- \n
- What are Gantt charts?<\/a><\/li>\n
- 10 Gantt chart alternatives<\/a>\n
- \n
- 1. Lists<\/a><\/li>\n
- 2. Whiteboards<\/a><\/li>\n
- 3. Kanban boards<\/a><\/li>\n
- 4. Timelines<\/a><\/li>\n
- 5. Mind maps (or project network diagrams)<\/a><\/li>\n
- 6. Scrum boards<\/a><\/li>\n
- 7. Documents<\/a><\/li>\n
- 8. Dashboards<\/a><\/li>\n
- 9. Tables<\/a><\/li>\n
- 10. Calendars<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- How to choose a Gantt chart alternative<\/a><\/li>\n
- Use one or many project management tools in ClickUp for free<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
What are Gantt charts?<\/h2>\n
In ClickUp\u2019s Gantt charts guide<\/a>, we took a detailed look at creating and reading Gantt charts<\/a>\u2014a popular project management tool to show tasks or events against time.<\/p>\n
After Henry Gantt first introduced the concept, it was used for heavy construction projects<\/a> like building the Hoover Dam in the United States. Today, this working tool is adopted for all kinds of project management systems, including Scrum and Agile<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n![\"Gantt](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/gantt-chart-1400x669.png\")
A Gantt chart is a stacked bar chart representing project schedules<\/a> and multiple teams<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n The six main components of a traditional Gantt chart<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Milestones<\/strong>: illustrate crucial dates to a project\u2019s on-time completion and success with a symbol<\/li>\n
- Arrows\/Lines<\/strong>: indicate which tasks are blocking and waiting on others (called dependencies<\/a>)<\/li>\n
- Line<\/strong> marker<\/strong>: specifies the current date to see at a glance how much work there is left to do<\/li>\n
- Horizontal<\/strong> bars<\/strong>: represent the time period of individual project tasks<\/li>\n
- Left sidebar<\/strong>: lists all the project tasks involved in the project<\/li>\n
- Timescale<\/strong>: shows date categories (days, weeks, months)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
In essence, Gantt charts show all the tasks that need to be done and how they relate to each other over a period of time. Here are the pros of using Gantt chart software<\/a>:<\/p>\n
\u2705 Gantt chart pros<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Gantt charts provide a bird\u2019s eye view of the entire project<\/strong>. See where everything fits and identify issues without switching between multiple tabs or pages<\/li>\n
- Gantt charts highlight dependencies and the critical path<\/a>. <\/strong>Take swift action on tasks and resources being held up to stop them from causing further issues<\/li>\n
- Gantt charts help to understand multiple schedules<\/strong>. Find openings easily in your project timeline<\/a> to schedule additional activities<\/li>\n
- Gantt charts are a visual project management technique. <\/strong>Manage projects in a visual way that\u2019s easy to understand<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
On the flip side, Gantt charts can quickly complicate a project for a team, and here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n
\u274c Gantt chart cons<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Collaborating with teams to create a Gantt chart may be difficult for first-time users<\/strong>. Gantt charts can quickly become work-intensive, causing more stress on the planning and taking away time for the project work itself<\/li>\n
- Horizontal bars on a Gantt chart can be misleading<\/strong>. Each bar on a Gantt chart indicates the time period<\/em> of a task. It doesn\u2019t show the number of hours<\/em> it will take to complete the task<\/li>\n
- Over time, Gantt charts can become challenging to maintain<\/strong>. The project scope might change, or new project tasks might be added on, making it difficult to track and record<\/li>\n
- Printing a Gantt chart on a single piece of paper takes away its purpose<\/strong>. From a stakeholder perspective, they wouldn\u2019t want to strain their eyes to see the Gantt chart\u2019s date indicator<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n![\"jimmy](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/image10-1.gif\")
NBCUniversal Television Distribution by GIPHY<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n Each project will have its own unique requirements, scope, resources, budget, and goals. However, here are three significant signs you need a Gantt chart alternative:<\/p>\n
