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A PhD timeline for finishing quickly [Free Gantt Download]

Navigating the labyrinthine journey of a PhD program is no small feat.

From the day you step into your graduate program as a bright-eyed doctoral student, you’re immediately thrust into a complex weave of coursework, research, and milestones.

By the second year, you’ve transitioned from coursework to research, laying the groundwork for your dissertation—a pivotal component in your scholarly endeavour. 

Come the third year, you face the critical oral examination, a hurdle that could make or break years of hard work.

But how does one streamline this multifaceted journey? The answer lies in a well-planned PhD timeline.

This blog serves as an invaluable guide for any PhD student looking to complete their doctoral studies efficiently, walking you through each milestone from coursework to graduation.

How to Begin with the PhD Timeline Planning?

Planning your PhD timeline is an essential first step in your PhD program.

Success in any PhD program depends, to a large extent, on effective time management and keeping track of progress through a thoughtfully crafted PhD timeline. 

Start with outlining all your major requirements:

  • coursework,
  • dissertation,
  • and the expected time needed for each task.

I also highly recommend factoring in failure time – give yourself a little bit of wiggle room for when things, invariably – go wrong. 

It’s crucial to remain realistic about the time you can commit daily or weekly while keeping long-term goals in mind.

Regular check-ins on your PhD timeline and supervisor will help you stay on track and allow you to adapt if necessary.

Adjustments may be needed as you progress through your PhD program, but having a timeline as a guide can make the journey less daunting and more achievable. 

Elements to include in a 3-year PhD timeline

The initial stage in this timeline typically involves coursework, often lasting one year, where the student engrosses themselves in advanced study in their chosen field.

Once the coursework is done (USA PhDs), they focus on proposing, conducting, and presenting their initial research.

By the end of the second year, most students should have a clear direction for their dissertation, a core component of the PhD process.

In this third and final year of the PhD timeline, the student focuses primarily on completing their dissertation, which involves collecting data, analyzing results, and organizing their research into a substantial, original, and cohesive document that contributes to contemporary knowledge in their field.

Regular reviews and modifications of the PhD timeline may also be necessary to accommodate various unpredictable circumstances, thus making this timeline both a guide and a flexible workplan.

It is a significant tool in successfully navigating the maze of becoming a PhD holder. 

Create Your PhD Timeline for a 3 year completion

Creating a timeline for a 3-year PhD program requires careful planning, as you’ll have multiple milestones and tasks to complete.

This timeline may vary depending on your specific field, institution, or country, but here is a general outline you can use as a starting point:

Free Gantt chart excel template

Here is a free template you can modify for your own research:

Example Gantt chart for a USA PhD

Here are some common steps involved in completing a PhD, which I’ll use to create the Gantt chart:

PhD timeline USA PhD Gantt Chart

  • Orientation and Coursework (Semester 1) : Familiarization with the university, department, and coursework.
  • Coursework (Semester 2) : Continued coursework and possible teaching/research assistantships.
  • Select Advisor and Research Topic : Usually done towards the end of the first year or the beginning of the second year.
  • Preliminary Research : Initial research and literature review.
  • Complete Coursework (Semester 3) : Wrap up any remaining required courses.
  • Research Proposal : Develop a full research proposal including methodology.
  • Qualifying Exams : Exams to transition from a Ph.D. student to a Ph.D. candidate.
  • Begin Research : Start of actual research based on the approved proposal.
  • Conduct Research : Data collection, experiments, and analysis.
  • Intermediate Review : A review to assess the progress of the research.
  • Write Papers : Start writing papers and possibly publishing in journals.
  • Finalize Research : Final experiments and data analysis.
  • Write Dissertation : Writing the actual Ph.D. dissertation.
  • Dissertation Defense : Defending the dissertation before the committee.
  • Graduation : Completing all requirements and graduating.

Example Gantt chart for a UK, European and Australian PhD

For Ph.D. programs outside the United States, especially in Europe and some other parts of the world, students often go straight into research without the need for coursework. Here are some common steps for such programs:

PhD timeline UK PhD Gantt Chart

  • Orientation : Familiarization with the university and department.
  • Select Advisor and Research Topic : Usually done at the beginning of the program.

Wrapping up

The journey to earning a PhD is complex and demanding, filled with academic milestones from coursework to research to dissertation writing.

The key to a smooth and efficient doctoral journey lies in well-planned time management—a structured PhD timeline.

This blog serves as an invaluable guide, offering detailed tips for planning out each academic year in both U.S. and international PhD programs. It emphasizes the importance of starting with an outline of major requirements and factoring in “failure time” for unforeseen challenges.

For those looking to navigate their PhD journey in three years or beyond, having a flexible but comprehensive timeline can be the compass that guides them successfully through the academic labyrinth.

Whether you’re just starting out or already deep into your research, the principles and strategies outlined here can help streamline your path to that coveted doctoral hood.

example phd gantt chart

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

Thank you for visiting Academia Insider.

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How to Create and Use a Gantt Chart for PhD Studies

Gantt chart

A Gantt chart is a common tool used in the project management field. It is used for schedule planning of a project and its tasks and activities. It shows the tasks, their start and end dates, and the duration needed to complete them.

A PhD is a project and may last from as few as three years to as long as six years depending on the university and department a student is enrolled in.

In order to successfully complete a PhD program, one needs to plan when each of the tasks will be completed from the word go. A Gantt chart is very useful in doing this.

A PhD student can create one comprehensive Gantt chart or several smaller Gantt charts for each of the major deliverables.

This article discusses a Gantt chart for a general PhD program that has both coursework and dissertation components.

Benefits of a Gantt chart for planning PhD studies

Steps involved in creating a gantt chart for phd studies, how to effectively use the phd gantt chart, final thoughts on the phd gantt chart.

Creating a Gantt chart at the beginning of PhD studies has the following benefits:

  • It is easy to create. A student can use the traditional pen-and-paper method or existing digital tools or softwares to create a Gantt chart.
  • It is easy to read. The visual presentation of the Gantt chart makes it easy for the student to read and know what is expected of him at any point in time.
  • A Gantt chart makes it easy to monitor progress of PhD studies. The user can choose to use different colors for tasks that have already been completed, tasks that are close to completion, and tasks that require more time and effort to complete.
  • It forms the basis for monthly, weekly, and daily planning of the PhD studies. Depending on how detailed a student wants to go in terms of planning, the Gantt chart comes in handy when writing out the monthly, weekly and even daily plans.

Step 1: List all the deliverables expected of your PhD program. In this example, the PhD program has the following requirements:

  • Coursework, divided into 4 modules each lasting 2 weeks. All 4 modules need to be completed within the first year of study.
  • A comprehensive written exam at the end of the fourth module.
  • An oral exam once a student passes the written exam.
  • Submission of a concept note.
  • Submission of a research proposal once a student passes the oral exam.
  • Writing a business management case study.
  • Three journal papers.
  • At least two conference papers.
  • A dissertation.

Step 2: For each of the requirements listed above, note the start and end dates. For the above example, the PhD program lasts a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years. Assuming the minimum of 3 years (beginning January 2021), the activities’ start and end dates are as follows:

Step 3: Using the above information, create the Gantt chart using Microsoft Word, Powerpoint or Excel.

The following are useful resources for creating a Gantt chart using:

  • Microsoft Powerpoint: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp0vr6OkW8Y
  • Microsoft Excel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00s5efQWrgU&t=10s
  • Microsoft Word: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F90RdA5X4G0

The Gantt chart created from the above data is shown below. The chart was created using Microsoft Powerpoint.

PhD Gantt chart

Step 4: Once the Gantt chart is complete, print it out and hang it on the wall of your study room/area. This serves as a constant reminder of the tasks that need to be done at any point in time, as well as of the progress that has been made so far.

The greatest strength in using the Gantt chart for PhD studies lies in its ability to help one plan ahead. Using the Gantt chart above as an example, the user can plan as follows:

  • At the beginning of every month, look at what is required of you. For instance, the student above needs to complete module one of the coursework and at the same time start working on proposal writing.

The student can plan for module one in advance by going through the course structure and expected readings, and reading in advance before the start of the module so that he is able to follow and understand what is being taught. If there are pre- and post-module exams, the student can also prepare for them in advance.

Preliminary tasks for proposal writing can include: discussing your proposed topic with your supervisor, and searching for and quick review of literature to identify the gap that your topic will be addressing. All these can be done in the first month before the actual proposal writing starts.

  • The Gantt chart can help you identify the skills that are required for the successful completion of your dissertation. For instance, the student above is expected to write a Business Management case study by June of year 2.

If the student does not have case study writing skills, he can start looking for courses that teach case study writing and complete them way before the deadline for the case study. Same case for skills such as preparing and writing a journal paper, writing a conference paper, data analysis using softwares such as Stata, SPSS, NVivo etc.

  • The Gantt chart can help you plan for academic-related events such as conferences.

In the example provided above, the student is expected to attend two scientific conferences (in November of year 2 and March of year 3) and make presentations.

The student can start looking for conferences related to his field that are held during the proposed times and mark the key dates and requirements of the conferences (for instance, abstract submission deadlines, abstract submission guidelines, registration deadlines etc).

  • The Gantt chart can help you create monthly and weekly plans for longer tasks such as proposal writing.

In the above sample Gantt chart, proposal writing and defense spans a period of 15 months. By March of the second year, the student is expected to defend his proposal. This may seem like such a long period of time but in reality it is not. This is because it is not the only task that the student will undertake during this period. As a result, it is easier to focus on the tasks at hand and forget about the tasks that seem to have adequate time.

Proposal writing is a daunting task and requires constant reading and updating. To ensure that the student submits his proposal in time, he can create monthly and weekly plans for the task. An example of monthly planning for the proposal writing is provided in the table below:

The monthly plan is based on assumptions, for instance, that the supervisor will review the document within the scheduled timeframe. This may or may not hold, depending on the supervisor.

It is therefore important to allow ample time for such factors that are out of your own control in order to ensure that the task is completed by the deadline.

