What Is Smartsheet?

Smartsheet is a cloud‑based work and project management platform that combines a spreadsheet‑like interface with tools to plan, assign and monitor work. It is commonly used across construction, marketing, IT and operations to coordinate schedules, automate workflows and track progress in real time. Teams use Smartsheet to assign tasks, organize calendars, collaborate on documents and oversee progress from inception to completion.

Does Smartsheet Have a Gantt Chart?

Smartsheet includes a Gantt chart view that integrates a grid on the left with a timeline on the right. This view allows users to see task durations, dependencies and milestones in one place, making it a core scheduling option within the platform.

Short Answer: Yes, Smartsheet Has Gantt Charts

Smartsheet’s Gantt charts are functional and easy to edit. Users can drag and drop task bars, color‑code phases or owners and assign tasks directly from the timeline. Dependencies and critical path activities can be highlighted with a click, while baselines compare current dates to the original plan for schedule variance. Collaboration features let teammates add comments, attach files and receive automated alerts, and data can be imported from Excel, MS Project, Google and Trello or exported to PDF or PNG.

Long Answer: Smartsheet’s Gantt Charts Lack Key Features for Project Management

Although Smartsheet provides a usable Gantt view, it lacks advanced project management capabilities found in more robust tools. There is no built‑in way to estimate costs per task or log actual expenses, and resource allocation is handled through separate add‑ons rather than within the timeline. Smartsheet also limits how thoroughly you can compare planned and actual start and finish dates because baselines and variance tracking are basic. Organizations needing deeper cost, resource and performance analysis may outgrow Smartsheet’s Gantt charts quickly.

ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software that has Gantt charts that link all four types of task dependencies to avoid costly delays. They can filter for the critical path and set a baseline to track project variance in real time. Our Gantt charts update automatically and can be shared easily with your project team, even Apple users. Microsoft Project is not known for its collaboration or ease of use. Our software is easier to use, fosters collaboration, including a mobile app, and is not as expensive as Microsoft Project. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

How to Make a Smartsheet Gantt Chart Better With ProjectManager

Transferring schedules between Smartsheet and ProjectManager is straightforward. Export your Smartsheet Gantt chart as a Microsoft Project XML or Excel file and then import it into ProjectManager to unlock advanced features like workload and resource allocation charts, timesheets, kanban boards, project calendars and more. The process also works in reverse, so you can round‑trip data between the two tools. To try it yourself, simply start a free trial of ProjectManager.

1. Use the Import Button on the Gantt Chart

Export your Smartsheet project as an MPP file and open ProjectManager. In the Gantt view, select the import option and choose to bring in data from a Microsoft Project (MPP) file. This initiates the guided import process and prepares the file for conversion.

2. Select Which MPP File You Want to Import

Browse your local drive for the exported Smartsheet file. Selecting the correct MPP ensures that all task names, dates and hierarchies transfer accurately into ProjectManager’s Gantt chart.

3. Choose Your MPP File Import Options

During import, decide whether to map columns automatically or manually. ProjectManager lets you match Smartsheet fields like task name, start date and finish date to its own columns to avoid data misalignment.

4. Import All Data or Just the Task List

ProjectManager offers the option to import every column (including predecessors and resources) or only the basic task list. Choose the full import to maintain dependencies and other metadata from Smartsheet.

5. Close the Success Prompt

Once the import completes, ProjectManager displays a confirmation. Closing this prompt takes you directly to the newly created Gantt chart, ready for review and edits.

6. Your Smartsheet Gantt Chart Is Ready to Edit in ProjectManager

With the data imported, you can refine the plan using ProjectManager’s advanced features. Assign resources, estimate costs, set baselines, link multiple dependency types and monitor progress with real‑time dashboards—all from a more powerful Gantt interface.

Key Features and Pros of Smartsheet Gantt Charts

Smartsheet’s Gantt view covers essential scheduling needs and offers several advantages for teams that like a spreadsheet feel.

• Tracks tasks with start and end dates on a timeline and links them so you see how one step affects another.
• Lets you set working days, adjust the scale from days to months and group subtasks under phases with automatic roll‑up of progress.
• Uses colors, baselines and critical‑path markers to show which tasks are late, risky or driving the finish date.
• Provides drag‑and‑drop editing, lets you choose what each column stores and summarizes key metrics in one panel.
• Offers collaboration tools like comments, file attachments and @mentions plus automated reminders and alerts.
• Allows you to color‑code tasks, assign work to team members and manage workloads with built‑in notifications.
• Supports importing data from Excel, MS Project and other tools and exporting the finished chart to PDF or PNG for sharing.
• Updates automatically whenever you adjust a task so the timeline and dependencies stay accurate.

Cons of Making a Gantt Chart in Smartsheet

Despite these strengths, Smartsheet’s Gantt functionality has notable shortcomings that can hinder complex projects or enterprises with advanced needs.

• There’s no built‑in cost tracking, so you can’t compare budgets to actual spending.
• The basic Gantt view doesn’t include resource assignment or workload balancing without paid add‑ons.
• Comparison features are limited, making it hard to see variances between planned and actual dates or budgets.
• It can be hard to learn, dashboards are manual, and connecting to other apps or using advanced features adds extra cost.
• Reports and dashboards aren’t automatic; you have to build and refresh them yourself.
• There’s no native time tracking, so you’ll need a separate tool if you want to log hours or timesheets.
• Task dependency options are basic, which makes it tricky to model complex schedules and constraints.
• Integrations often rely on third‑party services or custom workflows, which adds cost and complexity.

How to Make a Gantt Chart in Smartsheet

Smartsheet’s Gantt view is built upon a regular sheet with date columns. Follow these steps to create your own Gantt chart.

1. Add Tasks and Date Columns

Create a new sheet and list your tasks in rows. Add at least two date columns—start and end dates—to allow Smartsheet to calculate durations and draw Gantt bars. Without these columns, the timeline cannot be generated.

2. Switch to Gantt View

From the toolbar, select Gantt View to split the screen into a grid on the left and a timeline on the right. Use the divider to adjust how much space each section occupies.

3. Enable Dependencies and Configure Settings

Right-click a column header and select Edit Project Settings or use the settings button to open the project settings dialog. Here you can enable dependencies, choose predecessor columns and set other scheduling options.

4. Adjust the Timescale

Use the zoom in and zoom out icons to change the timescale between quarter, month, week or day views. Smartsheet will save your timescale settings when you export the chart.

5. Edit Tasks Directly on the Timeline

Drag the center of a taskbar to move its start and finish dates, or drag one end to adjust the duration. These adjustments update the underlying date columns automatically.

6. Customize Bars and Hierarchy

Right-click a taskbar to open color settings and choose custom colors for different phases or owners. Indent rows in the grid to create parent-child relationships; parent rows calculate progress and durations based on their subtasks.

ProjectManager Has Better Gantt Charts Than Smartsheet

Smartsheet’s Gantt view is convenient but limited. ProjectManager offers a more powerful alternative, providing deeper cost and resource tracking, richer variance analysis and integration with other project views and dashboards.

Superior Cost and Resource Tracking Gantt Chart Features

For resource and cost tracking, the difference between Smartsheet’s Gantt chart and ProjectManager’s Gantt chart is very clear. In ProjectManager you can assign people, equipment and materials to tasks, set hourly rates or budget lines and then see how costs accrue as time is logged. Workload charts make it clear who is overbooked or underused, while timesheets feed directly into the Gantt so there’s no manual reconciliation. You can drag tasks to adjust assignments and the system recalculates hours, utilization and forecast spend in real time, helping you catch overruns before they happen.

Planned vs Actual Comparisons

Another area where ProjectManager shines is in comparing the plan to actual performance. Baselines capture your initial project schedule and budget, and as your team updates progress the software computes variance on dates, costs and durations. Visual indicators call attention to tasks trending late or over budget, allowing you to drill down into the reasons and adjust course. You can save multiple baselines to track scope changes over time and generate reports that show whether your corrective actions are working.

Syncs with Other Project Views and Real‑Time Project Tracking Dashboards

Finally, ProjectManager’s Gantt chart doesn’t live in isolation. Any changes you make to tasks propagate to kanban boards, task lists and resource calendars, ensuring everyone sees the same information regardless of how the project management tools they prefer to work. A live dashboard aggregates key metrics such as completion percentage, budget consumption and team availability, updating as the Gantt changes. With integrations to tools like Slack, Google Drive and Microsoft Office you can collaborate with stakeholders seamlessly and keep your entire project ecosystem in sync.

ProjectManager is online project and portfolio management software that connects teams whether they’re in the office, out in the field or anywhere in between. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay updated with email and in-app notifications. Join teams at Avis, Nestle and Siemens who use our software to deliver successful projects. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

The post Smartsheet Gantt Chart: A How‑to Guide With Pros, Cons & Alternatives appeared first on ProjectManager.

What Is Procore?

Procore is a construction management software platform used to plan, manage and track construction projects from preconstruction through closeout. It is commonly used by general contractors, specialty contractors and owners to manage drawings, RFIs, submittals, budgets, schedules and field collaboration. The platform also includes financial management tools, reporting capabilities, integrations and AI-powered features designed to improve communication and project visibility across teams.

ProjectManager is award-winning construction project management software that gives construction companies tools to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget and within scope. It allows project managers to create detailed construction schedules, estimate costs, allocate resources, set budgets, track progress and compare estimated versus actual project outcomes using real-time dashboards and reports to quickly identify delays or cost overruns. Get started with ProjectManager for free today.

Procore Views

Procore offers multiple schedule and planning views that help construction teams manage work at different levels of detail. Project managers can analyze master schedules and critical paths while superintendents and field teams focus on short-term coordination and daily execution.

• List View: A spreadsheet-style scheduling view used to review tasks, resources, work breakdown structure (WBS), start dates, finish dates and percentage complete. Teams use it to organize activities, sort schedule data and quickly review project tasks.
• Calendar View: A visual scheduling layout that displays construction activities by day, week or month. Field teams use calendar view to monitor upcoming work, coordinate crews and track deadlines in an easier-to-read format than traditional Gantt charts.
• Gantt View: A timeline-based scheduling view that displays tasks as horizontal bars across the project schedule. Procore’s Gantt chart view supports dependencies, baselines, critical path visibility, filters, configurable columns and percentage-complete tracking.
• Lookahead View: A short-term planning view used to break down master schedules into one-to-six-week execution windows. Superintendents and subcontractors use lookaheads to coordinate upcoming work, identify constraints and improve field readiness before activities begin.
• Dashboard & Reporting Views: Reporting dashboards provide high-level visibility into project performance, financial metrics, schedule progress and field activity. Executives and project leaders use these views to monitor trends, risks and overall project health across one or multiple construction projects.

Procore Features

Beyond scheduling and planning views, Procore includes construction management features designed to support communication, field coordination, financial control and document management throughout the project lifecycle.

• Project Planning & Scheduling: Manage construction schedules, milestones, dependencies, lookaheads and task progress through Procore’s built-in scheduling environment. The platform also integrates with Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project for advanced construction scheduling workflows.
• Communication & Collaboration: Centralize project communication through RFIs, comments, correspondence tracking and shared project records. Office and field teams can collaborate in real time using cloud-based project data.
• Drawing Management: Store and organize drawings, revisions and markups in a centralized cloud environment. Automatic version control helps field teams access the latest plans and reduces issues caused by outdated documents.
• Submittals Management: Track submittals, shop drawings and approval workflows to maintain procurement visibility and reduce delays tied to material approvals.
• Budgeting & Cost Control: Monitor construction budgets, commitments, forecasts, invoices, change orders and actual project costs in real time. Financial tracking tools help construction teams identify budget overruns early.
• Daily Logs: Capture labor hours, weather conditions, equipment usage, deliveries and field activity directly from mobile devices. Daily logs create a historical record of jobsite operations and project events.
• Document Management: Manage contracts, permits, specifications, photos and project files in a centralized repository with permission controls and version tracking.
• Reporting & Analytics: Generate dashboards, productivity reports, financial summaries and project performance analytics to support forecasting and decision-making.
• Mobile App: Access schedules, drawings, RFIs, inspections and field reports from smartphones and tablets, allowing field crews to update project information directly from the jobsite.
• AI Capabilities: Procore has expanded its AI functionality with tools such as Procore Copilot and AI-powered analytics designed to surface project insights, automate workflows and improve decision-making across construction teams.

Pros and Cons of Procore

Procore is widely considered one of the strongest construction management platforms on the market, especially for document control, field coordination and contractor collaboration. At the same time, many online reviewers point out that its core project management functionality is not as advanced or flexible as dedicated project management software platforms.

Pros

• Construction-specific workflows: Procore performs particularly well for RFIs, submittals, punch lists, inspections, drawings and field coordination. Many contractors consider these workflows significantly better than what general-purpose project management software provides.
• Strong document management: Users frequently praise Procore’s centralized document environment, especially its drawing version control, markup tools and ability to keep field teams aligned with the latest project files.
• Good mobile experience for field teams: Superintendents and subcontractors can access schedules, drawings, daily logs and inspections directly from the construction site using mobile devices, which improves communication between office and field personnel.
• Real-time collaboration: Many reviewers highlight the ability to centralize communication, project records and updates in one cloud-based system accessible to owners, contractors and subcontractors.
• Comprehensive construction platform: Procore combines financial management, field operations, reporting and document control into a single ecosystem, reducing the need to manage multiple disconnected construction applications.

Cons

• Weak compared to dedicated project management software: While Procore handles construction administration very well, many users feel its scheduling and task management capabilities are not as advanced as specialized project management platforms built around planning, workload management and portfolio execution.
• Heavy dependence on external scheduling tools: Advanced scheduling workflows often still require Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project integrations. For many construction firms, Procore acts more as a coordination layer than a full scheduling engine.
• Steep learning curve: Online reviewers frequently mention that the platform can feel overwhelming for new users because of the large number of modules, settings and administrative workflows involved.
• High cost and non-transparent pricing: One of the most common complaints from reviewers is Procore’s pricing structure. Smaller contractors often describe the software as expensive compared to competing construction management tools.
• Performance and speed complaints: Some users report slow loading times, especially when managing bid packages, large document sets or complex project environments with many workflows running simultaneously.
• Limited flexibility in certain workflows: Several reviewers mention situations where teams still rely on spreadsheets or external tracking systems because some Procore workflows are not customizable enough for their operational needs.
• Administrative overhead: Maintaining permissions, workflows, document standards and system organization can require significant setup and ongoing management effort, particularly on large multi-project deployments.

ProjectManager Is the Best Procore Alternative for Construction Project Management

While Procore helps with construction-specific workflows like RFIs, submittals, inspections and drawing management, its core project management capabilities are limited compared to dedicated project management software like ProjectManager.