\ud83e\udea7 No team member to own and maintain the project Gantt chart from start to finish<\/p>\n
\ud83e\udea7 No extra time to educate your team on how to use Gantt charts<\/p>\n
\ud83e\udea7 No firm grasp on the order of tasks and milestones<\/p>\n
While these are clear signals a Gantt chart won\u2019t set you up for success, all is not lost! Some alternatives will serve your team and project better (minus the confusion and complications that can come with Gantt charts).<\/p>\n
10 Gantt chart alternatives<\/h2>\n
1. Lists<\/h3>\n
\n![\"lists](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/list.png\")
Lists capture the to-do items for a project<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n Lists are typically the go-to to kick things off! They\u2019re versatile and can be as detailed as needed to create a work breakdown structure<\/a>. Especially when task priorities force teams to adjust (and this happens almost every day), lists can be changed quickly to reflect the most critical information needed to stay on track.<\/p>\n
Even so, similar to Gantt charts, lists aren\u2019t a one-size-fits-all project management tool. For example, if you know you\u2019ll have to track dependencies for your project, lists won\u2019t make this clear for your intended audience.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 To learn more about lists, check out our How to Create a Project Plan in 5 Steps<\/a> article!<\/p>\n
2. Whiteboards<\/h3>\n
\n![\"whiteboards](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/whiteboard.png\")
Whiteboards illustrate project ideas and plans<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n Whiteboards are the perfect tool for brainstorming sessions to align teams faster on work that needs to be done. Inside an office, a physical whiteboard can promote quick problem solving between individuals around the board.<\/p>\n
Even as teams move to remote or hybrid working environments, whiteboards have an essential role to play when it comes to collaboration. The rise of collaborative whiteboard solutions has filled the void for how distributed teams brainstorm and conjure up ideas. With the <\/em>global interactive whiteboards market<\/em><\/a> expected to reach $2.31 Bn by 2025, it\u2019s clear just how popular these tools are.<\/em><\/p>\n
\u2014Zeb Evans<\/a>, CEO of ClickUp<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 Learn how to connect ideas to your workflow faster with ClickUp Whiteboards<\/a>!<\/p>\n
3. Kanban boards<\/h3>\n
\n![\"horizontal](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/kanban-board.png\")
Kanban boards show a visual pipeline for keeping tasks on track<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n A Kanban board is a workflow visualization tool<\/a> best for projects that do not necessarily need prioritization or dependency strategies. Instead, Kanban boards help limit the work in progress per workflow status. A card (representing the task) moves through each column (representing the workflow status) from left to right until it reaches the DONE status. Kanban boards are flexible for managing these types of projects:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Performing maintenance requests<\/li>\n
- Creating social media content<\/li>\n
- Managing a sales funnel<\/li>\n
- Interviewing candidates<\/li>\n
- Tracking inventory<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\ud83d\udc49 Get more inspiration from our Kanban board examples<\/a> article and learn more about the differences between Kanban and Gantt charts<\/a>.<\/p>\n
4. Timelines<\/h3>\n
\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/timeline.png\")
Timelines capture all tasks in a sequential order\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n Timelines and Gantt charts may look similar, but the main difference is that a Gantt chart displays a detailed sequence of tasks and their dependencies on a two-dimensional chart. A project management timeline<\/a> shows a chronological order of tasks and their due dates on a linear line!<\/p>\n
Ultimately, deciding whether to use a Gantt chart or timeline comes down to what you want to communicate to your audience. For example, if you\u2019re going to show a brief overview of a project\u2019s life cycle, a timeline is enough. On the other hand, timelines would produce more questions than answers if you need to specify task dependencies and the complexity of a project.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 Get the answers to all your questions about Gantt charts vs timelines<\/a>!<\/p>\n