The monthly plans can further be broken down into weekly (and even daily) plans, for instance:

  • Number of papers to read per week (day).
  • Number of words to write per week (day).
  • How many citations and bibliographies to insert (update) every week (day).
  • Number of additional articles to search and add to your library each week etc.

Each of these tasks contributes to the overall proposal writing and make the task completion easier and faster than waiting for the last few months to do it all at once.

A PhD is a medium- to long-term project depending on how long it takes to finish. It therefore requires effective and careful planning from the start of the program to ensure that each deliverable is completed within the stipulated time. The Gantt chart is an easy-to-create, and easy-to-use planning tool that can be used by all PhD students. Not only does it save the student time but it also gives him peace of mind knowing the progress of each and every task required.

Grace Njeri-Otieno

Grace Njeri-Otieno is a Kenyan, a wife, a mom, and currently a PhD student, among many other balls she juggles. She holds a Bachelors' and Masters' degrees in Economics and has more than 7 years' experience with an INGO. She was inspired to start this site so as to share the lessons learned throughout her PhD journey with other PhD students. Her vision for this site is "to become a go-to resource center for PhD students in all their spheres of learning."

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5 Types of GANTT Charts for PhD

“GANTT chart is so crucial for PhDs. It helps them to divide, manage and arrange their PhD goals. Universities seek one from every student. So what are those 5 types of PhD GANTT charts that every PhDs need? Let’s find out.”  

A doctorate is the highest academic honor that every graduate is willing to achieve. Unfortunately, only some can manage to go for it. The journey of PhD is full of hurdles and hassles that students are often unaware about.    

It’s more an honor and thus difficult to achieve too but not impossible, certainly. Scholars often get stuck, fail and eventually drop their PhD, because of the lack of a single basic thing– planning. Every PhD is similar– Everyone has to do research, that’s it. 

However, it’s so true that doing research in some fields– like life science and biology or any other STEM subject – is quite hard and lengthy. But the sheer process is the same. Students fail because they fail to structurize their work. 

So how can we greatly succeed in our PhD endeavor? The answer is simple— by planning your work– not in mind, on paper actually in your daily life, for a year and the entire tenure of PhD. That looks nearly impossible, right?  

Planning your entire PhD, research work and writing assignments aren’t that difficult. Using a GANTT chart or preparing your own, you can manage all the stuff easily. You can design your goals and track them for your entire PhD. 

In this article, I’m gonna explain 5 types of PhD GANTT charts that every PhD student should know about.  

Stay tuned. 

5 Types of GANTT chart for PhD

36 months gantt chart for phd , phd gantt chart for research , gantt chart for thesis writing , gantt chart for daily schedule, progressive research chart.

Every scholar must have a 36-months (3-year) GANTT chart for their PhD. And let me tell you that universities also ask for one. So you must have it. Usually, the ideal PhD duration is 3 years, though students can ask for an extension. 

Along with their research project, universities ask to submit a fully planned GANTT chart for 3 years. In this planner, you have to enlist all your goals, research work, objectives and progress you would make each month. 

You have to decide and draw how much time you would give to each assignment/task. And accordingly, you have to work. Major goals in this chart would be

  • Course work
  • Pre-research work
  • Research work
  • Post-research work 
  • Thesis writing 
  • Research paper writing 
  • Thesis submission. 

Each goal has an individual task too— For instance, during the pre-research phase one has to prepare their PhD research title, synopsis, and research project and send them for approval. I have enlisted all goals, individual tasks and time required to achieve each in this GANTT template. Download it. 

Preparing this chart will help you to monitor, assist and track your PhD progress in a real-time manner. Keep in note that this is a kind of goal-achiever chart, mark each goal as “complete” you achieve.  

Image of 36 Months GANTT chart for PhD.

Research has been such a crucial parameter in PhD. Every research starts with sample collection and ends with data collection. The stepwise process of PhD research included many other important steps. 

One trait of research is ‘uncertainty’. Research is a highly unpredictable process, no one, literally– no one can predict the results and define the time frame. However, you have to make a time frame for your research. 

Put simply, you have to allot time to every research goal, which certainly increases the probability of maximizing your chances of success. So what should be the process here? 

Divide your research process into steps (our previous article will help with this). Understand the importance of each research goal and accordingly allot time. For example, 6 months for sample collection or 3 months for validation, etc. 

Then go to the GANTT chart planner and prepare a chart for a research goal against the time required. You can also add other elements like real-time monitoring, color code and progress graph. That’s totally up to you. 

Here I have one for you. Please visit it and download it. 

GANTT chart image for the research.

This PhD research planner template would increase your chances of success. 

Yet another crucial goal of any PhD is thesis writing, and it should progress simultaneously with your research. Meaning, you should have to write in your free time during/while you do lab research.   

PhD thesis is a mountainous task of writing 200 pages– structured and organized assignment. Common thesis parts are– the introduction, review of literature, methodology, results and discussion, interpretation and references. 

Besides many other things are also included in the thesis, to know more read this article— How to Write a PhD thesis?

As we aforesaid, research is an uncertain process but not writing. You can manage and control your PhD writing assignments by only preparing a single GANTT chart. Note that writing for PhD takes a huge proportion of your time. 

So planning for writing a thesis is crucial too. Prepare a chart for thesis writing goals against the time required– For instance, 2 months for introduction, 7 months for review of the literature and so on. 

 Give each writing goal a different color and monitor the progress. Check out this GANTT chart for more detail. 

GANTT chart image for thesis.

What is the ultimate goal of any research scholar? To achieve the PhD degree, right? No. it’s to achieve the PhD degree in a given time. I.e. in three years. Hence, to complete such a huge task in a given time frame you have to manage things at a micro-level. 

Zero-date planning and micro-management help you to get success in a quick time. Now, you may wonder how it’s possible. The simple answer is by planning every day, 365 days of the year 1,095 days of the entire tenure. 

My ultimate advice to every PhD student who wishes to succeed in their research is to prepare and manage your daily schedule. The importance of a daily schedule and how to manage it is explained in our previous article, here it is— What should be a daily routine for PhD Students? Our proven checklist .

Plan your day on an excel sheet in the form of a GANTT chart. Try hard to follow it every day and you would see magical results in the long run. Daily planning (using this simple GANTT chart) helps every one of our PhD research students. 

Prepare your daily schedule– activities you are doing, want to do and you have to do, give it a specific time and stamp it in the form of a chart. The fun part is you can use different colors to track your activities. 

For example, Read if fails to achieve a goal or green for achieved goals. Take a quick look at one of my student’s GANTT daily charts.  

  

The image of the GANTT chart for the daily schedule.

Every PhD should have a progressive research chart there on their PhD. You have to lead it and apply to monitor how much progress you have done in your semester or in a year. It’s progressive means you have to update your goals, otherwise, it will consider it as “failed”  and mark it as unachieved. 

I plan to prepare one progressive and real-time chart, when you set a start and end date, it starts the tik-tik toward a deadline. I will update it later in this article. 

Wrapping up

After reading all these, you wonder if it’s difficult to prepare all this stuff and manage. Let me tell you that you do not need to waste your time on such things. Just focus on your research. We already have “ready-to-use templates” in a single place. 

Please visit this page to access a single or all GANTT chart. You can use it. I hope you like this article. Please share it and don’t forget to check out our templates. 

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Dr Tushar Chauhan

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How to develop an awesome PhD timeline step-by-step

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A successful PhD journey begins with a solid plan that includes a PhD timeline . A thought-through and well-designed PhD timeline requires some time but can be accomplished in a few simple steps.

Why a clear PhD research timeline matters

Step 1: decide what to include in your phd timeline, step 2: discuss your provisional phd timeline with your supervisor/s, step 3: design your phd timeline, step 4: regularly update your phd timeline.

Doing a PhD means committing to a challenging project that spans several years. Therefore, it is no surprise that doing a PhD can feel quite overwhelming. How do you even begin to tackle such a huge project?

A PhD timeline breaks down the daunting task of doing a PhD into an actionable plan with tasks and milestones along the way.

Even if not everything will go as planned (which is normal and no problem!), a PhD timeline can give PhD students peace of mind. A good plan, worked out in a PhD timeline, helps them to structure their time, communicate their goals and work toward specific targets.

Some PhD students are required to create a PhD timeline as part of their programme. Yet, even if PhD students are not required to do so, it is highly recommended to create a PhD timeline!

PhD timelines should be as diverse as PhD research projects: What you decide to include in your timeline should fit to your situation, goals and your programmes’ requirements.

Common elements included in a PhD timeline are the following:

  • Data collection : How, when and where are you collecting your research data?
  • Fieldwork : Is your data collection spread out or are you spending several weeks doing fieldwork? If so, when is this scheduled and how can you avoid overlaps with other requirements, such as coursework?
  • Experiments : Are you running experiments for your PhD research? If so, when? And how long do you estimate this will take you?
  • Data analysis : Once you have your data, be it quantitative or qualitative data, when and how do you analyse it? How much time do you block for this task?
  • Writing plan : When are you writing down your results? How can you break down writing into different parts, for instance, writing goals per chapter or article?
  • Publications : Publication requirements differ from PhD programme to programme. Even if you write your PhD as a monograph (instead of a selection of articles) , you should try to publish something during your PhD. When would you have an opportunity to do so, and how much time does it require?
  • Conferences : Every PhD student should present at a conference during their PhD trajectory. Which conferences are you interested in? When do they take place, and when would you have findings to share at a conference?
  • Coursework : What are your PhD programme’s coursework requirements? What courses are you interested in, and when are they offered?
  • Other activities : Are there any other activities that are crucial for your PhD project? Think, for instance, about an extensive dissemination campaign, collaboration with external partners, internships, online activities etcetera.

Make a draft plan, including dates and times. Then move to Step 2: Discussing it with your supervisor/s!

Proactively creating your PhD timeline is a good step as a PhD student. However, you should share your thoughts and ideas with your PhD supervisor/s and get their input.

If possible, set up a meeting with your supervisor/s that is entirely dedicated to your PhD timeline. During this meeting, you can share what you created so far.