ProjectManager delivers a more complete construction project management solution with robust Gantt charts, critical path analysis, workload management, resource scheduling, portfolio roadmaps, real-time dashboards, kanban boards, timesheets and automated reporting in one platform. Unlike Procore’s custom enterprise-style pricing model, ProjectManager is significantly more affordable and easier to implement, making it a more cost-effective option for contractors that need strong project planning, scheduling and monitoring tools without the complexity and high cost often associated with Procore.

ProjectManager also goes beyond traditional construction scheduling software with AI-powered project insights, workflow automation and real-time performance tracking that help teams identify risks and make faster decisions. In addition, the platform offers an open API and more than 1,000 integrations with tools such as Acumatica, Quickbooks, Microsoft Project, Slack and Google Workspace, making it easier for construction companies to connect project data across their existing software ecosystem.

Watch the video below to learn more!

More Procore Alternatives

Procore is not the only option for managing construction projects. Some companies prioritize advanced scheduling and resource planning while others need stronger portfolio management, forecasting or enterprise controls. Depending on the complexity of the work, contractors may find a better fit in specialized project management and scheduling software platforms.

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Project is a strong Procore alternative for contractors that need advanced scheduling, critical path analysis, baselines, workload management and resource planning. Compared to Procore, it offers more mature project scheduling functionality and greater control over task dependencies, forecasting and project timelines, especially for planning-heavy construction environments.

Related: 20 Best Microsoft Project Alternatives for 2026 (Free & Paid)

Primavera P6

Primavera P6 is a powerful Procore alternative for large-scale construction, engineering and infrastructure projects that require detailed scheduling and portfolio management. It supports advanced critical path analysis, resource leveling, earned value management and multi-project planning, making it especially popular among enterprise contractors managing highly complex construction programs.

Procore FAQs

Is Procore Free?

Procore is not free construction project management software. The platform uses a custom pricing model based on annual construction volume, selected modules and company requirements. Procore does not publicly publish standard subscription prices, though free demos and customized quotes are available for contractors, owners and construction management teams.

How Much Does Procore Cost?

Procore has long made it difficult to know how much the software costs because the company does not publish public pricing, which many contractors see as a drawback.

Having said that, Procore pricing varies based on company size, annual construction volume, selected products and implementation needs. Most contractors must contact Procore directly for a custom quote. Online reviewers frequently describe Procore as expensive compared to competing construction management software, especially for smaller construction firms with limited software budgets.

Can Procore Replace Microsoft Project or Primavera P6?

Procore can manage construction schedules, lookaheads and project coordination, but many contractors still rely on Microsoft Project, Primavera P6 or ProjectManager for advanced scheduling. Large construction firms often use Procore alongside dedicated scheduling software because Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project offer more advanced critical path and resource management capabilities.

Related Content

• 10 Best Procore Alternatives of 2025 (Free + Paid)
• 7 Microsoft Project Templates (Free MPP Files)
• Microsoft Project for Mac: How to Run MS Project Files on Mac
• Primavera P6 Scheduling: How to Create a P6 Schedule
• Primavera P6 vs. Microsoft Project: In-Depth Software Comparison

ProjectManager is online construction project management software that empowers teams to plan, manage and track their projects in real time. We connect architects and engineers in the office with your work crew on the job site so they can share files and comments to foster better collaboration. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

The post What Is Procore? Uses, Features and Pricing appeared first on ProjectManager.

Job scheduling is the process of planning, assigning and timing tasks so they are completed using available resources. It is commonly used in construction, manufacturing, maintenance and IT operations to organize work, coordinate labor and meet deadlines. Clear sequencing and resource allocation allow teams to execute work without delays or conflicts.

What Is a Job Schedule?

A job schedule is a structured plan that shows tasks, timelines and assigned resources for completing work. It is used to track when each task should start and finish, who is responsible and how activities are sequenced. By laying out dependencies and deadlines, it helps teams across industries coordinate execution and keep work moving without conflicts or delays.

ProjectManager is an award-winning project management software that helps teams across industries plan, schedule and track work from start to finish. Create detailed job schedules, manage resources, monitor costs and compare planned versus actual performance with a full suite of powerful tools including Gantt charts, kanban boards, real-time dashboards and much more. Get started for free today.

What Industries Use Job Scheduling?

Job scheduling is used anywhere work needs to be planned, sequenced and executed using limited resources. While the core principles remain the same, how schedules are built and managed varies depending on the type of work, the level of complexity and how resources are deployed.

Construction

On construction projects, job scheduling coordinates crews, equipment and subcontractors across multiple phases of work. Tasks must follow a strict sequence, as many activities depend on others being completed first. Delays in one area can impact the entire project, so schedules are continuously updated to reflect progress and keep work aligned with deadlines.

Manufacturing

Within manufacturing operations management, job scheduling organizes production tasks across machines, workstations and operators. Each job may follow a different process, requiring careful sequencing to avoid bottlenecks. Schedules must account for setup times, material availability and production capacity to ensure consistent output and prevent disruptions on the production line.

IT and Software Development

In IT projects, job scheduling is used to manage automated tasks, system processes and development workflows. Tasks such as data processing, system updates and deployments must run in a specific order to avoid conflicts. Schedules help teams coordinate dependencies, manage system loads and ensure that critical operations run at the right time.

Maintenance and Field Service

Maintenance planning teams rely on job scheduling to plan inspections, repairs and preventive work across multiple assets and locations. Schedules must balance urgent requests with routine service tasks while ensuring technicians and equipment are available. Effective scheduling reduces downtime, improves response times and helps maintain consistent asset performance.

Get your free

Gantt Chart Template

Use this free Gantt Chart Template for Excel to manage your projects better.

Download Excel File

Why Job Scheduling Matters

Across construction sites, production floors and service operations, job scheduling determines how work actually gets done day to day. Poor coordination leads to idle crews, missed deadlines and wasted materials, while structured scheduling aligns resources with demand. Teams that actively manage schedules can respond faster to changes and maintain steady progress without constant disruption.

• Efficient job scheduling ensures that labor, equipment and materials are allocated at the right time, preventing costly downtime and improving overall productivity across projects.
• Clear scheduling structures help teams avoid task conflicts and overlapping responsibilities, reducing confusion and ensuring that work progresses in a logical and controlled sequence.
• Accurate job schedules make it easier to meet deadlines by aligning task durations with realistic timelines, helping teams avoid delays that can impact project budgets and client expectations.
• Well-managed schedules improve resource utilization by balancing workloads across teams, preventing overloading some workers while others remain underutilized or idle.
• Structured job scheduling provides better visibility into ongoing work, allowing managers to track progress, identify bottlenecks early and make adjustments before issues escalate.
• Consistent scheduling practices support better cost control by reducing inefficiencies, minimizing rework and ensuring that resources are used effectively throughout the project lifecycle.
• Reliable job schedules create a foundation for better decision-making by providing real-time insight into project status, enabling teams to adapt quickly to changes in scope or priorities.

What Should Be Included in a Job Schedule?

Before work begins, a job schedule needs to clearly show what will be done, when it will happen and who is responsible. A complete structure removes guesswork during execution and gives teams a reliable reference point to track progress, adjust priorities and keep work aligned with deadlines.

• Job or Task Name: Each activity must be clearly labeled so teams can quickly identify what work needs to be performed without confusion.
• Task Description: A short explanation provides context on what the task involves, helping ensure consistency in how the work is executed.
• Start Date and Time: Defines exactly when a task is scheduled to begin, allowing teams to plan resource availability and sequencing.
• End Date and Time: Establishes when the task should be completed, creating clear expectations for delivery and progress tracking.
• Task Duration: The estimated time required to complete the task, which supports realistic scheduling and workload balancing.
• Assigned Resources: Identifies the workers, teams or equipment responsible for completing the task, ensuring accountability and coordination.
• Task Dependencies: Shows relationships between tasks, indicating which activities must be completed before others can start.
• Priority Level: Highlights the importance or urgency of each task so teams can focus on critical work first when conflicts arise.
• Status: Tracks whether tasks are not started, in progress or completed, giving real-time visibility into execution.
• Work Hours or Effort: Captures the amount of labor required, helping managers distribute workloads and avoid overallocating resources.
• Location or Work Area: Specifies where the task takes place, which is essential for coordinating teams across multiple sites or departments.
• Materials and Equipment Needed: Lists required inputs so teams can prepare in advance and avoid delays caused by missing resources.
• Constraints or Restrictions: Identifies limitations such as deadlines, regulations or resource availability that may impact how the task is performed.
• Notes or Instructions: Provides additional guidance or special considerations that help teams execute the work correctly and consistently.

Job Schedule Example

Consider a small construction project involving site preparation, foundation work and structural framing. The team needs to coordinate labor, materials and equipment across sequential tasks. A clear job schedule ensures each activity is properly timed, resources are available when needed and work progresses without delays or conflicts.

Job Scheduling Process

Getting from a vague scope of work to a clear, executable plan requires a structured approach. A well-defined job scheduling process helps teams organize tasks, sequence activities and align resources so work progresses in a controlled and predictable way.

1. Define the Job to Be Performed

Before anything is scheduled, the team must fully understand the job that will be performed. That means clarifying what work will be done, what goals and objectives need to be achieved and who the stakeholders are. Without this clarity, schedules become disconnected from reality and fail to support execution effectively.

2. Break Down the Job Into Individual Tasks

Once the job is clearly defined and understood by both leadership and the team responsible for execution, the next step is to divide the work into manageable tasks. Breaking down the scope of work allows each activity to be assigned, tracked and completed with clarity, reducing confusion and making the schedule easier to follow.

3. Identify Task Dependencies

Task dependencies determine the sequence in which work must be performed, giving the job schedule its logical structure. Some tasks cannot begin until others are completed, and recognizing these relationships is essential. There are four main types of task dependencies, and understanding them helps create a realistic and executable schedule.

4. Estimate the Duration of Tasks

Estimating task durations allows schedulers to build a realistic project timeline and understand how long the job will take overall. Methods such as expert judgment, historical data, CPM and PERT can be used. Since estimates rarely match actual results, comparing planned durations against real performance is critical during execution.

5. Create a Timeline for the Execution of the Job

With task durations defined, the next step is to assign start and end dates to each activity so the full timeline becomes visible. This timeline represents the job schedule that stakeholders will review and rely on. It also establishes a schedule baseline that allows teams to track progress and measure performance throughout execution.

6. Assign Resources for the Completion of Tasks

After the timeline is established, resources must be assigned to ensure each task can be completed as planned. This includes human resources such as workers and supervisors, as well as non-human resources like materials, equipment and components. Aligning these inputs with the schedule ensures that work can proceed without interruptions.

7. Estimate Resource Costs

Once resources are allocated, the next step is to estimate the costs associated with labor, materials and equipment. These projections provide a financial view of the job schedule and help guide decision-making. Because actual costs often vary from estimates, tracking real expenses is essential to maintain control over the budget.

8. Monitor Progress, Costs and Timelines

As work moves forward, performance must be tracked against the original plan to keep the job on course. Reviewing progress, timelines and costs together allows teams to identify deviations early and take corrective action. Continuous monitoring ensures that adjustments are based on real data rather than assumptions, keeping execution aligned with expectations.

What Tools Can Be Used for Making a Job Schedule?

Different tools can be used to build and manage a job schedule depending on the complexity of the work and the level of control required. The right tool helps teams visualize tasks, organize timelines and coordinate resources without losing track of dependencies or deadlines.

Gantt Charts

Gantt charts are one of the most effective tools for building a job schedule because they visually map tasks across a timeline. Teams can see start and end dates, task durations and dependencies in one place. This makes it easier to sequence work, adjust schedules and quickly understand how delays in one task affect the overall timeline.

Kanban Boards

Kanban boards help teams manage a job schedule by organizing tasks into visual columns that represent different stages of work. As tasks move from one stage to another, teams can track progress in real time. This approach is especially useful for managing workflows that require flexibility and continuous updates rather than rigid timelines.

Task Lists

Task lists provide a simple way to create and manage a job schedule by outlining tasks, deadlines and assigned resources in a structured format. They are easy to update and ideal for smaller jobs or teams that do not need complex scheduling tools. With clear priorities and deadlines, task lists help keep work organized and on track.

Types of Job Scheduling

Different scheduling approaches are used depending on deadlines, resource availability and how work flows through an operation. Choosing the right method helps teams structure timelines, prioritize tasks and adapt to constraints without disrupting execution.

Forward Job Scheduling

Forward job scheduling is a scheduling method used to plan tasks from the present time into the future based on available resources. It is commonly used when work can begin immediately and the goal is to complete jobs as early as possible. Tasks are scheduled in sequence as resources become available, often resulting in earlier completion but potential idle time between activities.

Backward Job Scheduling

Backward job scheduling is a scheduling method used to plan tasks by starting from a fixed deadline and working backward. It is commonly used when delivery dates are predetermined and meeting them is the priority. Tasks are scheduled as late as possible without delaying completion, reducing idle time but requiring accurate duration estimates.

Job Shop Scheduling

Job shop scheduling is a scheduling method used to organize tasks across multiple jobs that follow different workflows and sequences. It is commonly used in environments where each job has unique requirements and must pass through shared resources. This approach requires careful coordination to manage resource conflicts and maintain efficient task sequencing.

Batch Job Scheduling

Batch job scheduling is a scheduling method used to group similar tasks and process them together within a defined time period. It is commonly used when tasks share the same requirements or resources and can be executed in cycles. Grouping work into batches improves efficiency by reducing setup time and optimizing resource usage.

Free Job Scheduling Templates

We’ve created over 100 free project management templates for Excel, Word and Google Sheets. Here are some that can help with job scheduling.

Gantt Chart Template

This Gantt chart template helps plan and visualize job schedules by mapping tasks, timelines and dependencies, making it easier to track progress, coordinate resources and keep work aligned with deadlines.

Critical Path Template

This critical path template identifies the sequence of tasks that directly impact completion time, helping teams prioritize critical activities, reduce delays and maintain control over project timelines and execution.

PERT Chart Template

This PERT chart template helps estimate task durations and visualize dependencies, allowing teams to analyze uncertainty, plan realistic schedules and improve decision-making when managing complex job scheduling scenarios.

ProjectManager Is a Robust Job Scheduling Software

ProjectManager is an online project management solution that provides a complete set of work planning, scheduling and tracking tools, including Gantt charts, kanban boards, task lists and real-time dashboards and reports. With these features, teams across industries can build detailed job schedules, assign resources and monitor progress, costs and timelines.

ProjectManager also delivers AI-powered project insights to support better decision-making and connects with over 100 tools like Microsoft Project, Acumatica and Power BI. With its open API and wide range of integrations, organizations can seamlessly link ProjectManager to their existing systems. Watch the video below to learn more!

Related Job Management Content

• How to Make a Job Cost Report for Construction
• What Is Job Costing? How to Make a Job Cost Sheet (Example Included)
• Job Management: Phases, Tools & Documentation
• Job Planning Explained: How to Make a Job Plan
• 10 Best Job Tracking Software of 2026 (Free & Paid)
• Job Card Template
• Job Estimate Template

If you need a tool to help you manage projects, then signup for our software now at ProjectManager. Our online software helps teams across industries plan, track and oversee projects as they unfold. Sign up for a free 30-day trial today!

