Gantt Chart Excel Template

The following Gantt Chart template was created with Microsoft Excel® (link to file is under graph).

image of excel gantt chart template

 

Here is the gantt chart – Excel, and here are the detailed instructions used to create the chart.

Preparation Steps for Creating a Gantt Chart

Identify Major Project Activities

Identify the major project activities, especially those that will make up the critical path.

List the Start Date and Total Days Required to Complete Each Task

Plan roughly when each task will be started, and how many days will be required for completion.  For the template attached to this page, estimate the time-to-completion using days.  Always consult with the task owners when performing this exercise – this will produce a realistic schedule that the task owners buy into.

Sort the Activities in Descending Order of Start Date

Note that the start dates for some tasks are dependent on completion dates for prior tasks.

Enter the Information in the Spreadsheet

filling in the Excel Gantt Chart template

Update

As the project progresses, the “days completed” column can be filled in.  This will color-code each bar in the Gantt Chart, showing days completed, days remaining, and the estimated completion date for each task.