Then, you should discuss the following questions:

  • Is there anything missing in the PhD timeline?
  • Is the PhD timeline realistic?
  • Should anything be removed from the PhD timeline to prioritise other tasks?
  • Does the PhD timeline meet all the formal requirements to graduate within the designated amount of time?
  • Is there institutional support and sufficient financial resources for activities such as fieldwork, conference attendance, etcetera?

Make sure to take notes during the meeting, as you will need the answers to these questions to edit your provisional PhD timeline.

Not only will this discussion help you to finalise your PhD timeline. It will also help you to get clarity on your supervisor/s’ expectations!

You may also like: Planning your PhD research: A 3-year PhD timeline example

Following the input of your supervisor/s, your PhD timeline will reach a more final stage. Now it is time to think about designing your PhD timeline:

A well-designed PhD timeline is not just pretty for the eyes, but it makes it much easier to have a good overview of all plans and milestones ahead.

Yet, it would be wrong to argue that there is a one-size-fits all solution to designing a perfect PhD timeline.

Maybe you are a very visual person and would prefer your timeline to illustrate a broad overview of the upcoming years. Maybe you are encouraged by checking things off your to-do list. In that case, a more detailed PhD timeline with many different tasks and milestones may be more suitable for you.

A common way to design PhD timelines is via Gantt charts. If you want to learn more about Gantt charts for your PhD timeline, check out my post on how to design Gantt charts in Microsoft Excel, Power Point and Word.

example phd gantt chart

A PhD timeline is there to keep you on track and to showcase the milestones that you reached in your journey so far. However, while it is good to have a solid plan, the future is impossible to predict.

Your PhD timeline should be a living document or chart. Update it regularly!

For instance, a conference may be cancelled. You may have a period of sick leave. An experiment may not work out as planned. Or writing a paper takes longer than expected.

Successful PhD students remain flexible and don’t panic as soon as something does not work out as planned.

So, use your PhD timeline to regularly reflect on your progress and your current situation. Update your PhD timeline when needed, to prioritise tasks and set more concrete and achievable goals for the upcoming months.

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Dissertation Gantt Chart | A Complete Guide

Table of contents.

  • What Does a Dissertation Gantt Chart Represent? 
  •  Key Elements Include in Dissertation Gantt Chart
  • How to Make a Gantt Chart for Your Dissertation? 

Dissertation Gantt Chart Templates?

Designing a custom gantt chart for your dissertation.

  • Why Is a Gantt Chart for a Dissertation Important? 

Benefits of Using Gantt Chart in Dissertation

Dissertation Gantt Chart

Author : Vipul Jain

  • Dissertation

Key Takeaways

  • A dissertation Gantt chart represents the schedule for a dissertation project, adding their start and end dates, any dependencies between them, and the tasks. Gantt chart helps you" Manage your time, Anticipate delays, Understand workflows and establish realistic time frames".
  • Key Elements Include in Dissertation Gantt Chart such as" Tasks, Milestone, Dependencies, Critical Path, Timeline, Work breakdown structure, and resources".
  • Some tips that help you make a Gantt Chart for your dissertation include" Determine Dependencies, Determine the Major Phases, Divide Phases into Tasks, Create the timetable, and Add key points".
  • Dissertation Gantt Chart templates are a great way to simplify the process. It helps students plan and manage their dissertation projects by completing tough tasks on time. Here are typical sources for the Gantt chart PhD template like " MS Excel Templates and Google Sheets Templates".
  • Gantt chart for a dissertation is important because Gantt chart helps you "Plan your time, Visualize your progress, Identify potential delays, Collaborate with others, Communicate with stakeholders".
  • Gantt Chart is beneficial for dissertations for many reasons such as" Project tracking, Task dependencies, Resource management, Collaboration, Time management and assigning tasks".

What Does a Dissertation Gantt Chart Represent? 

A guide to writing the dissertation , Gannt Chart the plays a vital role. it's a visual way to track our dissertation progress on time. 

  • Organize Time: A dissertation Gantt chart example is a visual presentation of a project's timeline. It is usually used in research projects to plan, track, and manage the many parts and tasks of completing a dissertation writing. 
  • Establish realistic time frames:  It visually shows how much time is spent on each task and their order, or dependent tasks. The dissertation helpers can keep track of going and stay on plan more easily as a result of this. 
  • Timeline: A Gantt Chart is a bar chart that puts in order a dissertation project's schedule and tasks and shows a timeline of your project. It can be used in many industries such as" engineering, event planning, software development, and construction".
  • Organization: Best Online Dissertation Helpers use the Gantt Chart to complete the work on time. A dissertation helper can help you plan tasks, projects, and deadlines, allocate resources, and keep everyone on track. 

 Key Elements Include in Dissertation Gantt Chart

Dissertation Gantt Chart

Here are the following key elements we should include while writing a Dissertation Introduction to adding references in the last. So let’s know all the key elements of the Dissertation Gantt Chart.

Tasks or Activities: Each crucial stage of the dissertation process ought to be categorized as a task. Writing a Gantt chart dissertation proposal submission, a guide to writing the dissertation literature review , data collection and analysis, writing, revisions, and final submission are all examples of these. 

Timeline: The project's duration is shown on the timeline. It is frequently divided into weeks or months, depending on the project's length. 

Start and End Dates: Include specific start and end dates for each task. This ensures that the project stays on track and lets you see how long each task should take.  

Dependencies: Some tasks cannot begin until other tasks are finished. The chart should indicate these dependencies to complete the dissertation on time. Many Dissertation Writing Services in the UK are dependent on the Gantt chart dissertation.

Milestones: Milestones are important points in the project, like when a chapter is finished or a draft is submitted. They aid in progress monitoring and momentum preservation. 

Resources You may also include resources like software, data sources, or advisors that will be required to complete each task in some Gantt chart dissertation examples.

Gantt Chart includes references , so you should know how to write a dissertation conclusion and references .

Progress Tracking: There is a feature in some Gantt charts that lets you see how much of a task has been completed. Usually, this is shown by shading a portion of the taskbar. 

All the points are very beneficial to completing a dissertation, because lots of students in the UK, don’t know how to make a Gantt Chart dissertation, they need  Perfect Dissertation Help in London for a Research Project .

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How to Make a Gantt Chart for Your Dissertation? 

Using Excel or other project management software, you can manually create a Gantt chart for your dissertation. Many Assignment Helpers or UK-based experts make the Gantt Chart using Excel. So let's know a step-by-step guide to creating a PhD Gantt chart is provided below:

Determine Dependencies: Look for tasks that require other people to finish them. 

Determine the Major Phases: To begin, determine the major phases of your dissertation. Planning, literature review, methodology development, data collection, analysis, writing, and revision are typically included. 

Divide Phases into Tasks: Once the phases have been identified, divide them into smaller, easier-to-manage tasks. Tasks might include, for instance, identifying sources, reading and summarizing sources, and writing the review during the literature review phase. 

Create the timetable: Create a timetable for your dissertation project/task using Excel or another project management tool or software that you are comfortable using. 

Add key points - Mark important key points on the chart, such as when key chapters/ topics have been done or drafts have been submitted. Review Gantt chart examples to get a clearer idea of how to track your progress.

Dissertation Gantt Chart Templates are a great way to simplify the process, helping students complete difficult tasks on time, just like we write acknowledgements in dissertation .

 The following are typical sources for the Gantt chart PhD template:

MS Excel Templates-   MS Excel includes many user-friendly and customizable Gantt chart templates. You can easily create basic charts on MS Excel.

Google Sheets Templates: Google Sheets has templates that can be easily changed/ customizable and shared with anyone, just like Excel does. With Google Sheets, we have access to use it anywhere and on any device with an ID/ password.

Creating a Gantt Chart for a dissertation requires entering customer task names, durations, and start dates into an Excel spreadsheet and later using the built-in tools to insert a Gantt chart. Here are some points that help you how to design a custom Gantt chart for a dissertation

Determine Custom Objectives

It's important to determine custom objectives and what they want to achieve before diving into using the title. Having a clear understanding of custom aims will help you use the title effectively even if it's organizing a project, tracking progress, or managing tasks. 

Break Down the Project into Stages

Recognize the key points required in completing customer research like as data collection, data analysis, proposal writing, and literature review".

List Tasks Within Each Stage

Complete all the specific tasks that are required and delve deeper into each research stage and accurate list. Complete all the specific tasks that are required and delve deeper into each research stage and accurate list. The "literature review" stage might require tasks like recognizing relevant academic databases, summarizing key findings, and searching for articles, for example.

Estimate Task Durations

Estimate task duration for completing each individual task within custom research stages. Look at factors like the resources available and the complexity of the task. 

Recognize Task Dependencies

Pinpoint any dependencies and analyze the sequence of custom tasks. It can't start until the data collection stage is complete Make sure that you have the data analysis example. Plot these dependencies in a custom Gantt chart make sure a smooth and logical workflow.

Utilize Features

Effortlessly create custom Gantt charts that leverage the user-friendly interface. Estimated durations, tasks and input your research stages. 

Track Progress & Make Adjustments

Recognize any potential roadblocks that might arise and be prepared to adjust custom plans as needed.

Why Is a Gantt Chart for a Dissertation Important? 

There are many reasons why a dissertation Gantt chart for a thesis is important, but it provides a visual look and solves challenges easily while  writing a dissertation discussion section .

Time Management:-  The dissertation helps in efficient time planning and management. You can promise that you are reliably making progress toward completing your dissertation writing by making deadlines for each task of the dissertation. 

Vision Clarity:- The Gantt chart's graphic nature makes it easy to understand the timeline and task sheet for proper understanding. 

Task Arranging:- The chart supports task arranging by showing which tasks can be completed parallel and which are dependent on other tasks of the dissertation.

Improved Communication: A Gantt chart can help you communicate better with dissertation helpers. 

Boosted Organization By breaking down the difficult process of writing a dissertation into smaller, more handy tasks, a Gantt chart helps you stay prepared. 

Flexibility: A Gantt chart is not fixed. It is flexible to the change of your project. 

Reduction of Stress: Writing a dissertation can be stressful if you have a strategy in place. It confirms that you have enough time to review and recheck your work/project.