5. Mind maps (or project network diagrams)<\/h3>\n
\n![\"mind](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/mind-map.png\")
Mind maps or project network diagrams help visualize thoughts and collect knowledge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n The next Gantt chart alternative on our list is a tool called mind maps, which are ideal for visually brainstorming ideas. At the core of a mind map, a central idea or question is typically at the center of the page. Lines are drawn from the center outward to connect related ideas. From those ideas, lines are drawn to relate a new level of ideas, and it goes on and on.<\/p>\n
Mind maps are not typically used past the initial brainstorming<\/a>, so everyone can freely generate ideas without worrying about being buttoned up. You can get started with a piece of paper and pencil or use software to level up your mind map creations.<\/p>\n
Here are a few mind map resources with examples to see in action!<\/p>\n
- \n
- 20 Mind-Blowing Mind Map Examples<\/a><\/li>\n
- How to Create a Mind Map in Excel<\/a><\/li>\n
- How to Make a Mind Map in Word<\/a><\/li>\n
- PERT Charts vs Gantt Charts<\/a><\/li>\n
- PERT Chart examples<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
6. Scrum boards<\/h3>\n
\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/scrum.png\")
Scrum boards prioritize immediate issues to solve<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n A Scrum board<\/a> (or Sprint board) is a visual representation of the work to be done in a single Sprint. A Sprint is a time-boxed iteration during which a team completes a specific project section. Scrum boards equip teams by:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Ensuring that everyone is working on a project task<\/li>\n
- Identifying the tasks that need to be completed<\/li>\n
- Keeping track of an active Sprint\u2019s progress<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
While Scrum boards improve team efficiency and communication, this Gantt chart alternative might be difficult for non-agile teams to adopt and successfully implement. Without a Scrum master <\/a>or familiarity with agile project management, there\u2019s a chance Scrum boards will do more harm than good to your project.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 Learn how to build and use a Scrum board<\/a> with ClickUp\u2019s ultimate guide!<\/p>\n
7. Documents<\/h3>\n
\n![\"project](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/document.png\")
Documents organize project information from planning to completion\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n Documents are the most straightforward alternative to Gantt charts. Docs help organize roles and responsibilities, budget notes, the scope of work<\/a>, communication plan, charter, meeting notes, and more. Project managers can be as descriptive as needed with documents, eventually building a library of essential project management documents.<\/p>\n
However, the downside of using documents for project management is that action items<\/a> or tasks can quickly get lost or forgotten if buried within a document.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 Discover the best Google Docs alternatives<\/a> for advanced collaboration options!<\/p>\n
8. Dashboards<\/h3>\n
\n![\"project](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/dashboard.png\")
Dashboards give a high-level overview of important metrics<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n Dashboards combine different sources of information, metrics, and key performance indicators (KPIs) <\/a>into a single view. They can combine text and visual widgets\u2014pie charts, sorted lists, bar graphs\u2014to give teams real-time data and make informed project decisions. You can build better versions of the same dashboard over time with minimal effort as KPIs shift or team members change.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 Follow our 5-step guide to creating powerful dashboards<\/a>!<\/p>\n
9. Tables<\/h3>\n
\n![\"project](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/table.png\")
Tables are highly organized and color-coded tools to build projects<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n We\u2019ve come a long way since basic Excel spreadsheets. Tables in modern project management software<\/a> now come with advanced features, making it easier (and aesthetically pleasing!) for those who prefer a spreadsheet-style of management. Combined with the power of templates, teams can instantly upload information to the tool and create a comprehensive project schedule.<\/p>\n
