Hi, this is Mike Negami, Lean Sigma Black Belt. Today, I would like to talk about how
to make a Gantt Chart using an Excel template. In Lean Sigma projects, we often use this
tool at the end of the Define Phase. This is an example of a completed Gantt Chart.
From the left, there are the Task Name, Task Lead, Task Days, Start Date, End Date and
Progress % columns. The right side of the form has horizontal bar charts that represent
each task's work periods visually. This tool better enables us to make our project
plan more efficient and practical during its composition. In my opinion, this process is
more valuable than the product of the process. For example, since it's easy to compare the
lengths of the bars visually, you can decide on more realistic task periods. Another example
is since it makes you consider the front to back relationships among the tasks, you can
make an efficient and short project plan. Now, let’s practice making a Gantt Chart,
but first we have to make a WBS, Work Breakdown Structure. You can list up all the Gantt Chart’s
project tasks after making the WBS. I explained how to make a WBS in the previous videos.
Please watch those too. You can download both the WBS and Gantt Chart
Excel templates from my blog site: econoshift.com. This is a completed WBS from a previous video.
Here is the section of deliverables and tasks. We're going to copy and paste the WBS deliverables
and tasks to the Gantt Chart. Since my WBS uses merged cells, you can't
copy and paste merged cells. If you do, this will happen. Therefore, copy only the text
in your formula bar, paste it onto the Gantt Chart. Let’s do one more. In order to distinguish
between deliverables and tasks, at the task’s cell, click here “Increase Indent”, then
the text will move to the right little by little. Repeat these, then here is completed
entry of all tasks and task leads. Next, enter your project’s start and end
dates here. Then these dates will appear on the chart header automatically.
Enter each task’s work days and the start date in the next cells. Then, each
task's end date and the days needed bar will appear. Repeat this on all tasks, then it’ll
look like this. There is one very important thing here. When
you enter each task’s start date, please do that while considering the preceding necessary
processes that are required by each task. For example, this task's preceding necessary
process is the above task, therefore, one day after the above task's end date became
this task's start date. How about this one? Its necessary task is way before, this one,
so one day after this end date became the task's start date. By doing this, you can
plan your project’s length short naturally. Now click this upside-down triangle icon in
Column E and sort by auto filter. It will sort by task lead. You can check if your task
allocation is even and practical. If not, reallocate them. After checking all, bring
the order back by “Sort A to Z” in Column B. This is a completed Gantt Chart.
Today, I talked about how to make a Gantt Chart. It is a necessary tool in project management.
Furthermore, I use this for personal events as well, like vacation trips or moving preparation.
They are very useful. With this template, you can make your own Gantt Chart very easily
in a very short amount of time. Therefore, try to utilize a Gantt Chart in your work
or for your personal events. Thank you very much for viewing. If you like my videos, please
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