Any graduate student working on a research project will benefit greatly from having a dissertation Gantt chart for selecting the best dissertation topics to complete the dissertation. It helps you manage your time, keep track of your progress, and make sure you meet your deadlines by providing a clear visual representation of the timeline and tasks involved. Using a Gantt chart, you can break down the project into many steps and set realistic deadlines, which can help you finish your dissertation on time and with less stress. 

The most important thing is to make your Gantt chart work for you, whether you create it in Excel, use an online template, or use a more advanced project management tool. Adjust it as your research progresses to meet the specific requirements of your project. As a result, you

Frequently asked questions

What is the dissertation gantt chart.

A Dissertation Gantt Chart is your visual roadmap to complete your dissertation. It breaks down the project into many parts like literature review, data collection, and writing chapters/topics. Each part has tasks with deadlines shown on a timeline, so always make the Gantt Chart before Writing a Dissertation.

How do I Create a Custom Gantt Chart?

To create a custom Gantt chart: Collect data: Arrange tasks, start/end dates, and durations of the single task which should be done in that time only. , Selecting a tool: Use Excel, Google Sheets, project management software tools, or any online tools with which you are comfortable and easy to use. , Customize: Change colors, and labels, and add details like key points and needs. , Refine: Confirm clarity and accuracy, and it should be easy to understand.

How to arrange a dissertation Gantt chart?

These tips helps you how to arrange a dissertation Gantt chart such as" Understand your timeline, Create task lists, Consider dependencies, Break down your dissertaion, Set deadlines, assign resources and visualize your chart".

What are the key points of a Gantt chart?

Here are some key points of a Gantt chart such as" Tasks, Timeline, Dependencies, Milestones, Critical Path, Progress and Resources allocation".

What are the 5 components of the Gantt Chart?

5 Components of a Gantt Chart are Task list, Timeline Duration, Dependencies and Resources allocation.

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Planning the timeline and progress of your doctoral dissertation (or Masters/undergraduate thesis)

One of my PhD students lamented this week with me that she had a lot to juggle (taking children to and from schools and to and from activities, etc.) and that she needed a strategy to make her research move forward. I had been planning to write this blog post for a while, since this is the one question I get asked the most by doctoral students (“ how do I plan my unstructured time over the summer ” being the other one).

Do you have one like this but for dissertations? From how to pick your topic to how to plan your chapters or something similar? 🙂 — Mariana Miguélez (@Scherezadda) March 27, 2018

I had to rush to get this blog post done because my student is 2 years away from the deadline her university has imposed for her thesis defence, which is why I sat down with her last night to show her how I do things. I have two other PhD students at exactly the same stage (2 years to defense) so I figured I might as well finish this blog post.

While I’ve suggested that people read one (or more) of the books that I’ve digested myself (check my Writing a Doctoral Dissertation page), one of the main things I teach my students is how to apply backcasting techniques to develop a project plan . I was trained as a project manager, and I worked in that capacity for a number of years, so I understand exactly the kind of work that needs to be done to develop good project plans.

There are a few resources for students, which I mentioned on Twitter earlier today (October 5th, 2018), many of which are listed in the thread that will appear if you click anywhere on the tweet shown below. Thanks to everyone who responded to my query, though I think many of them were professors describing their own process, which is not the same as having a doctoral dissertation (ONE GOAL) to finish in X number of years. My students are doing theirs in the 3 papers’ model, which is a bit closer to the day-to-day life of a professor, but still, the trajectory is quite different. Anyhow, here are some recommendations (click on the tweet to expand the entire thread).

Everyone: one of my PhD students today asked me how to plan her day/week/month/time table. Can you tweet me your process before I tweet/thread mine? Thanks! (I'm off to dinner because I've already written 460 words). — Dr Raul Pacheco-Vega (@raulpacheco) October 3, 2018

The core planning strategy I would thus recommend doctoral, masters and undergraduate students is to engage in a combination of Gantt Chart Design and project backcasting techniques .

The Gantt chart is a technique I learned in graduate school when I took project management courses. This is a hypothetical Gantt chart for my doctoral student, covering about 15 months.

Gantt

What I suggested to her was to use backcasting techniques to plan backwards from her goal (PhD thesis defense) to intermediate goals. This post explains how I backcast a project https://t.co/wAmyejeoa0 since her dissertation is a 3-papers one, I suggested she uses that model. — Dr Raul Pacheco-Vega (@raulpacheco) October 5, 2018

For Gantt Chart templates, you can see Dr. Emma Sheppard’s here.

Project planning for research students https://t.co/ku7shfB5uL excellent template by @DrESheppard which may be of interest to students from undergrad, Masters and PhD levels. pic.twitter.com/ujQVlYocH7 — Dr Raul Pacheco-Vega (@raulpacheco) September 3, 2018

Here is another resource that you can use to create Gantt Charts.

To do Gantt charts you can use Excel or Microsoft Project (which is how I learned to do them), or Visio (which has been bought by the evil company and is now Microsoft Visio). I liked this detailed approach that uses connectors between milestones and tasks https://t.co/xVjNmM1q7c — Dr Raul Pacheco-Vega (@raulpacheco) October 5, 2018

Hugh Kearns and Maria Gardiner have lots of resources on their site, and have published books on this as well.

I just realised @ithinkwell and @ithinkwellHugh have excellent FREE templates on their website https://t.co/Q859jNiM6Q for PhD students to plan their trajectories, etc. #PhDChat (thanks, Maria and Hugh!) — Dr Raul Pacheco-Vega (@raulpacheco) October 5, 2018

Dr. Patrick Dunleavy’s book “ Authoring a PhD ” is incredible and really does help students who are planning their PhD process. I recommend it to my own doctoral students.

And of course I would be remiss if I forgot to recommend Dr. Ellie Mackin Roberts (my coauthor for a forthcoming book on research planning) and her website. Ellie has A TON of downloadable printables for you to plan your own research. She is fantastic.

Both for doctoral students AND for post-PhD folks, my coauthor Dr. @EllieMackin has an entire website for research planning https://t.co/unXMqmaf2Z she offers FREE downloadable printable templates that you can use to plan your own research. — Dr Raul Pacheco-Vega (@raulpacheco) October 5, 2018

In the end, the process I recommended to my students and that I do myself is – set a target defense date and then work backwards and plan tasks, activities, and intermediate goals. For example, I have asked my students to plan submission dates for their 3 papers (to be sent to journals) and then schedule fieldwork and data analysis accordingly. This process has worked well, and I hope my description of the process will help my students and others!

In a subsequent blog post I’ll describe how to go from long-term goals (submit paper X by Y date) to daily tasks. That blog post will definitely apply to doctoral students and post-PhD folks.

If you liked this blog post, you may also be interested in my Resources for Graduate Students page, and on my reading notes of books I’ve read on how to do a doctoral degree.

You can share this blog post on the following social networks by clicking on their icon.

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PhD Planning Gantt Chart Excel Template

For the cost of a single coffee, gain access to my Gantt chart template, designed to help you to stay on top of your PhD commitments and be more effective when organising your projects!

This simple yet dynamic excel template can be used to map out your remaining PhD duration, predict your time commitments when applying for candidacy or plan out a large-scale research project.

Though it was designed with postgraduate students in mind, it is also suitable for undergraduate students and post-PhD researchers who want to easily create interactive Gantt charts.

Get this template as part of our PhD Saver Bundle and save 15%!

Description

This excel template is an easy way to create a Gantt chart that tracks your progress towards meeting core deadlines. You can enter both planned and actual dates for individual tasks and the template will create two views of the Gantt chart that you can easily toggle between to compare your progress with what you had planned. You can also input your percentage completion for each task, so that on the "Actual" view of the chart, it'll show you how far through you are with each item.

The document includes both an overall Gantt chart for the entire PhD and charts for each PhD aim. Then you can break each main task down into smaller, more actionable items to view your aims in more detail. Breaking each larger task and aim into seperate charts will help prevent overwhelm and help keep you on track both at a more detailed level and from a bird's-eye view of your project.

Instructions on how to update and format your chart date axis in line with your inputted project deadlines are also included.

How It Works

The excel file will be available for immediate download on the Order Confirmation page. You will also be sent an email shortly after purchase containing a link to the file. This link will expire 24 hours after purchase, but if you click an expired link you will automatically be sent a new working link to the same email address.

Important To Note

This template is for personal use only. You cannot resell this template, or slightly modify and then resell. Due to the nature of digital products, I cannot accept refunds. No physical product will be sent to you. If you have any concerns or queries, please contact me at [email protected].

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Are Gantt charts useful for PhD students?

2018 Oct 23 | Soft Skills | 0

In a project management for researcher workshop which I attended at the beginning of my second year of PhD studies, we were taught how to make Gantt charts.

To give a short answer to the question I asked, “are Gantt charts useful for PhD students?”, I’d like to say: yes and no.

Yes—it can be, but there are some drawbacks which one should know about before naïvely thinking (like I did) that it was the most brilliant thing ever and that I was really going to plan out my full PhD with it .

Actually, after the workshop I never took the time to work more and adjust my original Gantt chart. From time to time I was looking back at it and getting the “haha, nothing is working as planned” feeling…

So, before we go on, let’s explain what a Gantt chart is:

https://www.gantt.com/ “A Gantt chart, commonly used in project management, is one of the most popular and useful ways of showing activities (tasks or events) displayed against time . On the left of the chart is a list of the activities and along the top is a suitable time scale. Each activity is represented by a bar; the position and length of the bar reflect the start date, duration and end date of the activity. This allows you to see at a glance: What the various activities are When each activity begins and ends How long each activity is scheduled to last Where activities overlap with other activities, and by how much The start and end date of the whole project”

and it looks like this (taking my own simplified Gantt chart as an example)

example phd gantt chart

How to make a Gantt chart concretely?

First, it needs a list of all the project’s main tasks, and to estimate for each one how long it will take . Then clarify the dependency between tasks, i.e. when task 1 has to be finished before task 2 can start, but tasks 3 and 4 can be carried in parallel. Identify milestones such as: task 1 is to develop a robust protocol and this protocol needs to be fully validated with my committee before starting experiment x.

