GANTT CHARTS ARE just one of the many wonderful features Microsoft Excel and help enormously in the workplace.
Many project managers oversee the project management and implementation of, say, a staff induction system, a new computer system or procedural changes.
Our Online Excel Training Course includes training on how to create your own project plan using Gantt charts.
These project plans can be huge and extremely detailed. Just like writing complicated tender proposals, they require an extensive knowledge of some of the more advanced tools available in Microsoft Word and Excel.
Despite all of the complexity involved in the project plan, at any time, you can display the stages, timeframes and dependencies quite simply using a Gantt Chart.
And the latest version of Microsoft Excel enables you to do so using a template file. We discovered this little gem of a tool whilst reviewing each of our courses in readiness for the creation of new course content demonstrating the latest version of Microsoft Excel.
We use Smartsheet to managed detailed Gantt charts (where the dependencies can change regularly). Likewise BaseCamp (a popular project management tool) not only keeps track of all the tasks, but also enables all team members to make comments, start discussions and mark their jobs as complete.
The downside with these programs is they either cost money (and the price increases as you add team members). You also have to learn a whole new system, which can be costly in itself and time consuming.
Therefore, it’s good to have a simple tool that’s included in a program you probably already have and know — Microsoft Excel.
We’ve used these project management tools, like an Excel Gantt Chart, to manage all the steps in the process of:
Excel’s Gantt Charts enable us to systemise the process. They also can be used to show people working remotely exactly how the work that they do fits into the overall framework of the company.
It shows them all the tasks that need to be performed and how they fit into the big scheme of things. Developing this better understanding helps with morale and showing how and why the work they do is important, or even critical.
Indeed, I’ve used Gantt Charts as a tool to help identify why a staff member’s task is important; also why it needs to be completed by a certain date.
Similarly, if you’re struggling to meet deadlines because you’re counting on work being completed by other people first, Gantt Charts are a great way to help you and all the others you rely on in the project chain, to work smarter. Put simply, it helps you to manage people better.
When you first check out the Gantt Chart template file that’s available in the latest version of Microsoft Excel, you’ll see that it’s actually pretty rudimentary and based on monthly milestones.
In fact, if you’re an existing Gantt Chart user, the latest Excel template file might even appear to be too basic. That said, it’s perfect if you’re not that familiar with Gantt Charts and are after a sound introduction to them.
EzyLearn courses provide you with ALL levels of Excel training — from Absolute Beginners’ to Advanced users — all for the ONE LOW PRICE. You get 9 courses in total!
Other ways you benefit include:
If you’re interested in doing a course that is designed to take you on a learning journey from basic level to more advanced features, check out our Excel Online Training Courses page.
Try before you buy with our Absolute Beginners’ Microsoft Excel 301 Training Course Workbook — get it now!
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