Scheduling

A bar chart illustrating the project schedule with start/finish dates and dependencies.

Key Features

• Horizontal bars: Task duration along a timeline
• Dependencies: Arrows showing relationships (FS, SS, FF, SF)
• Milestones: Diamond shapes for key dates
• Critical Path: Highlighted longest path through the project
• Progress: Shading within bars to show percent complete

The most commonly used scheduling tool. Generated by MS Project, Primavera, and other tools.

A simplified Gantt chart showing only key deliverables, events, or dates.

Characteristics

• Significant events with zero duration
• Ideal for executive reporting and stakeholder communication
• Does not show task durations or dependencies
• Used in status reports and project dashboards

Milestones typically represent: kickoff, phase gates, deliverable completions, approvals, go-live, and closure.

Tracks work remaining vs. time in an Agile sprint or iteration.

How to Read It

• X-axis: Time (days in the sprint)
• Y-axis: Work remaining (story points or tasks)
• Ideal line: Straight diagonal — expected burndown
• Actual line: Real daily progress

Patterns

• Above ideal: Behind schedule
• Below ideal: Ahead of schedule
• Flat sections: Work blocked
• Upward spikes: Scope added mid-sprint

A Burnup Chart is the inverse — shows work completed, making scope changes more visible.