, whereas the previous is just what’s left to perform.
11. Determination Matrix
A decision matrix is a undertaking administration chart that helps undertaking managers consider totally different decisions by assigning a numeric worth to them primarily based on a set of decision-making standards.
Let’s think about a building undertaking supervisor is utilizing a choice matrix to determine what’s the very best sort of flooring for a residential undertaking. He has three options to select from, hardwood, cement or carpet. To make the very best choice, he ought to think about standards, resembling the standard, value, worth to the shopper and security that every of those choices supply. Relying on how every various is scored, the choice matrix helps the development undertaking supervisor to logically decide which is your best option.
The picture under reveals how the choice matrix would search for this explicit state of affairs. Obtain our free decision matrix template for Excel to create one in your initiatives.
12. Eisenhower Matrix
An Eisenhower matrix is a desk with 4 quadrants which can be used to prioritize initiatives or duties by their degree of significance and urgency. To know how this undertaking administration chart works, it’s essential to outline what significance and urgency imply when creating one. In an Eisenhower matrix, significance refers to how impactful a activity is for the success of a undertaking, whereas its urgency defines how quickly it ought to be accomplished.
By putting duties within the 4 quadrants of the Eisenhower matrix, undertaking managers can perceive the connection between these two variables. Relying on how necessary and pressing a activity is, there are 4 attainable programs of motion, that are finishing the duty instantly, delaying its completion, delegating or eliminating it.
An Eisenhower matrix can be used as a undertaking prioritization software by project management offices (PMO) that must determine which initiatives or packages ought to be executed first.
13. Kanban Board
A kanban board is an important undertaking administration chart that visually maps numerous phases {that a} activity travels via. Duties are represented by playing cards which can be positioned within the “to do” column and as progress is made, they transfer via numerous phases that the undertaking supervisor defines. One fundamental good thing about utilizing a kanban board is that it permits for simple changes to priorities and workflows.
The purpose of a kanban board is to maximise effectivity and restrict work-in-progress. They provide a shared understanding of the undertaking’s standing to assist facilitate communication and teamwork. They’re utilized in a wide range of settings from software program improvement to undertaking administration to non-public activity administration. They’re a easy but highly effective software to assist enhance productiveness and obtain targets.
14. Determination Flowchart
A choice flowchart is an instance of a undertaking administration diagram that helps map out a sequence of choices and their potential outcomes. Consider it as a roadmap for the decision-making course of because it gives insights via totally different paths primarily based on the alternatives which can be made. This flowchart consists of key components like begin/finish symbols, choice diamonds, course of bins and arrows.
Some advantages of utilizing a choice flowchart embrace that it clarifies advanced choices into smaller and extra manageable steps, improves choice making and helps visually talk the decision-making course of to others.
15. SIPOC Diagram
SIPOC stands for suppliers, inputs, course of, outputs and clients. Much like different undertaking administration charts, this can be a visible software that helps doc and perceive a course of, normally earlier than beginning on enchancment efforts. The principle purpose of a SIPOC diagram is to supply a high-level overview of a course of and its boundaries. It helps outline the undertaking scope, concentrate on the shopper, determine enchancment alternatives and achieve a shared understanding of how the method works.
Ideally, SIPOC diagrams are used firstly of a course of enchancment course of, usually when utilizing methodologies like Six Sigma or lean undertaking administration.
16. Necessities Traceability Matrix
A necessities traceability matrix (RTM) helps map and hint undertaking necessities all through the undertaking life cycle. It’s much like a desk that hyperlinks necessities to totally different components like check instances, design paperwork and dangers. Usually, it consists of necessities, design paperwork, dangers and check instances. It acts like a roadmap that reveals how every requirement is related to every thing else within the undertaking.
An RTM is necessary as a result of it helps handle scope creep by linking necessities to different components and ensures that each one necessities are addressed within the undertaking deliverables. It additionally helps testers perceive what must be examined and ensures a shared understanding of necessities and their relationships.
17. RAID Log
RAID stands for dangers, assumptions, points and choices. Like different undertaking diagrams we have now mentioned, it acts as a central repository for data all through the undertaking life cycle, particularly specializing in dangers, assumptions, points and choices. It’s created through the planning part and up to date frequently because the undertaking progresses.
Primarily, RAID logs are used to assist proactively handle dangers by figuring out and documenting them early. This permits groups to develop danger mitigation methods and contingency plans. It additionally acts as a communication software to maintain stakeholders knowledgeable about potential dangers, ongoing points and key choices.
ProjectManager vs. Undertaking Administration Charts
Undertaking administration charts are nice visible aids and are useful instruments to arrange the procedures in your undertaking, however static paperwork can solely achieve this a lot. Whenever you begin to plan and execute the undertaking, you want undertaking administration software program to attach groups and streamline work. ProjectManager is award-winnng undertaking and portfolio undertaking administration software program that mechanically updates with real-time knowledge that will help you higher handle your undertaking. program or portfolio.
Handle Assets to Enhance Productiveness
ProjectManager’s on-line Gantt charts are nice for scheduling work and sharing plans with groups. When onboarding these groups, set their availability, resembling PTO, trip, world holidays and ability units, to assign the proper particular person for the proper job on the proper time. Then get an outline of useful resource allocation on the color-coded workload chart, which makes it fast and easy to see who’s overallocated or underutilized. Then, proper from the chart, stability the group’s workload and maintain everybody working at capability with out risking burnout. There’s additionally a group web page that reveals a day by day or weekly abstract of every group member’s actions, which could be filtered by precedence, progress and extra.
Monitor Time and Prices With Actual-Time Dashboards
With static paperwork, knowledge must be manually up to date. Who has time for that? Our software program does that busywork for you. Real-time dashboards mechanically acquire dwell knowledge from the undertaking, crunch the numbers and show the ends in undertaking charts. These six undertaking metrics embrace time, value, workload and extra, all up to date in actual time to present you an outline of your undertaking everytime you need it. There’s no setup concerned, both. Wish to get extra element than an outline of the undertaking? Use our customizable studies, which could be filtered to see the info factors you need or present a basic abstract that may be shared with stakeholders. Even our safe timesheets, which streamline the payroll course of, may help monitor labor prices to keep away from breaking the finances.
Associated Content material
Take a look at our guides, blogs and templates the place you will get in-depth data on extra undertaking planning charts and diagrams, so you should utilize them in your whole initiatives for higher outcomes.
Planning could make or break a undertaking, so that you need to have the very best instruments at your disposal when going via the method. ProjectManager is on-line undertaking administration software program that helps you propose, execute, monitor and report on your whole initiatives. It really works seamlessly with the undertaking planning charts described above and has a sturdy set of undertaking administration instruments to handle sources, time and price. See the way it may help you propose your undertaking by taking this free 30-day trial right now.
