What is a Gantt chart? Examples & templates for 2025

Ever feel like managing a project is like juggling flaming swords while riding a unicycle? You’re not alone. Between looming deadlines, tangled task lists, and last-minute changes, it’s easy for things to spiral.

Enter the Gantt chart: your secret weapon for turning project chaos into clarity. With a quick glance, you can see what’s happening when, who’s doing what, and where things might go off the rails—before they do.

In this post, we’ll break down what Gantt charts are, how they work, and how to build one. Bonus: we’ve got templates to get you started.  

What is a Gantt chart?

A Gantt chart is a visual project management tool that maps out a project’s timeline and serves as a high-level project roadmap. Tasks are listed on the left, dates run across the top, and each task is represented by a horizontal bar that spans from its start date to its end date. The length of the bar shows how long the task will take.

Built from a clear work breakdown structure, Gantt charts show task dependencies, track project progress, and highlight key milestones—giving teams a complete view of the project plan. Whether you're working in a traditional waterfall model or blending in agile practices, Gantt charts help project managers communicate timelines, allocate resources, and stay on schedule, making them essential for managing complex projects.

Gantt chart history

The Gantt chart was first developed in 1896 by Polish researcher Karol Adamiecki as a way to visually map tasks against deadlines. But because he published only in Polish and Russian, his work didn’t gain widespread recognition.

In the early 1900s, American engineer Henry Gantt created a similar chart to manage operations and track worker productivity. His version gained traction, especially during World War I, when the U.S. government used it to plan the production of war materials. The chart eventually took his name and became a staple in project management.

Originally drawn by hand, Gantt charts had to be redone every time a schedule changed—a tedious process. Today, modern project management software generates dynamic Gantt charts that update automatically as tasks shift, making it easier than ever to plan, adjust, and stay on track.

The benefits of using Gantt charts

Gantt charts do more than show your project’s schedule—they give you and your stakeholders a strategic overview of how all project tasks, timelines, and dependent tasks fit together across different project phases.

Here are some of the key benefits:

In short, a modern Gantt chart turns complexity into clarity, making it easier to manage people, timelines, and priorities in one visual plan.

Gantt chart components

To build or interpret a Gantt chart, you need to understand the key elements that make up its visual timeline. Together, these components help you schedule tasks, manage dependencies, and streamline project execution.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what each part does:

Together, these elements turn your Gantt chart into a dynamic, real-time dashboard to plan, schedule tasks, manage resources, and streamline project delivery.

When to use a Gantt chart

Gantt charts are helpful for almost any project with a defined timeline, clear deadlines, and tasks that depend on one another. Whether you’re launching a new product or building a simple lead magnet, if your project involves coordinating people, tasks, and time, a Gantt chart can keep it on track.

Use one when you need to:

Who uses Gantt charts

While project managers are the most frequent users, Gantt charts are useful for anyone managing time-sensitive, multi-step work. Common users include:

Bottom line: If your work has moving parts and a deadline, a Gantt chart can help you stay organized and in control.

How to create a Gantt chart

Follow this step-by-step process to build a Gantt chart that’s accurate, useful, and easy to maintain.

1. Define the project scope

Start by aligning with stakeholders on your project’s objective. If the goal isn’t clear, your chart won’t be either.

Next, list the key deliverables needed to meet that objective. For example, a marketing launch might include a positioning statement, a landing page, and an email sequence. Once the deliverables are set, break them into specific tasks. 

2. Build your task list 

Create a detailed list of tasks needed to complete each deliverable. Don’t stay high-level—break large items like “build homepage” into smaller, trackable steps.

Group related tasks by team or function (marketing, engineering, QA), and consider color-coding them to make the chart easier to scan.

3. Estimate task duration

Assign time estimates to each task and subtask. For more accuracy, use the 3-point estimation method:

Example: If O = 15 days, M = 25 days, and P = 40 days, your estimate is (15 + 4×25 + 40) ÷ 6 = 26 days.

Tips for better estimates:

4. Map task dependencies and assign dates

Figure out which tasks rely on others. Can Task B start only after Task A finishes? These dependencies shape your timeline and critical path.

Then, assign start and end dates to each task based on your estimates and dependencies.

5. Input project information into a Gantt chart tool

Use software like Airtable to turn your task data into a Gantt chart. If your project is already organized in Airtable, simply switch to the Gantt view—your chart will automatically reflect durations, dependencies, milestones, and more.

You can customize colors, labels, and timelines to fit your team’s needs. If your data lives in a spreadsheet, just import it into Airtable and generate your chart from there.

Watch this tutorial to see how it works.

6. Review and update your Gantt chart

Set a cadence (weekly or bi-weekly) to review and update your Gantt chart. Adjust for delays or scope changes to keep it accurate and actionable.

If you’re using Airtable, updates happen automatically when project data changes—so your Gantt chart always stays in sync with reality. 

Gantt chart examples

Here are two common use cases to inspire your own Gantt chart setup. While it’s possible to build a Gantt chart in Excel, templates in purpose-built project management tools like Airtable are faster, more flexible, and far easier to maintain. You get built-in automation, real-time updates, and a dynamic visual interface—no formulas or manual formatting required.

1. Project planning Gantt chart template

Use this Gantt chart template to map out every phase of a project—from kickoff to delivery. Airtable’s project planning template lets you centralize project details, visualize timelines, and automatically adjust schedules when deadlines shift. It keeps your team aligned and your plan up to date.

2. Product planning Gantt chart template

This Gantt chart is built for product teams managing roadmaps and feature releases. It helps you organize workstreams, track dependencies, and ensure that all tasks stay in sync with your product timeline.

Key features of Gantt chart software

The best Gantt chart tools do more than draw timelines—they help teams plan, collaborate, and adapt with ease. Look for these key features:

Master project management with Airtable’s Gantt charts

Airtable gives you everything you need to plan, manage, and track projects—start to finish—in one flexible, AI-powered workspace.

Centralize your project details in a single place, from tasks and owners to deadlines and dependencies. Then visualize your work with multiple views, including Gantt charts, Kanban boards, calendars, and grids—whatever works best for your team.

Get started fast with ready-to-use templates. The Gantt chart template lets you turn project data into a dynamic, drag-and-drop timeline. Track progress automatically, color-code tasks by team or status, and keep everyone in sync as work moves forward.