Then to actually draw the chart, you could look for a software specialized for that, there are many and they are likely to make things more complex than you need. Or you could do it in Excel like I did for the example above, or even start on paper :)

What are the advantages?

It’s a highly visual tool . Like you see in the example above, in one chart we can draw the main steps of a whole PhD, from day one all the way to the defense . In particular, it nicely displays the dependency between tasks .

Like mentioned, it helps define technical milestones, like validating the methodology, and it can also be used to schedule and visualize other important milestones such as committee meetings . This might sound scary for a student who’s already feeling overwhelmed by academia, but I do think that actually visualizing these milestones helps demystify them and getting ready for them. What do you do to feel ready for a talk? You prepare for it, you plan for it.

One maybe unexpected pro of Gantt charts is that it helps to plan for weekends and holidays . For example, in biology, if you work with living samples you may not be able to perform experiments the week after you came back from holidays. Putting all this on paper in such a visual way will definitely help plan experiments and stay more realistic. One may also find it useful to show to a pushy supervisor who tends to forget how long experiments take…

Another good thing to know is that Gantt charts are well perceived in grant applications or any kind of project proposals as it allows to draw a project layout, especially if one includes possible alternative scenarios. Thus, learning to create such charts early can only be a good thing.

What are the drawbacks?

Over-planning and lack of flexibility.

If you take a long-time scale, like 4 years of PhD studies, you should be really careful not to detail too much, don’t over-plan. Because as we know, academic research is highly unpredictable and things are unlikely to work as planned.

If one invest a lot of time and energy in creating a detailed Gantt chart, then one is not gonna be willing to adjust this chart when things didn’t work out as planned. Therefore, on such a long time scale, I would suggest not to include any task which is shorter than 3 months, and to keep in mind that it is going to change many times until the PhD defense . Committee meetings or any other important meetings are great opportunities to re-discuss plans and adjust such PhD’s Gantt chart .

Especially if you’re still early in your PhD studies or if your project(s) relies on many uncertainties . Don’t put in your Gantt chart, like I did, “one year from now I will start writing a paper about project x”, because, in the meantime, we prioritized another more promising project. But because I wrote it in my Gantt chart and I never got to complete this task, it still feels like a failure. Obviously “scheduling” such a task while being in the early phase of a new project and without discussing it with my supervisor was not a very smart thing to do . A more useful thing to put in my Gantt chart would have been, “start sketching a paper draft”, not saying on which subject, or simply “take time to seriously evaluate the situation and re-discuss priorities.”

However, if one takes a short period, like 2 months, and a clear objective, then a detailed Gantt chart can be really helpful . When does such a situation happen? For example, for paper revisions , for the final months of your thesis, or any situation with a clearly define deadline, a short-term goal. What is the objective and what needs to be done to reach it? Write everything down, clarify and estimate . Then take your calendar and draw on paper: if I start this experiment that day, then I’ll get the result by …; I can start this thing in parallel, but only when this first thing will be done then I can start this other thing … oh and there is this important meeting here, so I won’t be able to do x that week; oh and there is this 3 day weekend we scheduled with my family meaning I will need to ask my colleague A (for awesome) to take care of my Drosophila … etc. Got it? :)

But you still need to be careful there as well, stay realistic, don’t plan more than 60% or 80% of your time, clarify what you need to have versus the nice to have , and always stay open to adjust plans as time goes. Importantly: schedule time to slow down , to analyze results, to re-discuss things with your supervisor, to make sure you’re still on track, and to adjust the Gantt chart.

In conclusion: Are Gantt charts useful for PhD students? Yes, it’s a great project management tool to learn, and if used properly it can give both a sense of where one is on the whole PhD process, and a sense of how everything which needs to be done in the coming weeks is going to fit together.

Hope it helps you and thanks for reading! :) I now published a follow-up article of this one with more details on how to create a timeline of your PhD with a Gantt chart. In this article you can even download for free my Excel file to get you started with Gantt charts !

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example phd gantt chart

The Research Whisperer

Just like the thesis whisperer – but with more money, how to make a simple gantt chart.

In every grant application, I want to see a simple visual guide (a Gantt chart ) that shows what you are planning to do. It is the perfect time to plan your project clearly. It shows the assessors that you have thought about your research in detail and, if it is done well, it can serve as a great, convincing overview of the project.

Clearly, these charts are hard to do. If they were easy, more people would do them, right?

Here are five steps to create a simple guide to your research project.

1. List your activities

Make a list of everything that you plan to do in the project. Take your methodology and turn it into a step-by-step plan. Have you said that you will interview 50 people? Write it on your list.  Are you performing statistical analysis on your sample?  Write it down.

A list of research tasks: have a meeting, do desk audit looking at three key elements (code, plain language and machine readable) plus maybe a fourth element - icons, do some testing and write a report.

Check it against your budget. Everything listed in the budget should also be listed on your uber-list? Have you asked for a Thingatron? Note down that you will need to buy it, install it, commission it… What about travel? Write down each trip separately.

2. Estimate the time required

For each item on your list, estimate how long it will take you to do that thing. How long are you going to be in the field? How long will it take to employ a research assistant? Realistically, how many interviews can you do in a day? When will people be available?

Initial meeting: about 3 weeks to find a time. Desk audit: 4 months. Draft key elements: about 1 week each. Testing: about 1 week each, but can start organising as soon as first element is drafted. Write up: 2 months. Final report: no time, really – just need to find a time to meet.

Generally, I use weeks to estimate time. Anything that takes less than a week I round off to a week. Small tasks like that will generally disappear from the list when we consolidate (see Step 4). Then I group things together into months for the actual plan.

3. Put activities in order

What is the first thing that you are going to do?  What will you do next? What will you do after that?

In the comments, Adrian Masters provided some great questions to help with this stage: What do I need to do by when? What do I need from others & when? How do I check that I am still on track?

One by one, put everything in order. Make a note of any dependencies; that is, situations where you can’t do one thing until another is started or finished. If the research assistant is going to do all the interviews, then the interviews can’t start until the research assistant is hired.

Where possible, you should eliminate as many as possible dependencies. For example, if you can’t find a decent research assistant, you will do the fieldwork yourself (but that might mean that work will be delayed until you finish teaching). It isn’t a necessary step to getting your time-line in order, but it is good project management practice.

In the comments, Amy Lamborg pointed out that you might want to work backwards . If you have a fixed end date, you might want to “…build back towards the project start date, then jiggle everything until it fits !” If you want an example of this, have a look at the post “ Work backwards “. It is about writing an application, but the principle of starting with the fixed end date and working backwards still applies.

4. Chunk it up

Now that you have an ordered list, and you know how long everything will take, you need to reduce the list without losing any specificity. At the same time, if you are combining tasks, you might want to add a bit of time as a contingency measure.

Meet with partners: 3 weeks. Review data protection regimes: 4 months. Draft three key elements: 3 months. Test three key elements: 3 months, with some overlap. Analyse test results and report: 3 months.

How you divide up your time depends on your project. If it is only one year long, you might list items by month. If your project is three years long, then you might list items by quarter. If you are planning over five years, you might break it down to six-month periods.

5. Draw me a picture

If you use project management software to manage your project, and you are comfortable with it, then use it to produce a summary of your project, too.

Most project management software (e.g. like Microsoft Project) will allow you to group activities into summary items. Chunk your tasks into major headings, then change the time interval to your months, quarters, half-years, or whatever you have chosen to use.

Or you can just draw it up with word-processing software (which is what I always do), spreadsheet software, or even hand-draw it.

Example of a Gantt chart

Frankly, I don’t care – as long as it ends up in your application!

Also in the ‘simple grant’ series:

  • How to write a simple research methods section .
  • How to make a simple research budget .

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62 comments.

This is useful. I’m writing my first SERIOUS research proposal for my PhD. Obviously not something I’ve ever done before so all advice is greedily welcome.

My best advice – write something quickly and then get someone else to look at it. I’m a big fan of quick iterations to get started.

Your readers might be interested in Tom’s Planner ( http://www.tomsplanner.com ). It’s a very easy tool to help you create a schedule or project plan (and there is a free version). On our blog we have a bunch of guest blogs about planning your thesis or dissertation with a template and example to help you get started.

The free version is a farce you cannot print, export or do anything but view it online. So don’t waste time with this product it is not a real proof of concept.

Sometimes, when the chunks are too big, you end up failing to understand what’s in those chunks, then your estimate ends up WAY off when you realize the extra work you didn’t consider might go into a give task.

That looks like a useful technique for getting the right information together for a Gantt. I’d be interested in any techniques for step 5. It’s something I’ve done recently as part of my first year PhD report and I wrote about how I produced my Gantt chart here: http://phdtools.blogspot.com/2011/08/creating-gantt-charts.html

I can’t imagine many people use MS project to manage their entire PhD (I could be wrong?) therefore it seems a bit excessive to use it just for a Gantt chart. Equally I find Excel plots look a bit naff and it’s difficult to show linkages between items.

“I’m not looking for a tool to perform PERT or CPM or do resource levelling for me.”

Absolutely! I just want to plug in my info and get a simple image out. How hard is that?

I’m not a big fan of big-iron project management tools either. More time seems to go into managing the information than getting actual work done.

I do think that most group projects that are going to last twelve months or more could do with a simple project management tool, though. I’m a bit of a fan of Basecamp , even if it doesn’t draw Gantt charts.

Of course, everybody has to understand the tool and want to use it, which is a different matter.

Thanks for the post.

I’m currently trying my hand at project management software, but I seem to find it easier to simply write down stuff in a piece of paper before committing it to electronic format. Anybody else has the same issue?

Absolutely, Carlos. As someone who has managed a big project that included spending a lot of time wrangling MS Project, I’m a big fan of just scribbling it down on paper and then mocking it up in MS Word.

[…] How do you create a Gantt chart?  The best advice we have seen is at the useful Research Whisperer blog, where they list 5 steps to creating your very own Gantt Chart in the post ‘How to make a simple Gantt chart’.  […]

Excellent introduction to project planning. I’ve seen recent examples of project managers jumping into MS Project without this level of thinking, with predictable results.