The post Job Scheduling 101: Making a Job Schedule appeared first on ProjectManager.

When to Use a Printable Gantt Chart

Organizations rely on printable Gantt charts when stakeholders need offline visibility, approvals require hard copies, schedules must be shared in boardrooms, training sessions or client reviews and regulated environments demand documented timelines that remain accessible to reference without software access.

Why Use ProjectManager’s Printable Gantt Chart?

ProjectManager stands out because its Gantt chart is built into a complete project management platform rather than isolated software. Users can plan tasks, assign resources, track costs, manage dependencies and adjust schedules in real time. When those plans need to be shared offline, the platform makes it easy to print clear, professional Gantt charts that reflect live project data without manual rework while supporting complex portfolios, cross-functional teams and evolving timelines across organizations of varying size and operational maturity levels.

While the printable Gantt chart template we include in this blog is great, it doesn’t have all the features that come with online Gantt chart software. If you want a Gantt chart that updates in real time and is still printable, sign up for ProjectManager. It’s easy to create a Gantt chart in seconds where you can plan, schedule and assign work. Track tasks, slippage, costs, time and workload in one place. Then, print the software’s online Gantt chart to share it with stakeholders. Get started by taking a free 30-day trial.

ProjectManager’s Printable Gantt Chart Features

Behind printed schedules is a set of features that preserve accuracy and structure. ProjectManager’s printable Gantt chart includes visual controls and planning elements that translate complex project data into a format teams can understand, review and manage beyond the screen. With our software’s Gantt chart, here’s what you can expect.

Four Types of Task Dependencies

Scheduling logic matters when tasks interact. ProjectManager’s Gantt chart identifies all four dependency types—finish-to-start, start-to-start, finish-to-finish and start-to-finish—so teams understand how work flows. Visual links reveal sequencing constraints, prevent conflicts and help managers forecast schedule impacts when timelines shift or tasks change during execution across complex, multi-phase projects involving parallel activities and interdependent deliverables at scale over time.

Work Breakdown Structure

Structure keeps large schedules readable. ProjectManager’s Gantt chart displays a dedicated WBS column that organizes work hierarchically. Users can define project phases, group parent tasks and break work into subtasks. This structure clarifies scope, supports planning accuracy and allows teams to collapse or expand task levels while reviewing printed schedules for stakeholders and auditors across formal project reviews and approvals.

Project Milestones

Key moments deserve instant visibility. ProjectManager’s Gantt chart uses a modern interface that highlights project milestones directly on the timeline. Diamond icons visually separate milestones from tasks, making them easy to spot at a glance. This clarity helps teams track critical achievements, communicate progress and maintain focus during planning sessions and printed status reviews across complex organizational initiatives and portfolios.

Get your free

Printable Gantt Chart

Use this free Printable Gantt Chart for Excel to manage your projects better.

Download Excel File

Critical Path Analysis

Schedule risk becomes visible when logic drives timelines. ProjectManager’s Gantt chart automatically calculates and displays the critical path using task dependencies alongside estimated and actual start and finish dates. As schedules evolve, the critical path updates dynamically, allowing teams to identify activities that directly impact delivery dates and focus attention on tasks with zero float before delays cascade through the project.

Related: 20 Best Gantt Chart Software of 2026 (Free & Paid)

Resource Allocation

Planning work without resources creates blind spots. ProjectManager’s Gantt chart supports allocating both human and non-human resources, including materials and equipment, directly to tasks. Capacity and workload charts complement the schedule by revealing overallocations and idle time, helping teams rebalance assignments, optimize utilization and maintain productivity while coordinating complex projects across departments and shared resource pools.

Project Cost Management

Cost control starts at the planning stage and continues through execution. ProjectManager’s Gantt chart enables teams to set project budgets, estimate task-level costs and monitor spending as work progresses. Actual costs are tracked alongside planned values, making variances immediately visible. Built-in timesheets capture labor hours for accurate labor cost tracking, while real-time comparisons between estimates, budgets and actuals support informed decisions, corrective actions and financial accountability throughout the entire project lifecycle.

Robust Project Tracking

Visibility improves when tracking adapts to the project, not the other way around. ProjectManager’s Gantt chart includes customizable columns that let managers define their own tracking categories directly within the schedule grid. Planned performance is measured by comparing estimated task start and finish dates against actual dates as work progresses.

The same side-by-side logic applies to estimated versus actual costs, making deviations immediately clear. Task-level percentage completion is displayed visually, allowing teams to assess progress at a glance. Together, these capabilities turn the Gantt chart into a centralized tracking system that supports schedule control, cost oversight and informed decision-making throughout execution.

Free Printable Gantt Chart Template

For teams that prefer spreadsheets, this free printable Gantt chart template for Excel is built with printing in mind. Simply click on the image below to download the template. The layout is optimized to fit cleanly across two landscape-oriented pages, making it ideal for meetings, reviews and offline schedule sharing without manual resizing or adjustments.

Instead of spending time formatting charts, this template focuses on speed and simplicity. Users generate a complete Gantt timeline by entering basic schedule data, while the file handles layout and visualization automatically.

• List project tasks in the spreadsheet grid
• Enter start and due dates for each task
• Let the template auto-generate a stacked bar Gantt timeline
• No chart formatting or scaling required
• Print directly in a two-page landscape layout with correct spacing

Free Related Project Management Templates for Excel

We’ve created over 100 project management templates that can help with every stage of the project life cycle. Here are some of them that could work well with a printable Gantt chart template for Excel.

Project Charter Template for Excel

This Excel project charter template captures authority, scope, risks and success criteria in a single document. It aligns sponsors, project managers and stakeholders by documenting goals, milestones, budgets and approvals, creating a clear governance reference before planning and execution begin.

Project Plan Template for Excel

Designed for execution-focused teams, this Excel project plan template connects objectives, scope, schedule, resources, budget and risks. It centralizes roles, milestones and success criteria, helping managers coordinate work, track progress and maintain control from kickoff through closeout across complex initiatives.

Project Budget Template for Excel

Built for detailed cost control, this Excel project budget template tracks labor, materials and fixed costs at the task level. Planned and actual amounts roll up automatically, making variances visible while supporting WBS-based budgeting, resource assignments and accurate financial oversight throughout execution.

ProjectManager Offers Much More than a Printable Gantt Chart

ProjectManager’s software offers much more than just Gantt charts. Teams in industries like construction, manufacturing, professional services, IT and more love to use various other project views, including the sheet, list, kanban board and calendar. From workflow and automation to the latest AI technology, our software has everything you need to stay productive.

Use AI Project Insights to Minimize Risks

In just a click, AI Project Insights analyzes your project data and makes specific recommendations. It can help you identify potential risks and issues, providing you with tangible steps on how to keep your project on track.

Share Reports with Stakeholders

Keeping project stakeholders updated on project progress is essential. Generate custom reports in a few clicks, allowing you to keep stakeholders in the loop on various aspects of your project. You can use reports alongside our project and portfolio dashboards to track data in real time.

Related Gantt Chart Content

• How to Make a Gantt Chart in Excel Step By Step
• Free Gantt Chart Templates for Excel, Google Sheets & More
• Benefits of a Gantt Chart for Project Management
• How to Make a Gantt Chart: Steps, Tools & Tips
• Displaying the Critical Path on a Gantt Chart
• WBS and Gantt Chart: How to Use This Project Management Duo
• 20 Best Gantt Chart Software of 2026 (Free & Paid)

ProjectManager is online software that helps teams organize their work no matter where they are or how they work. Get real-time data for better decision-making while connecting teams and fostering collaboration. Deliver products on time, within your budget and with the level of quality that your customers expect. Try ProjectManager for free today!

The post Printable Gantt Chart by ProjectManager appeared first on ProjectManager.

In this blog, we’ll go over the key features and pros and cons of a Canva Gantt chart, as well as some alternatives that can be used instead.

What Is Canva?

Canva is an online graphic design tool that allows users to edit images and videos for creative briefs, presentations, websites and many other creative projects. For example, it can help design printed products, make a logo for a business or create social media content.

The software uses a drag-and-drop interface to make the design process easier. Since its introduction in 2013, Canva has added services such as a print product platform and video editing tool. It has a free model, but users can unlock premium features and upgrade to Canva Pro for professional design tools.

This has made Canva one of the most popular graphic design tools used by creative business owners. It’s simple enough to use that beginners can make a quick graphic on a collaborative platform. The web-based tool has regular updates and additions that are constantly improving its functionality.

Does Canva Have a Gantt Chart?

Gantt charts are foundational tools for managing work. While Canva focuses on graphic design and offering users a simple and effective way to make quick designs, it falls short on project management. It relies on the graphic creation of presentations and other visual tools. However, it falls short when managing those projects with essential tools, such as Gantt charts.

Gantt charts are made up of two parts. On the left is a spreadsheet that lists all the project tasks, their duration and related costs and resources. On the right, this data is populated on a visual timeline that shows the entire project on one page. Gantt charts can then plot milestones, link dependencies and more, giving managers greater control when planning, managing and tracking projects.

Related: Best Gantt Chart Software Rankings

Canva has templates and design tools that can mimic a Gantt chart, but lack the features that project managers need to ensure their projects are delivered on time and within budget. Design apps like Canva aren’t built for that sort of work.

Short Answer: Yes, Canva Has a Gantt Chart

Canva doesn’t have a built-in Gantt chart feature but has free and paid productivity and document editing tools such as tables, graphs and charts that can be used to make a basic Gantt chart. To do so, export the Canva Gantt chart as an image or PDF format and attach it to a project documentation or presentation slides.

Long Answer: Canva’s Gantt Chart Lacks Key Features for Project Management

Canva has Gantt chart templates to list tasks and edit timelines and bars. These Gantt chart templates can also add details, such as milestones and assignees. But because Canva relies so heavily on templates there is limited customization. This restricts creative freedom and, more importantly, limits the value of using a real, robust Gantt chart.

Not using a real Gantt chart could mean the difference between a successful project and a failure. Don’t take that risk. ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software with powerful Gantt charts that are easy to use. They can do everything a normal Gantt chart can do, such as organizing tasks, resources and costs, but go beyond the basics. Users can link all four types of task dependencies to avoid costly delays, filter for the critical path to identify essential tasks and set a baseline to track planned effort against actual effort in real time to stay on schedule and keep to the project budget. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

Canva Gantt Chart Features

As previously mentioned, Canva allows users to assemble a basic, visual approximation of a Gantt chart using Canva’s graphic-design elements. While this can produce a simple timeline illustration, it lacks the functionality, automation and data-driven capabilities of a true Gantt chart found in project management software.

• Tables to structure task names and time periods.
• Rectangles and shape elements to represent task bars.
• Drag-and-drop resizing to visually adjust bar lengths.
• Color fills to differentiate phases or task categories.
• Text boxes for task names, dates and labels.
• Line and arrow elements to illustrate dependencies visually.
• Grid and alignment tools to create cleaner layouts.
• Templates that can serve as a starting point for timeline-style designs.

What Project Management Features Is Canva Gantt Chart Missing?

Because Canva is not a project management platform, its makeshift Gantt charts do not include any real project management features. It cannot calculate schedules, track progress, manage resources or monitor budgets. Canva can only display graphics—the operational and analytical capabilities required for managing projects simply do not exist in the tool.

• Canva provides no features for managing team capacity or assigning resources, so workload distribution and utilization analysis aren’t possible.
• There’s no logic engine for identifying the critical path—Canva cannot calculate FS, SS, FF or SF task dependencies.
• Financial oversight tools are absent; you can’t track project costs, compare planned vs actual spending or build budget variance reports.
• Baseline creation isn’t supported, meaning there’s no way to freeze an original plan or measure schedule or cost deviations over time.
• Milestones can only be drawn manually; Canva doesn’t support date-driven milestone mapping or automatic milestone updates.
• Progress tracking isn’t built in—you can’t update percent complete, monitor task health or generate status summaries.
• Task relationships aren’t functional; while you can sketch dependencies visually, Canva cannot enforce or update them in response to schedule changes.
• Canva offers no alternative project views—features like kanban boards, dashboards, timeline views or task lists simply don’t exist.

How to Make a Canva Gantt Chart Better With ProjectManager

Don’t let Canva keep the power of a Gantt chart beyond reach. Get a fully functional Gantt chart that can do much more than the bare-bones ones users make in Canva. Follow these steps to create a better Gantt chart in ProjectManager.

Before we dive into the process let’s quickly go over a side-by-side comparison of ProjectManager’s Gantt chart and Canva’s Gantt chart.

Canva Gantt Chart	ProjectManager Gantt Chart
No real task dependencies — only drawn manually (not functional)	Four fully functional task dependencies (FS, SS, FF, SF)
No auto-shift behavior — moving a bar does nothing	Automatic cascading updates for all linked tasks
Milestones can only be drawn as shapes	Built-in milestones, subtasks and hierarchy tools for accurate scheduling
No ability to set or compare baselines	Full baseline tracking and schedule/cost variance reporting
Single static visual — no true multi-project view	Supports portfolio-level Gantt charts and multi-project roadmapping
No cost, budget or planned-vs-actual tracking	Tracks estimated vs. actual costs with real-time budget reporting
No resource workload, allocation or utilization tools	Resource allocation, workload monitoring and utilization charts built in
No percent-complete tracking — everything must be drawn manually	Percent-complete column with automatic sync to dashboards and reports
No task prioritization or task-level metadata	Priority fields, custom columns and full task-level detail panels
Only visual “sections” if manually drawn	Supports full Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) hierarchy
No column customization — it’s just graphics	Fully customizable columns for tasks, dates, costs, resources and more
Exports are limited to static images of your design	Exports to PDF, Excel and images with structured project data included
Manual drag-and-drop of shapes (no actual scheduling logic)	Advanced drag-and-drop task scheduling with real-time recalculations
No planned vs. actual duration tracking	Tracks planned vs. actual hours automatically for schedule accuracy
Only basic templates for timelines, none for real Gantt charts	Ready-made Gantt chart templates for multiple industries and use cases

1. Start a Free Trial

Take a free trial with ProjectManager. There’s no credit card info needed. Once signed up, users have 30 days to kick the tires and explore the features of ProjectManager. There are Gantt charts, of course, but also task and resource management features, risk management tools and real-time dashboards and customizable reports to monitor and control projects to deliver them successfully.

2. Import Project Tasks Into ProjectManager

Instead of manually adding tasks into Canva, you can instantly import several columns of project data from existing Excel spreadsheets, CSV files or even Microsoft Project files.

3. Select Options

Now, decide if this will be a new project or if it should be added to an existing project. If it’s new, name it, and if it’s being added to a project, note whether to keep or delete the existing data.

