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Gantt and PERT charts are excellent project management software and tools for scheduling complex tasks. However, less complex tasks within a simple project which involves few workers for a shorter period of time and fewer steps also means a simpler approach. Consequently, successful management coordination for this project will be dependent on early planning stages. Project management may wish to use a tool such as a Gantt chart for such simple tasks and projects. An example of such a project may be the implementation and creation of a marketing plan. A plan for a single owner business may be another example. A Gantt chart may in fact make a simple project more complicated than it needs to be. It could be far more than necessary for such simple planning needs. It will be helpful if such tools are understood by all members of a project in order to maintain good communication among all parties. It may be much more useful to simply use an action plan or a time timetable for simple planning needs. As long as all those involved get their time table and plan things should go smoothly. Members may need to be involved in negotiation of the time table and the management may want to use calendars or diaries for records. With the projects being measured and monitored than they will be requiring deadlines and will have control points. It does not mean that the project will end if the deadline is missed. New time frames can be negotiated and there could be further discussions and assessment by the members in some of the cases. A Gantt Chart might be required if the deadline is regularly crossed or in case a project gets too complex, however the members should be well versed with the use of this tool. A list of actions and tasks such as an action plan can be used to reach a single goal or outcome such as a specific project. Good action plans will focus on reaching one goal. The actions may be put into a to-do list or action calendar, though such lists may also cover more many goals. Getting a project on track one it has been derailed can be a challenge. When a task as fallen behind or a worker has then management may need to make compromises to recover the overall goal. The reassigning of resources may be required. The order of tasks may be affected or the specified scope of specific tasks altered. Reassigning resources can happen to even the best project managers. Sometimes a task may become more challenging than what was originally considered or the resources that were provided are needed for more critical tasks. However, it is possible that if some tasks are no longer priorities than a re-evaluation should be considered to determine whether the planned task is required. The best way to take on a complex problem is to break it down into smaller tasks, and do the easiest ones first. You can make progress right now, as well as giving yourself extra time to consider the harder tasks. Or, you may be able to do some of the most challenging ones now, while combining the easiest tasks later, to plow through right before the deadline. A Gantt chart can be useful in planning for the possible roadblocks a project may run into. When a manager can see the whole plan laid out before them it may help them to see where problems may arise or where time and resources may be better used. This can help to avoid problems before they arise. Steve Wilheir is a marketing and management consultant. Consult these resources to learn more about Gantt Charting, Pert Charts, and Project Management Software.
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