Questions that should help (and which you would need to answer anyway when asked by seeking funding or approval) include: What do I need to do by when? What do I need from others & when? How do I check that I am still on track?

Build those answers into the simple paper approach above, and you’ll have covered the critical project basics (activities, resources, dependencies, scheduling, milestones and checkpoints)

Like Liked by 1 person

Thanks, Adrian.

I liked your questions so much, I added them into the original post. 🙂

An Excel bar chart is pretty much all you need to create a Gantt chart. Unless of course you intend to explore resourcing and costs.

Your info really helped me by doing my D.T ( Design Technology) homework. Thank You 🙂 Eirene Masri From Jordan, Amman

Thanks for your comment. It made me smile. 🙂

I haven’t been to Jordan for a very long time, but I had a great time when I was there.

[…] that you are going to do?  What will you do next? What will you do after that? In the comments, Adrian Masters provided some great questions to help with this […]

Thanks for this particular piece of ‘whisper’… I was in a dire need of a ‘quickie’ method to make a simple Gantt Chart. 😀

Cheers, Yan London

No worries, Yan. Happy to help.

[…] Jonathan. “How to make a simple Gantt Chart” The Research Whisperer. 13 September […]

I have just gone through.Iam also planning to undertake a phd programme and would want to recieve guild as i make progress using gantt Chart

Reblogged this on Queer Fear: Alternative Gothic Literary and Visual Cultures and commented: Stumbled across this useful piece on the use of Gantt charts in research projects. I realise this may seem rather common knowledge to scientists but as a Arts and Humanities-based person I found it gave useful insights for new researchers.

Thanks, Hanoconnor.

I suspect that there are plenty of science people who don’t get any formal training in this, either.

good job. very helpful

[…] Read More At: https://theresearchwhisperer.wordpress.com/2011/09/13/gantt-chart/ […]

This is my first time using a Gantt chart in research paper.. hmm. thanks for the info. 🙂

Gantt charts are really useful. Thanks for posting this information about gantt charts. This is a very informative post and very helpful, too.

Thanks Jonathan. I have just completed my first Gantt chart for my Doctorate in Health. I was beginning to get a bit jumpy about some of the very involved instructions I had found previously so your ‘idiots guide’ was really helpful.

No worries, Ade.

Happy to help. Good luck with your doctorate.

I have been using a Gantt chart to plan and track my doctorate since I began last year. It’s just an Excel spreadsheet but suits my purposes, very simple. One thing I’ve found useful us to mark all the highlighted cells bright blue initially, for ‘future action’. Each week, I update that week’s column to green (completed) or red (overdue). This gives me good feedback not only about where I need to change the priorities on my current ‘to do’ list, but is a very satisfying display of how much I’ve already done.

I love Excel, postgradpanda. I reckon that seeing the blue change to green would be very satisfying.

Thanks for this.

[…] https://theresearchwhisperer.wordpress.com/2011/09/13/gantt-chart/ […]

Thanks for this. It helped me alot for doing our work schedule in research for short allotted time.

Ohh Thank God Jonathan for that!! you have no idea how much you saved my life.. I was having a real hard time planning my first ever research proposal Loved it alot.. Looking forward for much guidance along the path!!!

Sruti… (From a far far away land.. INDIA)!! 🙂

Thanks, Sruti

Happy to help.

Sruti was right. It’s very helpful to me as well. Saves me a lot of trouble. Keep it up Jonathan.

No worries, Paul

Are you a commercial representative for Ganttic, or did you link to them because you like them? Just wondering.

[…] published a short article about doing research in academia. Some of their articles are mundane (How to make a simple Gantt chart), whereas others are more esoteric (Hashing it over) and heartfelt (Academic […]

[…] out your timeline and your budget. Working up a Gantt chart for your project will force you to think about how long different phases of the project will take. This is important […]

list any six elements that go into the format of a research report?

Hi abukamara

I don’t have a set list. It depends who your audience is, and what sort of report you are writing.

I’m usually helping people to write grant applications, where the format is set by the funding agency. They make it pretty simple, really – they generally tell you exactly what they want.

[…] logframe analysis is well worth reading, while the Research Whisperer explains how to make a simple Gantt chart. And Mind Tools overviews a range of project scheduling tools as does this from MIT. Over at […]

[…] take you three or maybe three-and-a-half years. However, PhDs in my area rarely follow the sort of gantt chart anybody approving funding, ethics clearance or candidature milestones might approve. A tangent I […]

[…] How to make a simple Gantt chart – Jonathan O’Donnell. […]

Jonathan, i suppose that you should try more intuitive service) My experience in project management tells me there are a lot of comlicated tools such as MS Project. After years of searching and trying (Wrike, Liquid Planner, Smartsheet) i start using GanttPRO, especially because of its simplicity and high visibility. So try GanttPRO to facilitate workflow.

[…] O’Donnell, J 2011, How to make a simple Gantt chart, The Research Whisperer, weblog, 13 September, viewed 23 April 2017, < https://theresearchwhisperer.wordpress.com/2011/09/13/gantt-chart/&gt ;. […]

[…] research design is important. Following the steps outlined in O’Donnell’s (2011) blog How to make a simple Gantt Chart, I constructed this graph and a risk matrix to ensure that my time was used efficiently. […]

[…] Other tips on Gantt charts, including how to make one manually: https://theresearchwhisperer.wordpress.com/2011/09/13/gantt-chart […]

Thanks Jonathan! I am a grant writer, and your post is a great reminder that I should probably make a timeline visually appealing, like your hand-made Gantt. I’m going to do it!

I wanted to point out that for a grant funded project (which often has a specified end date by which the money must be spent), I often find myself making a timeline backwards. That is, I start creating the timeline from the specified end date, and then ask myself the questions that Adrian Masters posed: What do I need to do by when? What do I need from others & when? I build back towards the project start date, then jiggle everything until it fits!

BTW, did you know that in your text descriptions of the example timeline, the time is in weeks, but in your Gantt chart the time is in months? I have a feeling that you really meant for these to match….

Like Liked by 2 people

Thanks, Amy

This article has been viewed over 150,000 times, and you are the first person to point out the weeks / months issue. I’ve fixed it now (although it is a bit of a bodge).

I agree with the backwards process, so much so that I wrote a post about it: Work backwards . It is about the grant writing process, but the principle is the same.

This particular instance was one of those rare times when I truly didn’t have an end date, and could work out the actual time the project would take (surprise – it took longer).

I’ve added a bit into the post about working backwards. Thanks for that.

Proofreading touchdown? You just made my day! Thanks for this, and for Research Whisperer in general. I am probably not really your intended audience, but I get a lot of value from all the posts. You-all do good work!

[…] Research Whisperer. (2016). How to Make a Simple Gannt Chart.[online] Available at: https://theresearchwhisperer.wordpress.com/2011/09/13/gantt-chart/ [Accessed 14 Mar. […]

[…] O’Donnell, J 2011, ‘How to make a simple Gantt chart’, The Research Whisperer, 13 September, viewed 13 April 2018, < https://theresearchwhisperer.wordpress.com/2011/09/13/gantt-chart/&gt ;. […]

[…] you know how to make a simple Gantt […]

[…] How to make a simple Gantt chart: This article provides steps on making a Gantt chart (generally, not specific for PhD). […]

[…] “How to Make a Simple Gantt Chart,” by Jonathan O’Donnell on The Research Whisperer […]

[…] analysis of all their blog search terms. His analysis  showed lots of people were looking for how to make a simple Gantt Chart. Jonathan’s excellent analysis left me wondering: what do readers think is ‘high value […]

If your university has the Microsoft suite of programs Viso (I think it is called) is easy to learn the basic functions to make a Gantt and the nice thing is that when you change a date the program moves the bars for you so fewer errors 🙂 winning.

Thanks, Wendy. Good advice.

[…] complex, messy, and not as linear as suggested by the timeline of activities we outline in project Gantt charts. During my doctorate, there were twists and turns as I made decisions around which literature to […]

[…] webinars should I register for? What about grants? Reading groups? Mentoring? How exactly does a research GANTT chart work (or does it)? How can I get research and writing done without sacrificing my entire summer on […]

[…] my various projects. This method was originally inspired by two academic Gantt chart enthusiasts (one, two). However, I found that the traditional way of setting up a gantt chart (with the projects on […]

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Dissertation Gantt Charts Templates

Organize Your Dissertation Tasks Properly with Template.net’s Free Printable Dissertation Gantt Chart Templates. Choose from Professional Document Samples Online that Come with Premade Project Tasks, Details, Bars, Start and End Dates, Length of the Week, and Quarterly Goals that You can Edit to Your Proper Specifications.

  • Dissertation Gantt Chart Template in Excel

Dissertation Project Gantt Chart Template

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Dissertation Timeline Gantt Chart Template

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Dissertation Proposal Gantt Chart Template

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Dissertation Timeline Template

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Sample Dissertation Gantt Chart Template

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Dissertation Research Gantt Chart Template

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Dissertation Gantt Chart Template

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Dissertation Plan Gantt Chart Template

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Example Dissertation Gantt Chart Template

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Free Dissertation Gantt Chart Template, Printable, Download

Whether for project or postgraduate education degrees, get professionally-written dissertation Gantt charts from Template.net’s free printable Gantt chart templates. Choose from fillable template examples for research proposals, PhD research, dissertation timelines, and project management that come with original content and simple outlines that are easily editable using our document editor tool. All template samples are downloadable for free and printable on any compatible printing devices.

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Customize dissertation Gantt chart examples online to your specifications including the plan and timeline by replacing or editing the pre-written content to your own requirements. Choose your Gantt chart template to help your dissertation as a PhD student for a master thesis university requirement, a construction project, marketing plan, or geography dissertation requirement. All templates are downloadable for free using PDF file format.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who uses a dissertation gantt chart.

In most cases, the users of dissertation gantt charts are postgraduate and masters students. However, there are also professionals and companies that utilize such a document, especially for their project management or research activities. 

What details that I should include in my dissertation Gantt chart?

1. Company or student complete name 2. Company or student address 3. Dissertation project or thesis title  4. Deliverables or activities 5. Timeline 6. Remarks  

What are the advantages of utilizing a dissertation Gantt chart?