4. Create a Robust ProjectManager Gantt Chart with More Features Than a Canva Gantt Chart

A popup window will say, “Success!” showing that the project has been imported. It’s now a real Gantt chart in ProjectManager. Look around and see what our Gantt chart can do. It’s packed with features, can be shared with the team and also links to the other project views (kanban boards, task lists, calendars, etc.) and informs other features, such as the dashboard, reports and workload chart.

Get your free

Gantt Chart Template

Use this free Gantt Chart Template to manage your projects better.

Get the Template

Canva Gantt Chart Pricing

Canva does not include a built-in Gantt chart in any of its pricing plans. All versions only allow a manually designed, static timeline using shapes, tables or stacked bar-style graphics. However, chart availability varies by plan—some advanced chart types and customization features are only included in paid tiers.

• Free ($0): No built-in Gantt chart. Limited access to chart types; some advanced charts and customizations are locked behind paid plans.
• Pro ($14.99/user/month): No built-in Gantt chart. Full access to Canva’s chart library, including stacked bar charts and additional customization tools.
• Teams ($29.99/user/month): No built-in Gantt chart. Includes all Pro chart features plus enhanced collaboration and asset management.
• Enterprise (custom pricing): No built-in Gantt chart. Offers admin and brand controls; chart functionality remains the same as Pro.

ProjectManager’s Gantt Chart Does More Than a Canva Gantt Ever Could

Now it’s time to look at ProjectManager’s Gantt chart and see what it can do. There’s no reason to ever go back to Canva because our Gantt chart seamlessly integrates with the rest of our project tools. That means users can track time and costs, balance workload and much more.

Set Milestones & Track Baselines

Milestones are represented by diamond icons. They are used to indicate important project dates, such as the end of one phase and the beginning of another. They can help track progress, but for a more powerful tracking tool, set a baseline. Once the baseline is captured on the Gantt chart, users get real-time data on how the project is doing. They can see planned costs against actual costs and planned progress against actual progress in real time to help deliver the project successfully. Plus, it’s easy to filter for the critical path. There are no time-consuming and complicated calculations needed. Try that on Canva.

Filter by Priority, Dependencies & More

The Gantt chart can be filtered in any number of ways to allow project managers to focus on the information they want to see. For example, they can filter by priority to ensure those tasks are being executed in a timely fashion. It’s also possible to filter by dependencies to avoid delays. Canva can’t do that. A big difference between Canva and ProjectManager is that users can link all four types of task dependencies. There are also customized tags to make tasks easier to find. It’s easy to assign team members to tasks, see their availability and better manage resources.

What Can You Use a Canva Gantt Chart For?

Canva Gantt charts are simplistic and only allow for basic task management and scheduling. Users can plan and schedule project tasks, track their progress on timelines and visualize the project in one place. While these Gantt charts can be helpful in specific situations, they aren’t nearly as powerful as project management software.

How to Create a Canva Gantt Chart

If you’re still curious about how to make a Canva Gantt chart, we’ve outlined what you should know. There are two main methods for making a Gantt chart in Canva. Use a free or paid Canva Gantt chart template or make one from scratch. Here’s a quick overview of both of these approaches.

Use a Canva Gantt Chart Template

Using a template is the easiest way to make a Gantt chart in Canva.

1. Choose a Gantt Chart Template From Canva’s Library

First, log into the Canva account and use the search box to look for a Gantt chart template.

There are hundreds of Gantt chart templates in Canva’s library. However, some of them aren’t free and require a paid plan. Also, it’s important to notice that most Gantt chart templates available in Canva’s library are uploaded by users, so there might be some errors.

2. Edit the Canva Gantt Chart Template

Then after having chosen a template, edit it further to visualize the project schedule as shown in the image below. We edited this Canva Gantt chart template to list project tasks and their due dates on a visual calendar.

This is the most basic version of a Gantt chart. Ideally, a Gantt chart should track many other task details such as resources, costs, priority, status and more. Unfortunately, most of the project templates in Canva’s library have a similar level of detail as this template. On top of that, editing these Canva Gantt chart templates can be hard to do, as most of them don’t function as spreadsheets but rather as images which editing requires lots of manual work.

Make a Canva Gantt Chart From Scratch

To add more details to a Canva Gantt chart than those offered by Canva’s templates, make one from scratch by following the steps below.

1. Make a Gantt Chart Grid in Canva

The easiest way to make a Gantt chart grid in Canva is to insert a table. To do so, open a new Canva presentation, whiteboard or document view and look for a table using the “Elements” search box on the left side of the screen. By default, the table will come with three columns, so begin by editing these three columns, one for listing your project tasks and their start and end dates.

Now let’s add the fields we referenced, a priority level, assignee and estimated cost of each project task. To do this, simply click the three dots of the right-end column of the table and then click “Add column.” When done, the Canva Gantt chart grid should look like this.

2. Make a Gantt Chart Timeline in Canva

Now, create the other half of the Canva Gantt chart, the stacked bar project timeline. To do so, add 12 columns to the right and one row at the top.

Then merge those cells until it looks like the example below.

Finally, insert rounded square shapes and adjust their size to fit each of the project task rows to indicate their duration. Fill out all the Gantt chart grid cells with the project information and adjust the task bars accordingly.

ProjectManager Has Better Gantt Charts Than Canva

As stated above, ProjectManager is software specifically designed to plan, schedule and track projects from start to finish, which is the main reason why it offers a much better Gantt chart tool than Canva. Let’s zoom into other advantages of using ProjectManager’s Gantt charts.

Advanced Gantt Chart Features

ProjectManager is one of the best Gantt chart software due to its advanced project management features that will allow you to link four types of task dependencies, allocate resources, identify the critical path of your project, track project costs and much more. Use the task information panel popup on the Gantt chart to change priority levels, set milestones, add inter-project dependencies and more.

Multiple Project Management Tools

Use other project management tools besides Gantt charts such as kanban boards, project calendars, task lists, roadmaps and spreadsheets. Each of these offers a different perspective on your projects.

Track Project Progress, Schedule, Resources & Costs

Real-time dashboards automatically collect data from the Gantt chart in real time and show project metrics in easy-to-read charts for a high-level overview of the project status. Customizable reports get more detailed information on project and portfolio status, workload, timesheets, variance and more.

Resource management tools, such as the color-coded workload chart and team page show how work is being distributed among team members so you can reallocate resources to keep teams working at capacity and increase productivity.

More Free Gantt Chart Templates

While Excel is the most popular choice for Gantt chart templates, other free productivity tools can help make a Gantt chart.

• Gantt Chart Template for PowerPoint
• Gantt Chart Template for Google Sheets
• Gantt Chart Template for Word

While all these Gantt chart templates can be used to make a simple project schedule, they can’t compete with the functionality offered by project management software like ProjectManager.

Related Gantt Chart Content

We’ve created dozens of blogs, templates and guides to help understand how to use Gantt charts to manage projects. Here are some of them.

• 14 Best Gantt Chart Software of 2024 (Free & Paid)
• 5 Tools to Make a Gantt Chart on Mac
• How to Make a Gantt Chart In Excel
• How to Make a Gantt Chart in Google Sheets (Template Included)
• Trello Gantt Charts: How to Make a Gantt Chart in Trello
• Microsoft Planner Gantt Chart: How to Make a Gantt Chart in Microsoft Planner

ProjectManager is online project and portfolio management software that connects teams in the office, out in the field and anywhere in between. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay updated with email and in-app notifications. Join teams at Avis, Nestle and Siemens who use our tool to deliver successful projects. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

The post Canva Gantt Chart: A How-to Guide With Pros, Cons & Alternatives appeared first on ProjectManager.

Let’s take a look at this popular project management software and see if it delivers on one of the most essential project management tools. We’ll avoid the question as to why Monday.com named itself after the most hated day of the week and leave that for another time.

What Is Monday.com?

Monday.com bills itself as a work management tool. It says its purpose is to help teams and their organizations work more efficiently. It does this with features that track projects and create workflows, adding automation and visual data. But it’s mostly a collaborative tool.

This highly customizable tool is understandably popular as it has a forever-free plan. Its modern look appeals to a wide range of consumers, and there are tons of templates to create boards and automation. It integrates with a lot of other apps. Plus, there are bells and whistles that the general public will enjoy, such as animated fireworks when you complete a task, though this isn’t likely to sway project management professionals.

But what about that all-important project management tool, the Gantt chart? It’s not unusual that the free plan is limited to two users and doesn’t have a full suite of features. Less unusual is the confusing pricing plans. But for our discussion, it all boils down to one question.

Does Monday.com Have a Gantt Chart?

Why is the question of a Monday.com Gantt chart so critical? That’s because Gantt charts are the go-to tool for scheduling and planning a project. True, agile teams aren’t going to be interested in Gantt charts, but the upper management who oversees them will likely be working on Gantt charts.

Yes, Gantt charts are best for traditional, waterfall methodology, but with cross-functional teams, you need a full array of project tools at your disposal, not just task lists or kanban boards, as important as those tools are. Gantt charts are like spreadsheets with the right side populated with a timeline showing the entire project.

Related: Best Gantt Chart Software Rankings

More than just a visual tool, they can link dependencies to avoid costly delays, set milestones to help with project tracking, organize tasks, resources, costs and much more. They break projects into phases to make them more manageable. Few project managers would want to run a project without one. So is there a Monday.com Gantt chart?

Short Answer: Yes, Monday.com Has Gantt Charts

There is a Monday.com Gantt chart. It can be used to track project plans, monitor your progress and measure against your objectives at a basic level. Monday.com Gantt charts are good to manage any business or personal work. That’s true, in the most rudimentary way.

Long Answer: Monday.com Gantt Charts Lack Key Features for Project Management

Monday.com’s Gantt chart meets the minimum requirements to make a project timeline, but it can’t really be considered a Gantt chart tool that project managers can use to plan, schedule and monitor their projects.

If you’re looking for a powerful Gantt chart that can help plan, manage and track projects in real time, you’re looking for ProjectManager. Our award-winning project management software has robust Gantt charts that do everything Monday Gantt charts do and so much more. It’s easy to drag and drop all four types of task dependencies, you can filter for the critical path and set a baseline to track project variance in real time. That data is shared across the app, such as in real-time dashboards, timesheets, workload charts and much more. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

Monday.com Gantt Chart Features

The monday.com Gantt chart offers an intuitive visual timeline for planning and tracking projects. Teams can easily adjust task durations, set dependencies and visualize progress using customizable colors and layouts. With real-time collaboration, drag-and-drop scheduling and baseline comparisons, it helps users manage timelines and keep all stakeholders aligned on project milestones.

• Drag-and-drop task bars to adjust schedule.
• Create and manage task dependencies and milestones.
• Critical path calculation and visualization.
• Baseline snapshot feature to compare actual vs planned schedule.
• Customize time-scale view (days, weeks, months, quarters).
• Import tasks from Excel to board and convert into Gantt view.
• 100% customizable visuals: colors, labels, layout.
• Real-time updates and collaboration across teams.
• Integrations with other tools and workflows/automation support.
• View subtasks/items within Gantt view.
• Setting different groups for tasks/tasks phases and grouping in Gantt view.

What Project Management Features Is Monday.com Gantt Chart Missing?

While monday.com’s Gantt chart is sleek and user-friendly, it lacks several core project management capabilities. It doesn’t include resource allocation, cost tracking or workload balancing tools. Features like earned value analysis, cross-project dependencies and forecasting are missing, limiting its use for advanced performance analysis or comprehensive schedule and cost management.

• Monday.com’s Gantt chart does not allow users to allocate resources directly to project tasks.
• It does not provide workload balancing or resource capacity views.
• Estimated vs. actual cost tracking for tasks is not supported within the Gantt chart.
• Baseline creation and variance tracking are limited to schedule only—no cost or performance baselines.
• It does not offer a percent-complete column for tracking task progress numerically within the chart.
• Task prioritization indicators (e.g., high, medium, low) are not displayed in the Gantt view.
• Only one type of task dependency (finish-to-start) with no lead/lag time configuration.
• Cross-project dependencies are not supported.
• Risk management indicators (probability, impact, mitigation) are not visualized in the Gantt.
• Automatic recalculation of schedules after dependency or duration changes is limited.

How To Make a Monday.com Gantt Chart Better With ProjectManager

If you’re stuck using Monday.com but want to experience the full range of what a Gantt chart can do, there’s a workaround that can free you from the constraints of a Monday.com Gantt chart. ProjectManager makes it easy to take your project from Monday.com and import it into our software, freeing you to use a Gantt chart the way it should be used.

To get started, visit ProjectManager and take our free 30-day trial. There’s no credit card needed. It’s completely free and you’ll get access not only to our free Gantt chart software, but also task management, risk management and resource management features, plus multiple project planning views, real-time dashboards, timesheets and many more valuable project management tools. But before we dive into the process, let’s compare Monday.com’s Gantt chart and ProjectManager’s Gantt chart.

monday.com Gantt Chart	ProjectManager Gantt Chart
Drag-and-drop task bars to adjust schedule	Drag-and-drop scheduling with automated dependency updates
Only one type of task dependency available	Four types of task dependencies (FS, SS, FF, SF)
Critical path calculation and visualization	Critical path analysis built-in with real-time visualisation
Milestones support	Milestones, subtasks, and percent-complete tracking
Baseline snapshot feature to compare actual vs planned schedule	Baseline vs actual schedule and cost tracking
Customize time-scale view (days, weeks, months, quarters)	Time-scaled view with duration, start/end dates, and schedule variance
Import tasks from Excel to board and convert into Gantt view	Import MS Project, CSV, Excel and convert to live Gantt
100% customizable visuals: colors, labels, layout	Custom colours, labels, layouts plus advanced visual filters
Real-time updates and collaboration across team	Real-time team collaboration + schedule, cost and resource integration
Integrations with other tools and workflows/automation support	Wide integrations + built-in reporting, resource & cost modules
View subtasks/items within Gantt view	Tasks, subtasks, WBS hierarchy supported
Grouping by task phases and setting groups in Gantt view	Supports WBS, phases, grouping and multi-project rollups
Filter and drill down into items within Gantt	Interactive filters, drill-down, analytical dashboards included
Does not allow resource allocation, workload balancing	Built-in resource allocation and workload tracking
Does not support estimated vs actual task cost tracking	Allows cost estimation, actuals, variance tracking
No cost baseline feature for monitoring cost variance	Schedule and cost baselines & variances supported
No multi-board/cross-project dependencies without workarounds	Cross-project dependencies and portfolio Gantt views supported
No what-if scenario modelling or simulation	What-if modelling and schedule simulations available
Progress tracking visual only, no built-in percent-complete or trend metrics	Percent-complete, variance trends and analytics built into Gantt

Export & Import Your Monday.com Projects

Pick the project from Monday.com that you want to export. Save it as a CSV or Excel file. Now it’s ready to be imported into ProjectManager.