The weakness of using tables is evident when projects are large, complex, and involve creating elaborate formulas to collaborate with cross-functional teams<\/a>. However, this won\u2019t be an issue if you know you have the resources to assign all the data entry work!<\/p>\n
10. Calendars<\/h3>\n
\n![\"calendars](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/calendar.png\")
Calendars display the dates and times planned for each task<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n Calendars have and will always be relevant. Everyone is familiar with a calendar because it can be used for both general purposes and project management. With a calendar in front of us, we can plan and organize around other key deadlines and events to avoid overcommitting resources.<\/p>\n
This Gantt chart alternative is versatile enough to be used in different ways: planning, resource allocation, tasks, and base templates. However, it\u2019s best for simple projects with no task dependencies and viewing status\/check-in meetings.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 Learn how a project calendar can support your project<\/a>!<\/p>\n
There you have it! Ten Gantt chart alternatives to give you and your team the flexibility to structure different projects. \ud83d\udee0 \ud83d\ude80<\/p>\n
How to choose a Gantt chart alternative<\/h2>\n
You\u2019ve got a concept, and you\u2019re ready to lay out all the work that needs to be done. Do you create a list? Draw a flowchart? Organize a timeline? Which tool will display your project data most accurately and compellingly?<\/p>\n
Here are a few scenarios to narrow down your options:<\/p>\n
\n\n\n
\n \ud83d\udcad
\nThe team is in the initial <\/em>
\nplanning phase\u00a0<\/em><\/th>\n\ud83e\udd1d
\nThe project has task dependencies, milestones, and cross-functional teams<\/em><\/th>\n\ud83e\udd39\u200d\u2640\ufe0f
\nThe team is juggling multiple projects at once<\/em><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n\n\n \u2705\u00a0 Mind Maps
\n\u2705\u00a0 Flowcharts
\n\u2705\u00a0 Calendars\u274c Kanban boards
\n\u274c Dashboards
\n\u274c Tables<\/td>\n\u2705\u00a0 Scrum Boards
\n\u2705\u00a0 Dashboards
\n\u2705\u00a0 Flowcharts\u274c Whiteboards
\n\u274c Calendars
\n\u274c Timelines<\/td>\n\u2705\u00a0 Kanban boards
\n\u2705\u00a0 Scrum Boards
\n\u2705\u00a0 Dashboards\u274c Whiteboards
\n\u274c Mind Maps
\n\u274c Timelines<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n \ud83d\udcb0
\nThe stakeholders want to see project scope, cost, <\/em>
\nand resource management<\/em><\/th>\n\ud83e\udd16
\nThe team has moderate to advanced experience <\/em>
\nwith project management software<\/em><\/th>\n\u26a1\ufe0f
\nThe team favors less structure for <\/em>
\nbetter collaboration<\/em><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n\n\n \u2705\u00a0 Dashboards
\n\u2705\u00a0 Flowcharts
\n\u2705\u00a0 Documents\u274c Whiteboards
\n\u274c Mind Maps
\n\u274c Timelines<\/td>\n\u2705\u00a0 Kanban boards
\n\u2705\u00a0 Scrum boards
\n\u2705\u00a0 Dashboards
\n\u2705\u00a0 Flowcharts
\n\u2705\u00a0 Tables<\/td>\n\u2705\u00a0 Whiteboards
\n\u2705 Mind Maps
\n\u2705 Flowcharts\u274c Scrum boards
\n\u274c Documents
\n\u274c Timelines<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\nThe examples above confirm the choice isn\u2019t a decorative decision, nor is it personal. Suppose your project management tool<\/a> doesn\u2019t help your intended audience retain and proactively take action. In that case, you\u2019ll likely get off to a rocky start.<\/p>\n
Although, who said you had to use only one tool? \ud83e\udd13<\/p>\n
Use one or many project management tools in ClickUp for free<\/h2>\n
Our teams at ClickUp and ClickUp users<\/a> around the world prefer organizing their projects from different angles:<\/p>\n
- How to Create a Mind Map in Excel<\/a><\/li>\n
- 20 Mind-Blowing Mind Map Examples<\/a><\/li>\n
- Horizontal bars on a Gantt chart can be misleading<\/strong>. Each bar on a Gantt chart indicates the time period<\/em> of a task. It doesn\u2019t show the number of hours<\/em> it will take to complete the task<\/li>\n
- Gantt charts highlight dependencies and the critical path<\/a>. <\/strong>Take swift action on tasks and resources being held up to stop them from causing further issues<\/li>\n
- Arrows\/Lines<\/strong>: indicate which tasks are blocking and waiting on others (called dependencies<\/a>)<\/li>\n
- 2. Whiteboards<\/a><\/li>\n
- 10 Gantt chart alternatives<\/a>\n