1. Provides better communication among team members 2. Provides clarity of the goals and objectives 3. Guides users to the right timeline of the deliverables  

Who is the inventor of the Gantt chart?

Henry Laurence Gantt invented the gantt chart, and it is considered one of the innovative techniques in project management during the 1920s. 

How do you prepare a dissertation?

1. Create a dissertation gantt chart 2. Set your goals and objectives 3. Research your assigned topic 4. Brainstorm with team members 5. Present your dissertation   

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What Is a Gantt Chart & How To Create One?

example phd gantt chart

Gantt charts can be complex, but learning the ropes is easy. Let’s explore the different types of Gantt charts, the benefits, and how to create one.

example phd gantt chart

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A Gantt chart is a project management tool that offers marketers a visual timeline of projects. It allows them to see timelines and track progress over time. This lets managers set priorities and responsibilities to make sure a project goes smoothly from start to finish. 

Gantt charts can be complex, but learning the ropes is easy. Let’s explore the different types of Gantt charts, the benefits, and how to create one from scratch.

A brief history of Gantt charts

Gantt charts have existed in some form for almost 130 years. Karol Adamiecki, a Polish engineer, designed a pioneering version of the tool in 1896, naming it the ‘harmonogram’.

By 1910, Henry Gantt had independently created his own version of the Gantt chart in the United States. Initially, he designed it to track factory workers’ time on different tasks. 

The modern Gantt chart is a combination of Gantt and Adamiecki’s designs. Today, we’ll use the chart for project management purposes rather than tracking factory workers. Let’s look at the modern-day Gantt chart and how it works.

What are the key components of a Gantt chart?

Fundamentally, a Gantt chart tracks progress in a project against time.

example phd gantt chart

On the vertical axis, you can see all the project tasks that need to be completed. The dates for each task are displayed along the horizontal bar. 

That’s the basic concept, but Gantt charts have several additional features that make them an excellent project management solution. Let’s break down the different components.

Every Gantt chart contains a basic list of every task that needs to be completed for a project to be successful. For instance, there might be tasks to “design a landing page,” “write 5 blog posts,” or “send out emails to stakeholders.”

Every Gantt chart will also contain dates and times on the horizontal axis. This makes it easy to see when a specific task ends and another begins.

You’ll also notice that each task has a ‘progress bar’ of varying length. This indicates the duration of the task — the longer the bar, the more time and resources are allocated to that particular task.

As you progress through the project, you’ll typically set minor or major milestones that signify significant achievements. For instance, a major milestone in website design could be building the homepage and navigation bar.

Critical path

This is the longest path (in time) from the start of the project to the finish. Determining the critical path is essential as it tells you how long your project will take to complete at a minimum.

Per cent complete

Many Gantt charts also include progress estimation as a percentage, which is helpful for tracking teams’ progress in real-time.

Dependencies

Tasks are almost always dependent on one another. For instance, there’s little use uploading blogs until you’ve designed your site. As such, most Gantt charts state which tasks must be completed before another can begin.

A successful Gantt chart specifies the resources required to complete a specific task, such as team members, raw materials, and equipment. 

These components offer a comprehensive view of a project’s duration, progress, and scope.

Why is a Gantt chart useful?

Gantt Charts are helpful in various contexts. Here are five use cases to consider. 

  • Managing entire projects: A Gantt chart helps leaders break down complex projects into simple, manageable tasks that are easier to track and visualise. 
  • Keeping track of delays: How often does a project complete on time? Gantt charts allow project managers to monitor setbacks and ensure one task doesn’t begin until another is complete. 
  • Monitoring progress: Gantt charts offer project managers a high-level view of project progress, making it easier to adapt schedules as required. 
  • Team collaboration: Using a Gantt chart helps get all team members on the same page. Everyone can see their assigned tasks at a glance.
  • Business decision-making: A Gantt chart makes it easier to identify bottlenecks and problems early, allowing project managers to make better decisions about resource allocation.

How to create a Gantt chart?

Let’s dive into how to create your own Gantt chart. We’ll start by outlining the core steps. Then, we’ll show you how to make a chart using Excel, PowerPoint, Google Docs, and Google Sheets.

Step 1: Define the scope

First, you need to understand the scope of your project. When will it start, and when will it finish? Your start date should be straightforward. Sometimes, your finish date might need refining as you begin adding your project tasks. You can return to update your project timeline as you progress through the following steps.

Step 2: Add your tasks

Next, begin adding your tasks. Remember to specify a start date so the tasks are visualised well on your graph. Also, define an end date so your team has a concrete deadline in mind. 

Expert tip: Before you set task durations, it’s a good idea to talk with your team to understand how long a specific project will take. This aligns expectations and ensures you don’t underestimate the time a task will take to complete, leading to unexpected delays.

Step 3: Identify task dependencies

As you create your tasks, consider any dependencies — tasks that need to be completed before other tasks can begin. For example, you can’t upload a blog until your writer creates that blog, and you can’t write the blog until you’ve performed keyword research.

Defining dependencies will help you set accurate start and finish times for tasks. It will also align your team on the schedule to improve efficiency and reduce errors.

Step 4: Create project milestones

Setting milestones isn’t always necessary, but they can be useful for goal setting and keeping the project on track. They will act as checkpoints that you can use to define project phases and motivate your team. 

Milestones are different for every business and vary in scope. For example, you might set a milestone when a website is complete, or several blogs are designed. You could also set milestones week-by-week as a mid-phase check-in. It all depends on your priorities and the breadth of your project.

Step 5: Refine and adapt

Gantt charts are rarely static. Plans might change, so it’s important to review and refine your project management tool as you go. If a deadline becomes unachievable, consider how you can update your overall project scope to reflect this. 

Being agile and open to change will manage everyone’s expectations and keep your project timeline from being overwhelming or unrealistic.

How to create a project Gantt chart in Excel?

Unless you’re using specialist software, the standard way to create a Gantt chart for free is in Excel. The software’s natural grid lends itself to this kind of chart. Here’s how it could look:

example phd gantt chart

Start by listing all of your tasks in a table. Also, define the start dates, end dates, and duration. From there, highlight the table, click Insert, and select a Stacked Bar Chart. You can then adapt and format the data on this table to meet your business’s requirements.

How to create a Gantt chart in PowerPoint?

As with Excel, PowerPoint does not have a specific Gantt chart feature. That said, the platform’s Stacked Bar feature is a viable alternative.

example phd gantt chart

Go to the Insert tab and click Chart . Then, select the Bar category from the All Charts list. Finally, select Stacked Bar .

From here, you can edit the table with your own data, such as the project list, start date, end date, and duration. You can also easily move the taskbars to adjust their length by your project plan.

How to create a Gantt chart in Google Sheets?

The Google Sheets chart is easy to make but offers less customisation, so we recommend it only if you’re just starting and want something easy.

example phd gantt chart

As with Excel, you can create a table with your data. Then, insert a Stacked Bar chart and edit it to your preferences.

Creating a Gantt chart with Salesforce

Creating a Gantt chart in Excel is possible, but that doesn’t make it efficient. With the Salesforce AppExchange , you can browse through several innovative apps that make creating professional Gantt charts from scratch easier.

  Mission Control will help you plan, design and manage every aspect of your project management Gantt chart. Simply enter all essential data and let the app do the rest. Mission Control will make every aspect of your project management on Salesforce easier. Try the app for free for 14 days today.

Gantt chart examples in different industries

To show you how Gantt charts can be adapted for different sectors, here are five industries and how they can utilise this tool to improve their organisational efficiency.

Construction Gantt chart

Construction projects are closely controlled, with many tight deadlines and individual responsibilities. When building a house, for instance, installing HVAC equipment is of little use until the electrics are installed, and the electrics can’t be installed until the foundation is complete. 

As such, Gantt charts are vital for construction scheduling and project planning. Here’s an example that shows all the steps involved in applying for permits, conducting feasibility studies, hiring crew, preparing for construction, and beginning the final project.

example phd gantt chart

Software development Gantt chart

Gantt charts are commonplace within agile project management frameworks in software development. They help with sprint planning and organising coding, testing, bug fixing and deployment into clear time blocks.

Coding is filled with tight deadlines and upcoming release schedules. The Gantt chart helps every software developer stay on top of their daily tasks and work efficiently. In the example below, the project manager also allows time for quarterly meetings and stakeholder discussions.

example phd gantt chart

Marketing Gantt chart

Gantt charts are helpful tools for marketing campaign planning. Marketers can also use them for content calendars, product launches, and scheduling serial blogs or social media posts. 

This example shows how ClickUp has used a Gantt chart to schedule several marketing campaigns. Some campaigns are seasonal, meaning they fall later in the chart. Others, like the “Be You” campaign, depend on previous campaigns, so they must be implemented later.

example phd gantt chart

Manufacturing Gantt chart

Production scheduling is a huge undertaking in the manufacturing industry. Even the smallest deviation can greatly impact profit margins. Simple Gantt charts ensure that product development follows a clear timeline. This also helps with material tracking and inventory management. 

In the Gantt chart template below, you’ll notice how the manufacturing Gantt chart typically follows a much more linear structure from development to post-production, owing to the sequential nature of product roadmaps.

example phd gantt chart

Healthcare Gantt chart

Gantt charts are helpful for everything from broad clinical trials and treatment phases to individual patient care planning. They are particularly useful when scheduling long-term treatment plans, where providing the correct dosage at the right time is essential. 

Below is a unique example of how a Gantt chart can implement electronic health records (EHR) in a healthcare business.

example phd gantt chart

Gantt Chart example marketing an eCommerce business

Let’s create one for our new imaginary eCommerce business to show you how a basic Gantt chart might look in practice. We’re starting from scratch here — all we have is a product. The next step is to develop our marketing campaign. 

Let’s create a Gantt chart following the steps above to show you how the process looks.

Defining the scope for our Gantt chart

First, we need to define the scope. We aim to build our website and drum up interest for our product online. After assessing our budget, we’ve determined we have around six months to achieve this goal. We also know several key phases need to take shape for us to reach that objective:

  • Website development.
  • Product photography.
  • Content creation.
  • Pre-launch marketing.