Choose the Excel File

Log into ProjectManager and toggle to the Gantt chart where you’ll see an import button. Click it and a window will pop up that says “Import a Project.” Click “Select File” and find your Monday.com project and select it.

Select Options

Now that your Monday.com file is uploaded to ProjectManager, you’ll want to decide if this is going to be a new project or if you’d prefer to add it to an existing project. If you’re adding to an existing project, be sure to note whether to keep the existing data or delete it.

Import What Data?

The last step is to either import all the data from your Monday.com file or only the task list. Select the one you want to import and click next.

Create a Gantt Chart!

When you see the “Success!” window, that means you’re done. The Monday.com file has been imported and you’re ready to use a real Gantt chart in ProjectManager. Now you’ll see what a real Gantt chart can do. It’s packed with features and connects to the rest of your project management software.

Monday.com Gantt Chart Pricing

The Gantt chart view in Monday.com is available starting from the Standard plan. It’s not included in the Free or Basic plans, which can be limiting for smaller teams or individuals managing simple projects. Paid tiers unlock timeline and Gantt functionality along with more advanced features.

• Free Plan: Monday.com Gantt chart is not included in this pricing plan.
• Basic Plan ($9/user/month, billed annually): Monday.com Gantt chart is not included in this pricing plan, which only offers basic dashboards and views.
• Standard Plan ($12/user/month, billed annually): Monday.com Gantt chart is included in this plan with timeline and dependency features for task scheduling.
• Pro Plan ($19/user/month, billed annually): Monday.com Gantt chart is included in this plan with additional capabilities such as formulas, and time tracking.
• Enterprise Plan (custom pricing): Monday.com Gantt chart is included in this plan with some portfolio management, resource management, and reporting features.

What Can You Use a Monday.com Gantt Chart For?

The monday.com Gantt chart is primarily designed to help teams visualize their project timelines. It provides a clear, interactive way to map out tasks, deadlines and dependencies, making it useful for presenting schedules and ensuring everyone understands the project’s flow. However, its role ends there.

The monday.com Gantt chart functions mainly as a visual planning aid rather than a true project management tool. It lacks the advanced capabilities needed for complete project control, such as resource allocation, workload balancing, cost tracking and progress analysis.

Users can see when tasks are due, but not how delays or cost overruns affect the overall plan. There’s also no built-in functionality for forecasting, performance measurement or detailed reporting. While it’s helpful for creating attractive, easy-to-read timelines, monday.com’s Gantt chart falls short of what project managers need to fully plan, schedule and monitor a project’s performance from start to finish.

How to Use Your Monday.com Gantt Chart in ProjectManager

Now let’s look at what ProjectManager can do when you use your Monday.com Gantt chart in our software. For one thing, our Gantt chart seamlessly integrates with the rest of our project tools. You can share the Gantt chart with your team and stakeholders, track progress and performance on real-time dashboards and even auto-fill timesheets.

But before we start showing off the features of the Gantt chart, let’s focus on what our Gantt chart can do. It’s a powerful tool unto itself, which is cheaper than the 40-percent price increase that Monday.com implemented in 2022. With our software, it’s easier to onboard and train your team and it has impressive reporting functionality. You can’t even link tasks between boards or add holidays to know your team’s availability. Here are some other noteworthy aspects of our Gantt charts.

Set Milestones for Your Progress

Milestones are important dates in your project and they show up on our Gantt chart as diamond icons. Simply point and click when you want them. They’re great to indicate important deliverables, such as delivering the project plan to the client for approval. Traditionally, they’re used to mark the end or the beginning of a project phase. This is helpful in that it allows you to track your progress and make sure you’re keeping to the schedule.

Filter By Priority, Dependency and Tags

A big difference between Monday.com and ProjectManager is when you want to link task dependencies or work that can’t be done until another task is either started or finished. Our software makes it easy to link dependent tasks, Monday.com doesn’t. We also allow you to link all four types of dependencies. There are also customized tags, priority levels and more you can add to tasks to make them easier to find. Just filter the Gantt chart by what you want to see, such as the critical path in the screenshot below. It’s that easy.

Our Gantt Chart is All Yours

What a pleasure it is to use a Gantt chart that works with you instead of against you. Monday.com’s Gantt charts are one in a long line of difficult Gantt charts. Remember, people used to make these by hand. Even on a spreadsheet, they’re complicated and aggravating to edit and almost impossible to share. You don’t want multiple copies with different data floating around.

You’ll find none of those roadblocks when you plan, manage and track your project on our software. Our Gantt chart is easy to share. You can edit by simply dragging and dropping. All associated tasks automatically update to reflect the change. You can add color to make it easier to see the different project phases and much more.

Get Notified of Progress

Because our software is online, our Gantt chart always has up-to-date information that is shared across our multiple project views. You’re always working on the same page as your teammates, whether they’re in the next office or next time zone. You can share files, comments and more to foster collaboration. For example, anytime the Gantt is changed or a task is commented on, you’re instantly notified by email and there’s even an in-app alert so you don’t have to leave the tool.

Other Project Management Features From ProjectManager

Now that you’re loving our Gantt chart, why not take a look around the software and see what else we have to offer? You can set availability when you onboard your team to make assignments easier, balance the team’s workload to keep them working at capacity, boost productivity and so much more.

Kanban Boards

While project managers love Gantt charts, project teams don’t need that level of engagement with the project. They want to do their tasks, which is why we have multiple project views, such as task lists, calendars and the visual workflow tool of a kanban board. The kanban board lets teams manage their backlog and plan sprints together, while project managers get visibility into their work and can reallocate resources to remove roadblocks to keep the team working uninterrupted.

Real-Time Dashboard

We’ve talked a little about the real-time dashboard, which automatically collects live project data and displays it on easy-to-read graphs and charts. It gives you a high-level overview of the project’s progress and performance across a number of key metrics, such cost, time and much more. Most project management software makes you build your own dashboard, which takes time away from managing the project. Not our software. ProjectManager has a dashboard that’s ready to go whenever you toggle over to view it.

Team Management

Resource management is another key feature of our software. As we noted, we make it easy to onboard your team, define their skills and chart their availability, including PTO, vacation and global holidays for distributed teams. Once you’ve assigned the team, toggle over to the team page and get an overview of everyone on the team and see what they’re working on. To go deeper, there’s a workload chart where you can reallocate your team’s resources to keep them balanced and secure timesheets to see how far they’ve gone in completing their tasks.

Related Content

• Best Monday.com Alternatives
• Monday.com vs. ProjectManager
• ClickUp vs. Monday: In-Depth Software Comparison

ProjectManager has more powerful Gantt charts than Monday.com. Our Gantt charts do more, do it better and do it seamlessly with our other project management features. If you need a Gantt chart, but also kanban boards, task lists, calendars and more you’ve come to the right software solution. Add to that our robust risk management, task management and resource management features and we give you the control you need to deliver successful projects. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

The post Monday.com Gantt Chart: A How-to Guide With Pros, Cons & Alternatives appeared first on ProjectManager.

We’ll review this popular software and the foundational scheduling tool to see if the Asana Gantt chart has all the features project managers and their teams expect. Any potential customers need to read this to learn how to make a Gantt chart in Asana and whether that effort is worth it.

What Is Asana?

Asana is a well-known work management tool and collaborative platform that is designed to help teams organize work, manage tasks and track project progress. It has task management features and plans projects on multiple tools. There are also workload management tools that track and help balance workload. It also offers basic workflow automation to streamline repetitive tasks.

Reports can be generated to track progress, team productivity and task completion. But what about the all-important Gantt chart, which is used across project management to schedule tasks and break projects into more manageable phases?

Well, Asana’s Gantt chart is often a topic of debate among project management experts and enthusiasts as it’s mostly known as a lightweight, easy-to-use tool, but it’s questioned as it lacks many project planning and scheduling features that are needed to manage projects, which is why many users look for an Asana alternative.

In this blog, we’ll show you how to make a Gantt chart in Asana and we’ll do an in-depth analysis of its features, benefits and limitations.

Does Asana Have a Gantt Chart?

The main reason we’ve put together this piece is to answer the question of whether Asana has a Gantt chart. As the Gantt chart is one of the most quintessential and widely used project management tools, it’s integral that project management software options have this powerhouse of a feature. On the left, it looks like a spreadsheet where teams can enter tasks, duration, resource costs and more. As data is entered on the left, the visual representation of that data appears on the right.

Any project management software that is worth the money will have a Gantt chart with at least some functionality. It likely sits alongside other project views such as a kanban board, task list, calendar and more. When there are more project views, it’s easier for various departments to collaborate and stay organized.

Short Answer: Yes, Asana Has Gantt Charts

Asana’s Gantt chart is a lightweight alternative to more complex Gantt chart software. It’s an easy-to-use tool that allows you to easily create a project schedule, visualize project tasks, track their due dates and collaborate with your team online.

Long Answer: The Asana Gantt Chart Lacks Key Features for Project Management

Asana’s Gantt chart meets the bare minimum requirements for making a project timeline, but it’s not a fully functional Gantt chart. Asana knows this, which is why it even calls the tool a “Timeline View” and doesn’t refer to it as a Gantt chart.

If you need Gantt chart software for project management, you should use ProjectManager instead. ProjectManager‘s Gantt charts offer advanced project management features that Asana Gantt charts don’t, such as tracking all four types of project task dependencies, tracking resource utilization and costs for each task, comparing planned versus actual costs, setting project baselines and much more. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

Asana Gantt Chart Features

Asana’s Gantt chart—known as its Timeline view—lets teams visualize project schedules in a simple, collaborative way. Users can organize tasks with start and due dates, create basic dependencies, and drag bars to reschedule work. While it lacks advanced scheduling controls, it’s a clear and intuitive way to map projects from start to finish within Asana’s workspace.

• Display of tasks and their start and end dates on a horizontal bar-chart timeline.
• Ability to view task dependencies. However this is very limited as it only has one type of task dependency, finish to start.
• Ability for dependent tasks to auto-shift dates when their predecessor changes.
• Ability to mark tasks as milestones.
• Basic critical path analysis features
• Drag-and-drop scheduling functionality that allows users to drag bars on the timeline to adjust start/due dates.
• Use of templates that are supported in Asana’s Timeline view.

What Project Management Features is Asana Gantt Chart Missing?

While Asana Gantt chart tool is useful for basic scheduling, it lacks the depth of traditional project management software. Users can’t manage multi-project portfolios, add complex dependencies, or track resource workloads. Its simplicity suits smaller teams, but those seeking cost tracking, baselines, or comprehensive program management may find Asana’s Gantt chart too limited for advanced project planning needs.

• Lacks the capability to show multiple projects for program and portfolio management
• Asana’s Gantt chart is not able to show tasks and subtasks.
• No customization of Gantt chart columns. Users can’t add columns to show project details such as task costs, resource requirements or work breakdown structure levels.
• Lacks multiple task dependency types beyond the basic predecessor-successor task dependency.
• There are no built-in advanced resource management features such as resource utilization monitoring or workload balancing.
• Advanced critical path method features
• No built-in cost or budget tracking within the timeline view.
• Users can’t establish project baselines for baseline comparison or variance tracking against planned dates.
• Difficult to export or print full Gantt views for stakeholders, can only be exported as a CSV file.

How to Make an Asana Gantt Chart Better With ProjectManager

If you want a real Gantt chart with powerful features that Asana doesn’t have, make a Gantt chart in ProjectManager, or if you prefer you can also export your Asana Gantt chart as a CSV file and then import it into ProjectManager.

To do so, just start a free 30-day trial of ProjectManager so you can easily export your Asana CSV file and import that file into ProjectManager. You’ll retain your Asana data, but now you’ll have the robust project management features you need to better manage your project.

Before we dive into the process let’s quickly go over a side-by-side comparison of ProjectManager’s Gantt chart and Asana’s Gantt chart.

Asana Gantt Chart	ProjectManager Gantt Chart
One type of task dependency (finish-to-start)	Four types of task dependencies (SF, FS, SS, FF)
Basic auto-shift for dependent tasks	Full dependency automation and cascading updates
Milestones supported	Tasks, subtasks and milestones supported for accurate project tracking
No project baselines or variance tracking	Project baselines and variance tracking for schedule and cost
Single-project view only	Gantt chart can be used for multi-project tracking and making portfolio roadmaps
No cost or budget tracking	Allows users to compare estimated vs. actual project costs for cost and budget tracking
No resource utilization tracking	Built-in resource allocation and workload monitoring features in the Gantt chart
No percent-complete column	Percent complete column with real-time dashboard sync
No task priority setting	Task priority field for ranking work
Sections for grouping tasks	Allows to indicate the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) hierarchy for project tasks
No customization of columns	Fully customizable Gantt chart columns
CSV data export only	PDF, Excel, and image export options
Simple drag-and-drop scheduling	Advanced drag-and-drop with real-time updates
Lacks planned vs actual duration tracking	Planned vs actual duration (hours) tracking
Limited to basic templates	Predetermined Gantt chart project templates for multiple industries

1. Export & Import Your Asana Projects

Choose the Asana project that you want to import and simply save it as a CSV or Excel file. It is now ready to import into ProjectManager. Open ProjectManager and then click “New” at the bottom left corner of your screen, select “Project” and then click “Import File” once the pop-up appears.

Or you can also toggle to the Gantt chart view, where you will see an import button. Click the icon and the same popup window will appear.

2. Choose to Add the Data to a New or Existing Project

During this step, you’ll be able to decide if you want to add the data to a new or existing project. If you’re adding it to an existing project, decide whether you want to keep the project’s existing data or delete it altogether.

3. Choose What Data to Import

Next, decide if you want to import all of the data from your Asana file or only the data from the task list. Select what you want to import and click next.

4. Success!

When the success popup appears, the process is complete. Your Asana data has been seamlessly imported into ProjectManager, where you can use our full suite of project management features.

Asana Gantt Chart Pricing

Asana’s Gantt chart is only included in the paid versions of the app. It’s not available on the free version. This will impact smaller teams with less financial resources.

• Personal (Free): Asana Gantt chart is not included in this pricing plan.
• Starter Plan ($10.99/user/month, billed annually): Asana Gantt chart is included in this pricing plan.
• Advanced Plan ($24.99/user/month, billed annually): Asana Gantt chart is included in this pricing plan.
• Enterprise & Enterprise+ (contact sales for a customized quote): Asana Gantt chart is included in this pricing plan.

What Can You Use an Asana Gantt Chart For?

If you’re willing to build a Gantt chart in Asana, it allows you to create a simple project schedule and track the due dates, duration and dependencies of your project tasks. It can also be used for identifying the critical path of your project and tracking project milestones. Additionally, an Asana Gantt chart allows you to:

• Split your project schedule into sections, a feature that allows you to group related tasks
• Mark project milestones in your Gantt chart timeline
• See the critical path activities based on their due dates and duration
• Edit your project schedule by dragging and dropping tasks on the timeline
• Collaborate with your team members by sharing messages and files for each task

Asana Gantt Chart Example

The best way to learn what an Asana Gantt chart is and how it works is to look at an example, so we’ve used one to create a construction schedule. On the left side, there’s a list of project tasks and details such as due dates, duration and assignee. On the right side, there’s a stacked bar chart that uses bars to represent project tasks on a timeline. Each of these bars or project tasks is linked by arrows, showing the dependencies among them.

