Gantt charts are used for scheduling and task management. Ordinary Gantt charts only display basic details such as task IDs, names, and schedules. Gantt Chart by MAQ Software includes a grid that allows users to view data related to the task and the hierarchy of data categories. Users can sort the data based on any data point contained in the task. Download Gantt Chart Template Online. Now that you already have the app you need, it's time for you to download a printable and editable sample chart templates here in Template.Net if you want to have a basis or guideline. Downloading a Gantt chart template will also help you save more time in designing from scratch. Download Project Office: Gantt chart for macOS 10.12 or later and enjoy it on your Mac. Project Office is a full-featured project management app. Based on Gantt method, this app is built to make it easy juggling multiple projects, assign resources, track any remaining work to be done, and head off potential bottlenecks at a glance.
Gantt charts are a core part of the project planning process. Which functions do they offer and how do you find the right application to fit your requirements? In this article, we'll cover all the important questions relating to gantt chart tools on macOS.
Definition: What is a gantt chart?
When to use a gantt chart Gantt charts on macOS Checklist: How to find your perfect gantt chart tool Definition: What is a gantt chart?
A gantt chart can be defined as a traditional project management tool to visualize the project schedule and to monitor the progress of project activities.
In a gantt chart all activities are displayed as bars in separate rows. You enter activities in the first column of a spreadsheet. As the first row marks the timeline your activities are displayed as a bar more left or right in its row depending on its start and end date. The bar is smaller or langer according to its calculated duration. In the end, you will get a good overview of all activities and their position in the context of the project as a whole.
You can easily find overlapping activities as their will be apparent as overlapping bars. Different colors are used to visualize if a task is still to be done, is work in progress or completed. Normally, it is also possible to highlight the critical path, i.e. those activities which affect the completion date of the project.
The name gantt chart refers to the American mechanical engineer Henry Gantt who did not invent this methodology but used and optimized the approach and made it popular during the 1910s.
When to use a gantt chart
Gantt diagrams can be used as planning tools for every kind of project. In contrast to other project visualizations, i.e. work breakdown structure, gantt charts can be created rather quickly with no time consuming training.
Gantt charts are especially handy when managing small and middle sized projects. As the tend to get confusing, if too many activities shall be displayed. However, with the right degree of detail even complex project can be displayed just fine. It's a challenge to find a balance between visualizing bigger work packages to keep the chart informative meanwhile neglecting details and to display small work packages while loosing a comprehensive view over the whole project.
Gantt charts on macOS
For a long time, Microsoft Project was the only serious project management application on the market. As the software is only available for Windows computer, Mac user had no choice than to create gantt charts with Excel or other spreadsheet applications.
Today, user can choose from a wide range of gantt chart tools for Mac. There are free applications as well as fee-based services, tools for beginners and professional users. Not all applications satisfy the minimum requirements you should set. The features and usability of different gantt chart tools varies quite a lot.
Free vs. fee-based applications
Why should you buy a gantt chart software if there are free applications available? At least, high software quality not always correlates to high prices. However, free gantt tools often come with a very minimal range of functions and lack customization options. You do not have to deal with those problems when investing a small amount in professional gantt chart software.
If you have little experience working with gantt charts or if you cannot dismiss the possibility of evolving requirements, it is usually a good idea to consider a professional software. You will save yourself unnecessary stress and time you need to switch to a better solution later on.
Cloud applications vs. local applications
Today, there are lots of saas applications you can use directly from your browser with no need of local installation. You don't need to worry about your IT infrastructure of the limitations of your operating system. That's for advantages. But cloud applications pose a huge security threat as they save confidential data on servers outside the company's direct control. This risk can be avoided if companies use local software and sync their data via secure server to share them with others. In this way, they benefit from the same flexibility saas applications offer but without the downsides. Besides, local software takes advantage of macOS' strengths and fits in well with the general usabilty. Both factors contribute to an efficient workflow and a short introduction phase.
Checklist: How to find your perfect gantt chart tool
Merlin Project and Merlin Project Express fulfill all mentioned criteria. Msi app for mac. For small projects, Merlin Project Express is a good fit. For complex and professional use, Merlin Project is the application of choice. You can download both versions and try them free for 30 days.
If you have any questions or problems, contact our support team.
This step-by-step Pages Gantt chart tutorial demonstrates how to make professional Gantt charts inside the popular word processor for Mac.
Mac users wanting to visually present plans or schedules in Pages can tweak a default 2D Stacked Bar chart to build a basic Gantt chart. Because formatting the graphic in Pages can become time-consuming, those who need to regularly create and update such visuals may find it simpler to use a dedicated Gantt chart maker instead.
This page will show you two ways to get your Gantt chart: either build it manually in Pages, or use the web-based Gantt chart maker called Office Timeline Online, which generates a professional visual automatically and lets you download it as a PowerPoint slide for easy sharing. If you wish to learn how to make a timeline in Pages for Mac, please see our timeline tutorial here.
Which tutorial would you like to see?How to manually make a Gantt chart in Pages1. Enter your project data into a table in Pages
2. Add a 2D Stacked Bar Chart to your Pages document
Now that you have sorted out your data, you can start building your graphic.
3. Input your project data into the chart
4. Turn your graphic into a Gantt chart
Now that that your chart has the right data in, you need to format it to make it look more like a Gantt. This means making the blue bars transparent so that only the green ones remain visible (these will represent the tasks of your project schedule). To do so, you need to select the chart area and:
5. Customize the tasks bars of your Gantt chart
6. Customize the chart area
Once you’ve finished customizing the task bars, you can also make changes to the chart area of your graphic. Select it and use the features within the Chart and Axis tabs of the Format pane as follows:
Download Gantt chart template for PagesHow to make a Gantt chart online automatically
Apple's Pages does let you build a Gantt chart, but the formatting process can become cumbersome especially if you need to regularly create and edit such visuals for recurrent communications. Below I'll demonstrate how to make professional-looking Gantt charts more easily using Office Timeline Online.
Allowing you to automatically create an eye-catching graphic directly from your browser, Office Timeline also lets you update it quickly and download it as a .pptx file or .png image. To get things started, access the free online tool and carry out the following steps.
1. Add your project’s details in Office Timeline Online
2. Customize and update your Gantt Chart with ease
Gantt Chart App MacSee how easy it is to make Gantt charts with Office Timeline OnlineComments are closed.
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