Now that we have a better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of an Asana Gantt chart, let’s learn how to make one. Creating a Gantt chart in Asana is an easy process that’ll allow you to create a project schedule in minutes.

Cons of Making an Asana Gantt Chart for Project Management

Asana Gantts track very little information about your project and the software offers the bare minimum project planning, scheduling or tracking features expected from a Gantt chart software. Here are some of the most important features they’re missing.

• No cost tracking functionality which is essential for monitoring project budgets
• Missing resource allocation, scheduling or monitoring features
• Only has one type of task dependency, which makes it hard to build realistic project timelines, as most projects typically involve more types of task dependencies.
• Asana Gantt charts don’t display the percent of completion of your tasks, which affects their ability to track project progress

For these and other reasons, Asana Gantt charts can help you create a project schedule, but they’re not ideal for managing projects as they lack many project management features.

ProjectManager Has Better Gantt Charts Than Asana Gantt Charts

That’s a lot of hurdles to clear. When managing a project you don’t want your hands tied with inferior tools. The features missing from an Asana Gantt chart are going to leave project managers scrambling to deliver their projects on time and within the budget.

Asana Gantt charts are only good for visualizing project schedules and assigning tasks to your team members, but they lack scope, resource and cost management features which makes them deficient tools for managing all areas of a project. ProjectManager’s Gantt chart, on the other hand, has all the features you need to track all the aspects of your project. Here are some examples of the project tracking features that make ProjectManager Gantt charts better than Asana Gantt charts.

• Task Priority: Set a priority level for your project tasks so you and your team members know where to prioritize your efforts.
• Resource Utilization: Assign tasks to team members, track their work hours and monitor their workload. This information from ProjectManager’s Gantt chart syncs automatically with ProjectManager’s timesheets, which you can then use for the payroll process.
• Planned & Actual Duration (Hours): Estimate the duration of every task and then track the actual number of hours that a task took to be completed.
• Planned & Actual Cost: Estimate the costs of each project task and then log the actual costs once the task has been executed. This is very important to monitor and control your spending to make sure you don’t exceed the project budget.
• Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): The WBS column allows you to understand which of your project tasks are related and the order in which they should be completed. This is similar to the “sections” feature in the Asana Gantt chart.
• Percent Complete: Your team members can update the progress they’ve made on tasks by setting a percentage of completion. The best part is that ProjectManager’s Gantt chart syncs with its real-time dashboard which allows you to track the overall progress of your project.

ProjectManager Is More Than Gantt Charts

Now that we’ve learned what an Asana Gantt chart is and how it compares to ProjectManager’s Gantt chart, let’s look at some other benefits of using ProjectManager as a project management software beyond Gantt charts.

Multiple Project Management Tools

Gantt charts are ideal for project managers when scheduling work, but teams need different tools. That’s why ProjectManager offers a complete set of project management tools that include kanban boards, task lists, project calendars and much more. For example, kanban boards are great for visualizing workflow and allow teams to manage their backlog while collaborating on sprints. There is also a list view that prioritizes tasks, shows progress and is a great place to collaborate. These tools adapt to multiple project management methodologies and work styles so you and your team members can plan, schedule and track projects however you like.

Track Progress and Costs With Real-Time Dashboards

Once the baseline is set on the Gantt chart, the entire team can use the software to track performance in real-time. All of ProjectManager’s project planning tools like Gantt charts and kanban boards sync with real-time dashboards that track your project progress, costs, resource utilization, budgets and timelines. Managers can get a high-level view of the project as the dashboard collects live data on tasks, progress, overall health, time, workload and cost. Additionally, ProjectManager has timesheets that track labor costs to keep projects on budget.

Monitor Resource Utilization and Balance Workload

ProjectManager has workload charts that show how your team’s workload is being distributed among your team members so you can identify who’s over or underallocated and reassign project tasks accordingly. Use these charts to track things such as PTO, vacation and global holidays. There’s also a team page that provides a daily or weekly look at everyone on the team. It can be filtered to show priority, progress and more to stay on top of human resources.

How to Make a Gantt Chart in Asana

Most projects need these features. If yours does, then it’s time to consider ProjectManager. But If you still want to see how to make an Asana Gantt chart, we’ll go through the process from beginning to end. All you’ll need to get started is an Asana license or simply a free trial.

1. Create a New Project & Select the Asana Gantt Chart View

The first step is to create a new project by clicking the “Create” button at the top left corner of your screen.

Then you can choose to import a file or start creating your Asana Gantt chart from scratch. For this Asana Gantt chart example, we’ll start a project from scratch.

Next, choose a project name and select your starting project management view. As you can see, Gantt charts are not an option by default but don’t worry, pick any view and you’ll be able to switch to the Gantt chart view once you click “Create project.”

For this Asana Gantt chart example, we’ll name this project “Construction Schedule” because we’ll use this Gantt chart to represent one.

Once you create a new project, you’ll land in Asana’s task list view. To switch to the Gantt chart view, click the plus icon and select Gantt as shown in the image below.

2. Add Sections and Project Tasks

Now it’s time to add your project tasks, their due dates and durations to the Asana Gantt chart. You can also use its “Sections” setting, which allows you to group related tasks and create project phases on your Gantt chart timeline, but it’s not required.

We’ve filled out the Asana Gantt chart with project tasks, due dates and duration based on a construction schedule. As you can see on the left side of the image below, there are six different sections in this Asana Gantt chart to reflect various stages of the construction project (contracts, procurement, design, construction, post-construction and closing).

3. Link Task Dependencies

Project tasks need to be executed in a specific order, which is defined by the dependencies among them. For example, some tasks can’t start until the previous task has been completed. This is the type of task dependency that applies to all the tasks in our construction schedule.

To link a dependency between tasks using an Asana Gantt chart, you’ll need to hover over a task, left-click the dependency icon and then hold your left mouse button and drag it to the next task.

Repeat this process until all your project tasks dependencies have been linked as shown in the Asana Gantt chart below. This is important for the next step, which is identifying the critical path of your project.

4. Highlight Your Project’s Critical Path

The critical path of a project refers to the tasks that must be completed on time, or their delay will affect the total duration of your project, unlike other project tasks which can be completed past their planned due date without affecting the project schedule, which have a lower priority level. To find the critical path, you’ll need to consider the start and end dates of your project tasks, their duration and their dependencies. But luckily, Asana’s Gantt chart automates this process.

To identify the critical tasks of your project, click Gantt options on the right side of your screen and then turn on the “Highlight critical path” option. This will automatically highlight the critical path of your project as the image below shows.

5. Add Project Milestones to the Asana Gantt Chart

Project milestones are important achievements that are often used to summarize the progress of a project schedule. For this example, we’ll mark the final completion task as a project milestone. To do so, simply right-click a task and select “Mark as milestone.”

This will turn the taskbar into a diamond symbol in your Asana Gantt chart. Congratulations! You have successfully created an Asana Gantt chart and have used its project management features.

It might be straightforward to put together an Asana Gantt chart, however, it’s missing countless features that you can find in many Asana alternatives with more robust Gantt chart tools. So if you’re looking for a Gantt chart that has more advanced project management features, you should try a fully featured Gantt chart like ProjectManager instead.

Related Asana Gantt Chart Content

Choosing the right project management software for your team can be a challenging task. That’s why we’ve created content that helps you better understand what you should look for. Here are some blogs that compare Asana to other alternatives.

• 14 Best Gantt Chart Software of 2024 (Free & Paid)
• Asana vs. Trello: Side-by-Side Comparison
• Asana vs. Microsoft Project: In-Depth Comparison
• Asana vs. Monday: In-Depth Software Comparison
• Asana vs. ClickUp: In-Depth Software Comparison
• Asana vs ProjectManager: Which Software is Better?

ProjectManager is online project and portfolio management software that connects teams in the office, out in the field and everywhere else. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay updated with email and in-app notifications. Join teams at Avis, Nestle and Siemens who use our software to deliver successful projects. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

The post Asana Gantt Chart: A How-to Guide With Pros, Cons & Alternatives appeared first on ProjectManager.

Trello is an online project management tool that creates kanban boards, which allow project managers to assign tasks and organize projects. The kanban boards offer a visualization of your work and allow you to easily see a project’s workload at-a-glance. The software has grown in popularity as users have taken to the kanban board’s ability to visualize the workflow of a project.

But does that mean Trello has the ability to handle complex projects? Well, not quite—leading some people to seek Trello Gantt charts or Trello alternatives.

Does Trello Have a Gantt Chart?

No, Trello doesn’t have Gantt charts, as it relies on kanban boards (called “Trello Boards”) as its main project management tool. While kanban boards are a powerful agile project management tool, they’re ultimately only surface-level in their capacity to execute complicated projects. Unfortunately, Trello doesn’t offer other features that further your management of a project other than their Trello boards. The more complex the project, the less helpful kanban boards prove for task management or team collaboration.

Trello gets around these limitations by allowing users to add features known as power-ups (like time tracking or team collaboration) through many third-party project management app extensions, such as Jira or Slack. The downside is, that by the time you’re done adding on to Trello, it can become a Frankenstein’s monster of a project management tool.

Short Answer: No, Trello Doesn’t Have Gantt Charts

One of the biggest holes in Trello’s project management software suite is that there’s no Gantt chart functionality. Gantt charts are robust visual tools that allow project managers to plan and schedule their projects across a timeline. They’re great for projects of any complexity, but become a necessity for highly complex projects. It’s unlikely you’ll find any seasoned project manager working without one.

Related: Best Gantt Chart Software: Paid & Free Options Ranked

To be fair, Trello does offer a “Timeline view”, which is similar to a Gantt chart, but it isn’t called a Gantt chart for a reason: it’s missing fundamental Gantt chart features. Trello knows this, so it offers integrations with third-party Gantt chart tools such as Elegantt and TeamGantt, which compensate for the lack of a Trello’s Gantt chart. However, the options can be unwieldy at best and not at all worth the trouble at worst. Many of those add-ons are just not the same as using a fully-featured Gantt chart software like ProjectManager. With the Gantt being such a crucial tool for managers, this can prove problematic.

Why Trello’s Timeline View Can’t Be Called a Trello Gantt Chart?

While Trello’s Timeline view adds a helpful time-based perspective to its Kanban boards, it still lacks several key features that define a true Gantt chart. Below are the main Gantt chart capabilities missing from Trello’s Timeline view:

• No built-in task dependencies or linking: Trello doesn’t allow you to connect tasks so that one must start or finish before another begins.
• Limited to one board at a time: The Timeline view only displays cards from a single board and can’t combine multiple boards into one schedule.
• No constraint scheduling or critical path calculation: Tasks can be moved freely on the timeline, but Trello doesn’t calculate the critical path or enforce scheduling rules.
• No resource leveling or workload management: Although you can group tasks by team member, Trello doesn’t automatically detect or balance over-allocated resources.
• Limited task data display: You can’t customize what information appears on the bars, such as custom fields or additional metadata.
• No automatic schedule updates: Moving one task doesn’t shift related tasks, since dependencies aren’t supported.
• Restricted availability: The Timeline view is available only to Premium and Enterprise users, so Free and Standard plan users can’t access it.
• No rule-based scheduling or slack tracking: Trello doesn’t enforce start or finish constraints, nor does it calculate task float or slack time.

If you’re using Trello, your team’s simple task management and team collaboration is covered. But what about the project plan and schedule? You’re not going to map that out on kanban boards unless it’s a very simple project. You need to know how to make a Gantt chart in Trello.

How to Make a Trello Gantt Chart with ProjectManager

ProjectManager is award-winning cloud-based project management tool that not only allows you to make a Trello Gantt chart but organizes every part of your project. It has multiple project views, including an interactive online Gantt chart that gives you more control over your project schedule. The best part? It has a native integration with Trello that allows you to sync your ProjectManager Gantt chart with your Trello Workspace.

To convert your kanban board into a Trello Gantt chart, start by signing up for a 30-day trial of our software. Once you’ve done that, follow these simple steps to turn your Trello board into a Gantt chart and get started on taking your project management to the next level.

Export & Import

Select export on your Trello board (click the link for instructions) then import that file from your Trello app to our software as a CSV or Excel file. Go to the Gantt chart on our tool and click the import icon.

Choose the File

Answer the popup window. It will ask you to import a project. Select the Trello board Excel or CSV file you want to open to populate the Gantt chart.

Select Options

Once uploaded, you can choose to have the data from your Trello board fill out a new project, or added to an existing project. If you’re building onto a project already on the tool, just choose which one, and whether to keep or delete the existing data.

Import What Data?

Choose from the final popup window whether to import all the Trello board data from the file or just a task list.

Start Your Gantt!

See the success window? You’re done. Now you have all your data from your Trello project, and are ready to work on building your online Gantt chart.

How to Use Your Trello Gantt Chart

Now that you’ve got your Trello board in our project management tool, the real fun begins. Our Gantt chart software lets you control your project plan and manage your schedule in ways that are not possible with Trello, TeamGantt or Elegantt. We offer one of the best project management software, equipped with a complete set of time tracking, task management, team collaboration and project planning features.

On the left side of the Gantt chart view is a spreadsheet of your tasks, which can be broken down into summary tasks. Once you’ve added a start and end date to each task, they automatically populate the bar chart timeline on the right side of the Gantt. Now you can see the entire project laid out on a map, right down to the task level to track progress, assign tasks, and collaborate with your team members.

Set Milestones for Your Progress

Use the milestone feature to break up large project plans into smaller, more manageable phases. The diamond icon (♢) indicates that one phase of the project has ended and another is beginning. It’s a way to track progress and also boosts morale for teams when they achieve a milestone. You can also customize the color of each phase to make it easier to differentiate.

Filter By Priority, Dependency and Tags

As you organize your tasks on the Gantt chart, you can set priority and customize tags to make it easy to find them without having to manually scroll through the Trello board. Also, not all tasks are the same. There are dependent tasks, for example, that cannot start or finish until another task has begun or has been completed. If you don’t identify task dependencies, you risk bottlenecks later in the project that can slow you down, or even derail the entire project.

Linking task dependencies is easy on our Gantt chart tool. Just drag one task to the other and a dotted line will connect them on the bar chart to make sure you don’t forget about the dependent nature of the task. This is something you can’t do on Trello, even with all their Trello power-ups.

Our User-Friendly Gantt Chart is All Yours

Gantt charts have a bit of a shaky reputation. They can be difficult to build, and a nightmare to edit. But our online Gantt chart is built from the ground up to be the most user-friendly option on the market. Editing your Gantt chart is made to be as simple as possible. We know that projects change all the time, and dates need to be shuffled in real time. Rather than start from scratch, just drag and drop your task to the new date. When the tasks are updated, all associated tasks update automatically.

Project managers love our Gantt chart maker because they can plan, schedule and assign tasks all from the same tool. When making those assignments, they can attach documents, images and even comments to direct teams and help them to collaborate and work better together.

Get Notified on Progress

Whenever a task is updated or commented on, anyone who is assigned to the task will get an email notification instantly alerting them of the change. If you don’t want to shift from our tool to your email or worry that the notification will get lost in the mail, don’t worry. There are in-app notifications that capture every update, which are visible with just a click.

How to Make Gantt Chart in Trello

If you don’t want to use ProjectManager to make your Trello Gantt chart, there are other options. As we mentioned before Trello relies heavily on third-party project management apps that offer different features to complement their tool. Here are the top Trello apps to make Gantt charts.

Trello Gantt Chart Power-Ups

Since Trello doesn’t natively include a complete Gantt chart, many users rely on Power-Ups and extensions to visualize timelines, dependencies and workloads. Here are the most popular options available in 2025:

• TeamGantt Power-Up: This integration syncs Trello cards to a full Gantt timeline in TeamGantt, letting you create task dependencies, track progress and manage workloads. It’s one of the most complete Gantt chart experiences available for Trello users.
• Gantt Chart (by Placker) Power-Up: Placker adds a dynamic Gantt chart view directly to your Trello boards, with support for dependencies, milestones and multi-board management. It’s designed for teams that want detailed scheduling and reporting without leaving Trello.
• Mermaid Gantt Power-Up: Mermaid Gantt automatically generates a Gantt chart from your Trello cards using each card’s start and due dates. It’s a simple, visual way to track timelines without setup complexity—good for users who want a quick, no-frills timeline view.
• GoodGantt Power-Up: GoodGantt adds a clean, drag-and-drop Gantt chart to your Trello board so you can organize tasks by start and end dates, set milestones and visualize progress at a glance. It’s lightweight, fast and ideal for small project teams.
• Gantt-Style Project Roadmap by Planyway: Planyway offers an interactive roadmap view that syncs with your Trello boards in real time. You can drag and drop tasks on the timeline, manage dependencies, track workloads and align team priorities—all within Trello.

While these Gantt chart tools are a good way of turning your Trello board into a Gantt chart, they’re one of the many Trello power-ups that you’ll need to manage your projects. Also as a Trello user, you’ll need to pay for all those power-ups, and you’ll end up with a Trello board that depends on many other third-party apps.

Other Features You Get in Addition to Your Gantt Chart with ProjectManager

After reviewing the above options, you’ll see that none of those power-ups offer the depth and sophistication that ProjectManager does. An interactive Gantt chart takes you to places the Trello collaboration tool has only dreamed of, but that’s just one of the myriad features of our cloud-based project management tool. The suite of features works seamlessly together to help you better execute and track progress.

Kanban Boards

Not everyone works the same way, which is why our project management software has multiple project views. There are dynamic task lists and a calendar view, but the kanban board is the collaboration tool that teams gravitate towards. Teams can manage their tasks backlog and work on what’s a priority, while project managers get transparency into the process. The best thing? All the data on your kanban board transfers to the Gantt chart, and vice versa. Switch between views knowing your project moves forward either way.

Real-Time Dashboard

A Gantt chart will get you started, but can only track so much. For example, our interactive Gantt chart will show progress by how shaded the duration bar is between the start and end date of a task. Our project dashboard, on the other hand, automatically collects data from the project in real time and calculates it for you. The results are displayed over several project metrics, like an instant status report, charting time, cost, project variance and more.

Team Management

You’ve made your project schedule and can track its performance in real time, now you’ll want to maximize your team’s productivity. That’s where our team management feature comes in. The team management page gives you visibility into your team’s workload. See who is working on what and where your team members are in terms of completing their tasks. We’ve even streamlined timesheets to simplify payroll and provide transparency into the hours your team logs.

What You’re Missing Out on Without a True Gantt Chart

Trello app is a limited collaboration tool, and even with all its power-ups, it can’t match the robust features of our Gantt chart. While its Trello boards are a strong kanban feature, it lacks multiple project views. Users are restricted and must work how Trello wants, not how they want. Our multiple project views help everyone on your team reach their potential.

The Trello Gantt chart add-ons are not a real solution for a project manager. Their Gantt chart can’t link task dependencies, for one, and that’s a big one. Without having the means to identify which tasks are dependent on others, you’re asking for trouble during the execution phase. Gantts charts are foundational tools for project management, but without one that can go the whole nine yards, you’re going to fall behind.

Trello also doesn’t scale like our tool. It’s best for small teams working on small projects that are of little complexity, and with no task dependencies. But our tool can handle projects big and small and works with teams of any size. No matter how many tasks you’re trying to organize, our Gantt chart is up to the task. We also have greater security and protocols for who can view and edit what is on the software.

Can I Use Trello and ProjectManager?

The short answer is yes. Trello is a capable, if limited, visual collaboration tool. Keep using it if you like it, and supplement your beefier project management needs with our software. We fill in the holes in Trello’s coverage of your project, giving you more control over planning, scheduling, tracking and reporting.

Related Content

• Best Trello Alternatives: Free & Paid Options Ranked
• Trello Dashboard: Key Features, Pros and Cons
• Trello vs. Asana: Side-by-Side Comparison
• ProjectManager & Trello Integration
• Trello Kanban Board: Key Features, Pros, Cons & Alternatives
• Trello vs. Jira: In-Depth Software Comparison
• Gantt chart de Trello: ¿Cómo hacer un Gantt Chart con Trello?

ProjectManager is an award-winning project management tool that helps teams and projects get organized. Tens of thousands of teams already have found success using our software for projects of all shapes and sizes. We’re being used by organizations as varied as NASA, the Bank of America and Barnes & Nobel. See how we can help you do more with or without Trello. Try our Gantt chart software free for 30-days with this trial offer.

The post Trello Gantt Charts: How to Make a Gantt Chart in Trello appeared first on ProjectManager.

Using the Microsoft Planner timeline view can transform how teams approach planning and execution. It gives stakeholders a clearer picture of project progress and upcoming milestones, making it easier to communicate updates and manage expectations. While Microsoft Planner timeline features improve visibility, they’re not as advanced as some dedicated project management tools, which means teams may find limitations when handling complex or resource-heavy projects.

What Is the Microsoft Planner Timeline View?

The Microsoft Planner timeline view is a scheduling feature that displays tasks across a horizontal timeline, giving teams a visual way to track deadlines and project flow. It shifts the perspective from lists and boards to a time-based layout, allowing users to see when tasks start, how long they last and when they are due. This helps managers and team members align their work with overall project goals and spot potential overlaps or conflicts.

By using the Microsoft Planner timeline view, teams can quickly identify critical tasks and adjust schedules to keep projects moving smoothly. It’s especially useful for projects with multiple dependencies or overlapping assignments, as it creates a clear visual representation of how tasks connect. While it simplifies scheduling for many teams, it does not provide the same advanced scheduling and dependency tracking found in more robust project management software.

Is Microsoft Planner Timeline a Gantt Chart?

No, the Microsoft Planner timeline is not a Gantt chart. While the Microsoft Planner timeline view displays tasks in a horizontal layout that looks somewhat similar to a Gantt chart, it lacks core Gantt chart features such as task dependencies, baselines and critical path analysis. A true Gantt chart lets you link tasks to show relationships, adjust schedules dynamically and track how delays affect the entire project. Microsoft Planner timeline provides a high-level view of tasks over time but doesn’t deliver the depth of scheduling and tracking that a Gantt chart offers.

Some project management software solutions provide actual Gantt charts that include dependencies, drag-and-drop scheduling and built-in progress tracking. These tools allow project managers to see not just when tasks are scheduled, but how each task connects to the rest of the project. This level of detail is essential for complex initiatives where shifting one deadline impacts multiple teams and deliverables.

ProjectManager’s Gantt chart is one of the most powerful available because it combines scheduling, resource management and AI-powered reporting for immediate analysis and recommendations in a single tool. Teams can link tasks, assign resources and adjust deadlines with simple drag-and-drop functionality. Unlike Microsoft Planner timeline, our Gantt chart supports baselines to measure actual progress against original plans, critical path calculations to identify the most important tasks, link task dependencies and has workload tracking to balance resources effectively. Real-time dashboards, automated alerts and seamless integration with other project views make our Gantt chart a complete solution for managing projects of any size or complexity. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

Key Features of the Microsoft Project Timeline View

The Microsoft Project timeline view offers more advanced scheduling capabilities than Microsoft Planner timeline, giving project managers tools to plan, track and manage projects with greater detail. It’s designed to visualize tasks, highlight dependencies and map out critical paths, making it easier to control project schedules and identify risks early. Below are the key features that set the Microsoft Project timeline view apart.

• Gantt-Style Visualization of Tasks: The timeline view in Microsoft Project uses a Gantt-style format that places tasks on a horizontal chart. Each task is represented by a bar that shows its start and end date, making it simple to see how work is distributed across the project. This visual approach helps managers and team members understand project progress at a glance and identify upcoming deadlines quickly.
• Task Dependencies: Microsoft Project allows you to create task dependencies, linking activities to show how one task impacts another. This feature helps teams understand the sequence of work and identify which tasks must be completed before others can start. By building these connections, managers can spot bottlenecks, prevent scheduling conflicts and adjust timelines to keep projects moving smoothly.
• Critical Path Analysis: Critical path analysis in Microsoft Project highlights the most important tasks that directly impact the project’s finish date. If any of these tasks are delayed, the entire project will be delayed. This feature gives managers visibility into which activities need the most attention and allows them to focus resources strategically, reducing the risk of schedule overruns.
• Interactive Drag, Resize, and Linking of Tasks: The Microsoft Project timeline view offers interactive controls, allowing users to drag tasks along the chart, resize them to extend or shorten their duration and link them to create dependencies. This intuitive approach makes scheduling flexible and efficient, as project managers can adjust plans in real time without manually updating multiple fields. It helps teams stay agile while maintaining accurate project schedules.

Get your free

Gantt Chart Template

Use this free Gantt Chart Template to manage your projects better.

Get the Template

Pros of Using the Microsoft Planner Timeline View for Project Management

The Microsoft Planner Timeline view offers a clear, visual way to manage projects, helping teams see tasks, deadlines and dependencies at a glance. It simplifies coordination, improves accountability and supports team collaboration across projects.

• Visual task tracking: Easily see tasks on a timeline, which helps identify progress and overlaps.
• Simple interface: Intuitive drag-and-drop features make scheduling tasks straightforward.
• Integration with Microsoft 365: Works seamlessly with Teams, Outlook and SharePoint for streamlined communication.
• Task categorization: Color-coded buckets and labels allow quick organization by priority or project phase.
• Collaboration support: Team members can update task status in real time, keeping everyone aligned.
• Deadline visibility: Start and due dates are clearly displayed, reducing missed deadlines.
• Notifications and reminders: Built-in alerts keep team members on track without manual follow-ups.
• Resource management overview: Quickly see which team members are overloaded or underutilized.

Cons of Using the Microsoft Planner Timeline View for Project Management

While Microsoft Planner Timeline view provides a helpful visual perspective, it has limitations for complex projects or teams needing advanced project management features.

• Limited dependency management: Cannot define complex task dependencies like some dedicated project software.
• No built-in critical path: Lacks automatic critical path calculations, making scheduling optimization harder.
• Scalability issues: Large projects with many tasks can become cluttered and hard to read.
• Basic reporting: Minimal reporting tools compared to full project management solutions.
• No resource leveling: Cannot automatically balance workload among team members.
• Limited customization: Views and formatting options are basic and may not meet all project needs.
• Offline limitations: Requires an internet connection to view or update the timeline.
• Not suitable for complex portfolios: Difficult to track multiple interconnected projects across teams.

Related: How to Use Microsoft Planner: A Quick Guide

ProjectManager’s Gantt Chart Is Better Than the Microsoft Project Timeline

While the Microsoft Planner Timeline view offers a simple, visual way to manage tasks, ProjectManager’s Gantt chart provides a more robust solution for teams managing complex projects. Its dynamic interface, advanced tracking and resource management tools make it easier to plan, execute and monitor projects from start to finish. Plus, planning on our Gantt chart is shared across multiple project views, such as boards, lists, calendars and sheets, which allows team members to execute their tasks how they want. Add reporting super-powered with instant AI summaries and suggestions and the choice is clear.

Use Advanced Resource Management to Stay Productive

ProjectManager’s Gantt chart allows managers to allocate resources efficiently, track team workloads and avoid bottlenecks. Unlike the Microsoft Planner Timeline view, it supports resource leveling, making it simple to balance tasks across multiple team members and ensure no one is overloaded. There are color-coded workload charts to balance resources and a team page to get a real-time view of what everyone is working on, their progress and more.

Get Tracking, Reporting and Timesheets to Monitor Progress and More

With ProjectManager, project tracking goes beyond visual timelines. Users can generate real-time dashboards and create customizable reports to monitor task progress, resources and cost. Manage secure timesheets directly within the platform, which also tracks labor costs. This level of insight helps teams stay on schedule, meet deadlines and maintain accurate records of labor costs, something the Microsoft Planner Timeline view cannot do natively.

Microsoft Planner Timeline FAQs

Can You Open MPP Files Using the Microsoft Planner Timeline Feature?

No, the Microsoft Planner Timeline view does not support opening Microsoft Project (MPP) files. Planner is designed for simple task management and visualization within Microsoft 365, so complex project files from Microsoft Project need to be imported or recreated manually.

Is Microsoft Planner Free?

Microsoft Planner is included with most Microsoft 365 business and enterprise subscriptions. It is not available as a standalone free app, but users with eligible Microsoft 365 plans can access the Planner Timeline view at no additional cost.

What Is the Difference Between Microsoft Planner Basic and Microsoft Planner Premium?

Microsoft Planner does not have an official “Premium” version. The main differences come from the Microsoft 365 plan you are subscribed to. Higher-tier plans may offer more advanced integrations, increased storage and access to additional Microsoft 365 apps that complement Planner, but the core Planner Timeline features remain the same across all plans.

Related Microsoft Planner Content

Okay, so now you know about the shortcomings of Microsoft Planner timelines, but if you’re still on the fence about the software, check out these links below. They go into detail about what the tool can be used for, its features and pricing, plus a lot more.

• What Is Microsoft Planner? Uses, Features & Pricing
• Microsoft Planner Gantt Chart: How to Make a Gantt Chart in Microsoft Planner
• 10 Best Microsoft Planner Alternatives of 2025 (Free & Paid)
• Microsoft Planner vs. Project: In-Depth Software Comparison

ProjectManager is online project and portfolio management software that connects teams, whether they’re in the office or out in the field. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay updated with email and in-app notifications. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

The post Microsoft Planner Timeline: Key Features, Pros & Cons appeared first on ProjectManager.

However, some never get the chance to use Gantt charts for Microsoft Project because of the steep price and learning curve. Let’s look at Microsoft Project’s Gantt chart and see what is worthwhile and what is lacking in the essential project management tool. We’ll highlight key features, show you how to build a Microsoft Project Gantt chart and identify some of the pitfalls of the Gantt chart for Microsoft Project.

What Is Microsoft Project?

Microsoft Project project management software is designed to assist project managers in planning, organizing and managing various aspects of a project, including tasks, resources, timelines and budgets. It can create, assign and track tasks, and manage deadlines. It also has resource management features to assign teams, equipment, etc., to tasks, track resource allocation and manage workload.

Related: 7 Microsoft Project Templates (Free MPP Files)

This software has many features, which adds to its complexity and can have a steep learning curve, especially for those who aren’t familiar with project management software. It’s also notoriously expensive as more licenses are required by team members. Still, this product is popular with those management traditional projects, unless they’re using Apple products, which aren’t compatible with MS Project.

Microsoft Project used to be available as a web-based subscription software through the Microsoft Project Online and Microsoft Project for the Web editions, however those are not available anymore and Microsoft Project is now a desktop-based software only available as Microsoft Project Standard 2024 or Microsoft Project Professional 2024. On top of not being available as an online software anymore, the pricing plans for these are very expensive compared to most project management software alternatives.

Microsoft Project Pricing

• Project Standard 2024: $679.99, one-time license purchase
• Project Professional 2024: $1,129.99, one-time license purchase

Does Microsoft Project Have a Gantt Chart?

Microsoft Project is a powerful project management tool. Having a Gantt chart is a fundamental part of waterfall methodology. It’s an essential scheduling tool that organizes tasks and breaks the project down into manageable phases. It then shows the entire project on a timeline.

While Gantt charts are associated with projects that move from one phase to the next, they can also be useful in other contexts. For example, when projects involve cross-functional teams some of these teams might work in a more agile environment. Managers might schedule work on Gantt charts, but they need to share those assignments with teams that work in different methodologies.

Related: Best Gantt Chart Software Rankings

Regardless of the methodology in which a project is managed, Gantt charts are powerful tools. Most can link task dependencies, which avoids delays and cost overruns. Some can do critical path analysis, which is a very helpful scheduling technique. Others set a baseline to track actual progress against planned progress. Well, does Microsoft Project have a Gantt chart?

Short Answer: Yes, Microsoft Project Has Gantt Charts

Yes, Microsoft Project has a Gantt chart. It creates and tracks tasks, sets up dependencies and visualizes resource assignment to tasks. This Gantt chart can help schedule large and small projects for small and large teams.

Long Answer: Microsoft Project’s Gantt Charts Lack Key Features for Project Management

The first problem users will encounter with Microsoft Project’s Gantt chart is its complexity. This is especially true for beginners or new users, who will have to train or clear a steep learning curve to set one up. Once users get a handle on the tool, they’ll find a limitation harder to get used to: its lack of collaboration. It’s not as collaborative as cloud-based software and can’t be used by anyone on the team who works on Apple products.

Even those who can get used to those shortcomings will probably balk at the price. It’s a premium product with higher costs compared to other project management tools. This will put it out of reach for small organizations with limited financial resources. Even larger companies might not be able to deal with the extra expense, especially as they buy more and more licenses.

ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software that has Gantt charts that link all four types of task dependencies to avoid costly delays. They can filter for the critical path and set a baseline to track project variance in real time. Our Gantt charts update automatically and can be shared easily with your project team, even Apple users. Microsoft Project is not known for its collaboration or ease of use. Our software is easier to use, fosters collaboration, including a mobile app, and is not as expensive as Microsoft Project. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

How to Make a Microsoft Project Gantt Chart Better With ProjectManager

Microsoft Project is hard to use, doesn’t foster team collaboration and can’t track costs or resources. That’s a big problem, especially if you want to deliver your project within its budget. Microsoft has a lot of problems that might not be worth the price of admission. If you’re looking for the best Microsoft Project alternative, use ProjectManager for a better project management software experience.

You can easily import Gantt charts from Microsoft Project to ProjectManager and vice versa. Simply save your Microsoft Project Gantt chart as an MPP file and you’ll be able to open and edit it in ProjectManager and use all its advanced project management features such as workload and resource allocation charts, timesheets, kanban boards, project calendars and much more. To do so, simply start a free trial of ProjectManager.

ProjectManager is online project management software with the same and even more features than the desktop and online versions of Microsoft Project. ProjectManager’s Gantt charts are ideal for planning, scheduling and tracking your projects. They’ll allow you to use the same features as a Microsoft Project Gantt chart at a fraction of the cost.

1. Use the Import Button on the Gantt Chart

Start your MPP file import with one click. Go to the Gantt chart view in the top menu of your Gantt chart.

2. Select Which MPP File You Want to Import

Follow the prompt on the popup window and select the Microsoft Project file you want to import. After you’ve imported your MPP file, you can view and edit the project plan file on your Mac.

3. Choose Your MPP File Import Options

Pick from the options shown on the new popup menu, such as importing the MPP file to a new or existing project.

4. Import All Data or Just the Task List

Select from the next popup menu whether to import all the data on the MPP file or just the tasks.

5. Close the Success Prompt

If you see a new window that says “Success,” that means you’ve successfully imported the MPP file.

6. Your Microsoft Project Gantt Chart Is Ready to Edit in ProjectManager

See the MPP file as it now appears in ProjectManager. You can view it in the Microsoft Project Gantt chart, as seen below, where task dependencies can be linked, milestones set, etc., or use one of the other multiple views such as kanban boards, project calendars and real-time dashboards.

Key Features and Pros of Microsoft Project Gantt Charts

Microsoft Project is still valuable as a project management tool. It integrates with other MS products, such as Office 365, SharePoint and Skype. Let’s take a moment to look at the pros of the software and some of the key features of the Gantt chart for Microsoft Project.

• Task Dependency Mapping: Links tasks that are dependent on one another, meaning they can’t start or finish without the other having started or finished.
• Critical Path Analysis: Identifies the tasks that must be completed to deliver the project.
• Project Milestone Tracking: Project tracking tool that helps track key steps, achievements or deliverables in a project schedule.
• Track Task Percentage of Completion: Tracks the progress the team is making in executing their tasks.
• Baseline Setting: Allows users to establish a project baseline and compare planned vs. actual progress over time.
• Detailed Customization: Offers control over calendars, working hours and formatting of Gantt bars to reflect complex project requirements.
• Integration With Microsoft Ecosystem: Connects with Excel, Teams and other Microsoft 365 tools to streamline reporting and communication.

Cons of Making a Gantt Chart in Microsoft Project

Making a Gantt chart in Microsoft Project isn’t without its disadvantages. While the Gantt chart feature itself is robust, the project management software in which it resides has problems. Here are some of the issues you’ll find working in a Microsoft Project Gantt chart environment.

You’ve probably heard of the steep price for MS Project and those costs only increase as you pay for more licenses. If you’re working with a larger team, Microsoft Gantt charts are just going to be too expensive for them to be viable project management tools. That’s just one disadvantage. There are more.

• Steep Learning Curve: MS Project is complicated. Even seasoned pros have difficulty getting a handle on it without hours of training and trial and error.
• Difficult User Interface: Microsoft Project is hard to navigate. There’s poor visualization, which makes the project management tool that much harder to use, especially compared to Gantt chart software with a more modern user interface.
• MPP Files are Hard to Share: If you use Mac products, you’re out of luck, as Microsoft Project is not available for Mac. MPP files are hard to share even for Windows PC users, because there’s no real-time collaboration in Project Standard or Professional. Teams must pass files back and forth or store them in OneDrive/SharePoint.
• Complex Cost and Resource Management Features: Microsoft Project’s Gantt chart can track costs and resources, but the setup is complex and not intuitive. Smaller teams may find this feature harder to use compared to modern alternatives.
• No Mobile App: There is no companion mobile application, which limits accessibility for teams that need to manage schedules on the go.
• High Upfront Licensing Cost: The perpetual licenses for Project Standard and Professional 2024 require significant investment, especially for larger teams.
• Limited Collaboration Options: Without Project Online or Project for the Web, there’s no built-in real-time co-authoring, leaving teams isolated to desktop use.

For these and other reasons, many Microsoft Project alternatives have been developed over the years. These are project management software equipped with the same features as Microsoft Project, such as Gantt charts, resource management tools, project calendars and more.

How to Make a Gantt Chart in Microsoft Project

Now that we understand the importance of a Gantt chart tool in project management, the next step is to learn how to make one in Microsoft Project. You’d start with a task list for your project and then create a new project file in Microsoft Project. Then follow these three steps to create a Microsoft Project Gantt chart.

1. Add Project Tasks, Durations and Due Dates

On the left side of the Gantt chart is a spreadsheet. Here, you’ll want to add all your project tasks on one line at a time. In the next column, you’ll add the start date. In the column after that, add the end date. This will create the duration for each task and it will populate the project timeline as a bar from the start date to the end date.

2. Link Task Dependencies

Task dependencies need to be linked or else they can be overlooked, which is going to negatively impact your project schedule. You can link dependent tasks on the Gantt chart by holding down the Ctrl key and selecting the two tasks you want to link.

3. Mark Milestones in the Project Timeline

You can add milestones to your MS Project Gantt chart by clicking view, then, in the task views group, click Gantt chart. Now you can type the milestone name and pick the task you want to turn into a milestone. Then you can add its duration.

4. Identify the Critical Path

Now that you’ve created a Gantt chart, you can identify the critical path of your project by clicking “Gantt chart format” on the top menu and then marking the critical tasks checkbox as shown in the image below. Once you do so, the Microsoft Project Gantt chart will highlight the critical path tasks on the right side.

5. Set a Project Schedule Baseline

A project baseline is an estimate of the time, scope or cost of a project. In this case, a Microsoft Project Gantt chart can help you create a project schedule baseline that establishes the estimated time your project should take. You can then use the schedule baseline to compare the actual progress of your project against what you had planned on your Gantt chart.

6. Track Percent Complete

Tracking the progress of your team once the project execution phase starts is critical for the success of your projects. That’s why the Microsoft Project Gantt chart has a column where you and your team members can specify the percentage completion of each task. This is shown in each bar of the Microsoft Project Gantt chart.

In the MS Project Gantt chart example below, the percent complete of the task that’s selected has been set to 45%. Therefore, the bar that represents that task on the Microsoft Project Gantt chart is filled halfway in dark blue. You might edit the formatting to change the color of your stacked bar.

Microsoft Project Gantt Chart Example

This Microsoft Project Gantt chart example shows a Gantt chart that was created for construction project management. On the left, there’s a list of tasks and information about them such as their duration, due dates, task dependencies and percentage of completion. On the right, there’s the stacked bar chart that shows each of those tasks on a timeline.

You can see the names of the team members to whom you’ve assigned the tasks. Additionally, as we pointed out earlier, each of the Microsoft Project Gantt chart bars shows the percentage of completion of each task with the fill color, which shows the progress each team member makes on each task.

Use the Microsoft Project Gantt Chart Wizard

MS Project has something called the Gantt Chart Wizard, a Gantt chart maker that’s designed to help users build Gantt charts automatically without any manual setup. To use it, you’ll need to follow these steps:

First, you have to add the Gantt Chart Wizard to the Project Ribbon by clicking File on the top menu, then click “Options.” Once the Options window opens, click the “Customize ribbon” button on the left side, then select Macros and click “New Group.” Then rename the new group you’ve created. We’ve called it “Gantt chart wizard” for this Microsoft Project Gantt chart example.

Now click the drop-down menu and select “All Commands” and find the command called Gantt chart wizard, then click “Add.”

Then click the Gantt Chart Wizard icon on your Quick Access Toolbar. This will bring up a welcome screen.

The Microsoft Project Gantt chart will allow you to customize the information you want to display, like critical path tasks, resources, project baselines and task dependencies. Simply follow the steps that are shown in the Gantt chart wizard windows like the one below.

Congratulations! You’ve created a Microsoft Project Gantt chart using the wizard feature. This feature will help you save time and create project schedules easily.

ProjectManager Has Better Gantt Charts Than Microsoft Project

ProjectManager gives you superior Gantt charts than Microsoft Project at a competitive price that won’t bust the bank. Our software is more intuitive and visual than MS Project and user-friendly. If you’re stuck with Microsoft Project Gantt charts, you can import MPP files in our software, make the changes you need to and collaborate with the project team. Then, export those changes in the MPP file back to MS Project.

But there’s a better solution: use our cloud-based project portfolio management software. We even have a mobile app, which Microsoft Project doesn’t, and multiple project views, from kanban boards and task lists to sheet and calendar views, all of which update simultaneously in real time.

Superior Cost and Resource Tracking Gantt Chart Features

Our Gantt chart view helps you keep track of project costs by setting a baseline, which captures your project cost and then compares those planned costs to your actual costs in real time. You can see if you’re overspending and take action to prevent going over your budget.

You can set the availability of your resources, including PTO, vacation and global holidays, which makes it easier to make assignments and then track their progress across your project or portfolio of projects. Use our color-coded workload chart to balance your team’s workload to keep them working at capacity.

Real-Time Project Tracking Dashboards

Once you set the baseline in the Gantt chart you can then compare your planned effort against your actual effort in real time across the app. For example, toggle over to our real-time dashboard, which automatically collects live data and displays it on easy-to-read graphs and charts that show time, cost, workload and much more.

Unlike lightweight alternatives, our dashboard doesn’t require a lengthy and complicated setup. If you need more details, use our reporting features. It’s easy to generate a status or portfolio report, variance, timesheet, workload report and many more. All are customizable, so you can filter only the data you want to see, and they can be easily shared to keep stakeholders informed.

Related Microsoft Project Content

If you’re still on the fence about Microsoft Project Gantt charts, we have more MS Project articles for you to read. Learn about Microsoft Project, find the best Microsoft Project alternatives and much more. Follow the links below.

• Microsoft Project: Plans, Training and How to Download
• Best Gantt Chart Software: Free & Paid Options Ranked
• What Is Microsoft Project? Uses, Features and Pricing
• Microsoft Project Online: Pros, Cons and Free Alternatives
• Microsoft Planner Gantt Chart: How to Make a Gantt Chart in Microsoft Planner
• Gantt Chart de Microsoft Project: Pros, Contras y Alternativas

ProjectManager is online project and portfolio management software that connects teams whether they’re in the office, out in the field or anywhere in between. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay updated with email and in-app notifications. Join teams at Avis, Nestle and Siemens who use our software to deliver successful projects. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

The post Microsoft Project Gantt Chart: A How-to Guide With Pros, Cons & Alternatives appeared first on ProjectManager.