We now know that our Gantt chart will span six months. We also have five key phases to help us launch, market, and sell our products to a large audience. Let’s move on to the next step.

Adding our tasks to our Gantt chart

Next, we need to break down all of our phases into tasks. What needs to take place for each stage of our project to be successful? We should also liaise with our team to determine how long each task will take (task duration). Here’s what we came up with:

Now we’re getting somewhere. In addition, you should consider all of the project resources required for each of these steps. Which team members will complete each task? What tools and equipment do you require? The more detailed you can be, the easier it will be to align your organisation with the project.

Establish our dependencies

We now have our list of tasks, but we must consider dependencies before constructing our chart. Here are some key considerations.

  • The website development phase should begin immediately. That’s the number one priority.
  • We can start product photography immediately but can’t upload any images to our website until we’ve created our product pages. 
  • We can’t create a buyer persona until we learn more about our target customers, so content creation will have to wait. 
  • There’s little use in starting a pre-launch marketing strategy if we have no website to direct customers to. 
  • We’d like some content on our website before posting on social media. 

Establishing dependencies helps us piece together the puzzle. By completing this process thoroughly, we can build a timeline that will be the foundation of our chart.

Building our chart

With all of the information ready, we can now use our chosen tool to create a Gantt chart for our business. We’ll need to include all essential details, like.

  • Task details.
  • Start-to-finish dates.
  • Task progress bars.
  • Milestones for key phases.
  • Resources for each section.
  • Dependencies.

And that’s all there is to it. We’ve now created a functional Gantt chart for our imaginary marketing business. All that’s left is to track progress and refine over time. Delays are likely to happen, but as long as we adjust our project, we can keep our team aligned and everyone moving toward our goal.

Gantt chart troubleshooting and common pitfalls

Finally, let’s discuss some common problems you might encounter when you design and customise your Gantt charts. We’ll also provide some solutions for each.

1. Scope creep

Problem: As your project grows in size and scale, there’s a tendency for additional tasks to crop up that you hadn’t considered initially. This can make it more difficult for your team to stay on time and on budget. 

Solution: The best way to handle scope creep is before it happens. Ensure your list of tasks and dependencies is comprehensive, and outline your goals before it starts. The more you prepare, the less likely you will encounter unexpected surprises. If scope creep does occur, review and adjust your Gantt chart tool and communicate with your team to redefine expectations.

2. Resource constraints

Problem: Managing resources is almost always a talking point when undertaking a large project. If you run out of available team members or money, this can cause delays. 

Solution: Include a resource management and allocation plan for your Gantt chart. This will let you set expectations with stakeholders early. If resources are limited from the outset, you might need to stagger your chart and extend the project timeline to avoid spreading your staff and equipment too thin.

3. Task dependency not accurately identified

Problem: Dependencies are essential for your project’s success. For example, if a team member writes copy for a homepage before the website is built, this can cause serious delays if the content doesn’t align with the design. 

Solution: The best course here is to be thorough when setting up your chart. We also recommend implementing short buffer periods between essential tasks to leave enough room for potential delays.

4. Lack of maintenance

Problem: Gantt charts aren’t static. Neglecting them and allowing deadlines to pass without updating your chart will lead to outdated information, costly delays, and confusion among your team. 

Solution: Review and update your Gantt chart regularly during your working week. If you aren’t available, assign someone else to track progress. Where possible, you should also choose Gantt chart software that provides notifications when a deadline approaches or is missed.

Gantt charts organise and streamline projects, allowing you to meet deadlines and align your entire team on common goals. They’re one of the most effective ways to get things done, regardless of your industry. 

Ready to start making your own Gantt chart to streamline your next project? Use the examples above as a starting point and follow the steps in this guide. Then, choose your preferred Gantt tool and start building. 

With the Salesforce AppExchange , you can integrate an outstanding Gantt chart app directly into the Salesforce platform. Whether you’re creating a marketing campaign or starting a new construction project, our platform will give you real-time updates and intuitive Gantt tracking features under one roof. Explore our Gantt chart solutions today to see what Salesforce can do for your next project.  Boost your efficiency today: Take control of urgent appointments with Agentforce for Dispatchers . Manage delays, cancellations, and more on a single screen.

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IMAGES

  1. How to Create and Use a Gantt Chart for PhD Studies

    example phd gantt chart

  2. PhD Planning Gantt Chart Excel Template

    example phd gantt chart

  3. gantt chart for phd research

    example phd gantt chart

  4. My PhD journey in a Gantt chart incl. Open Science practices · Open Science

    example phd gantt chart

  5. 5 Types of GANTT Charts for PhD

    example phd gantt chart

  6. gantt chart for phd research

    example phd gantt chart

VIDEO

  1. Gantt Chart AI demo

  2. How to write a research Proposal

  3. 8.6 Gantt charts (DECISION 1

  4. Dynamic Gantt Chart in Excel with Project Dashboard and Calculation of Start and Finish dates

  5. Professional Gantt chart software you should know

  6. What is a Gantt Chart?

COMMENTS

  1. A PhD timeline for finishing quickly [Free Gantt Download]

    Example Gantt chart for a UK, European and Australian PhD. For Ph.D. programs outside the United States, especially in Europe and some other parts of the world, students often go straight into research without the need for coursework. Here are some common steps for such programs:

  2. Creating awesome Gantt charts for your PhD timeline

    Manually creating a PhD timeline Gantt chart in PowerPoint is a bit easier than in Excel. Therefore, I will explain the process here. First, you need to open a blank PowerPoint slide. Then click on Insert (1.), then Chart (2.). A popup will appear.

  3. How to Create and Use a Gantt Chart for PhD Studies

    Steps involved in creating a Gantt chart for PhD studies. Step 1: List all the deliverables expected of your PhD program. In this example, the PhD program has the following requirements: Coursework, divided into 4 modules each lasting 2 weeks. All 4 modules need to be completed within the first year of study.

  4. Planning your PhD research: A 3-year PhD timeline example

    Example: Planning year 3 of a 3-year PhD; Example of a 3 year PhD Gantt chart timeline; Final reflection; Elements to include in a 3-year PhD timeline. Every successful PhD project begins with a proper plan. Even if there is a high chance that not everything will work out as planned. Having a well-established timeline will keep your work on track.

  5. Guidelines to draw a timeline of your PhD

    Guidelines for how to make & use the timeline throughout your PhD. 1. Example & download: I draw below an example for the institute where I did my PhD: the Institute of Biology at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland. Therefore, it is designed for a 4-year PhD program with annual committee meetings and for students who spend a lot of time ...

  6. 5 Types of GANTT Charts for PhD

    The image of 36 months GANTT chart plan for a PhD. PhD GANTT chart for research . Research has been such a crucial parameter in PhD. Every research starts with sample collection and ends with data collection. The stepwise process of PhD research included many other important steps. One trait of research is 'uncertainty'.

  7. My PhD journey in a Gantt chart incl. Open Science practices

    Plan and monitor your PhD with a Gantt chart and include all of your activities in implementing Open Science practices to ensure efficiency and societal impact of your research work and efforts. This Gantt chart provides you with an example and template plan for your Ph.D. from thesis proposal writing to the thesis defense. Start with planning ...

  8. How to plan your PhD using a Gantt Chart

    Hi! This is my first ever video and I talk about one of my favourite planning tools: The Gantt Chart! This is an introductory video and I made this as an aid...

  9. How to develop an awesome PhD timeline step-by-step

    Example of a Gantt chart PhD timeline. Step 4: Regularly update your PhD timeline . A PhD timeline is there to keep you on track and to showcase the milestones that you reached in your journey so far. However, while it is good to have a solid plan, the future is impossible to predict.

  10. Gantt Chart for Dissertation: Templates, Examples & Benefits

    Here are typical sources for the Gantt chart PhD template like " MS Excel Templates and Google Sheets Templates". ... Organize Time: A dissertation Gantt chart example is a visual presentation of a project's timeline. It is usually used in research projects to plan, track, and manage the many parts and tasks of completing a dissertation writing

  11. Set up Your PhD Timelines and Milestones

    How to Propose/Report PhD Research progress with Gantt Charts! #GanttChart #PhDProductivity #PhDTips (long title)MANAGE PHD PROJECTS WITH GANTT CHARTS | In t...

  12. Planning the timeline and progress of your doctoral dissertation (or

    The Gantt chart is a technique I learned in graduate school when I took project management courses. This is a hypothetical Gantt chart for my doctoral student, covering about 15 months. What I suggested to her was to use backcasting techniques to plan backwards from her goal (PhD thesis defense) to intermediate goals.

  13. How to use a Gantt chart for PhD studies

    Do you use a Gantt chart for your PhD studies? If not, watch this video to learn why you should create one and how to use it for effective management of your...

  14. PhD Planning Gantt Chart Excel Template

    One thing that almost everyone needs to do during their PhD is create a Gantt chart. Often this is to form part of a PhD completion plan to track your overall progress and plan out your remaining time. Other times, it's for projecting your time commitments when applying for candidacy or for planning out a large-scale research project.

  15. Project Management resource for PhD students and supervisors

    For example, to visualize a complete PhD timeline I would recommend Gantt charts. To make this timeline, using WBS and SMART goals will help break down the project into smaller achievable tasks . Then to implement work and to track the progress throughout the project, one could use the Agile principles and use a shared Kanban board .

  16. PhD Planning Gantt Chart Excel Template

    Get this template as part of our PhD Saver Bundle and save 15%! This excel template is an easy way to create a Gantt chart that tracks your progress towards meeting core deadlines. You can enter both planned and actual dates for individual tasks and the template will create two views of the Gantt chart that you can easily toggle between to ...

  17. Are Gantt charts useful for PhD students?

    Like you see in the example above, in one chart we can draw the main steps of a whole PhD, from day one all the way to the defense. In particular, it nicely displays the dependency between tasks . Like mentioned, it helps define technical milestones, like validating the methodology, and it can also be used to schedule and visualize other ...

  18. How to make a simple Gantt chart

    Example of a Gantt chart. Frankly, I don't care - as long as it ends up in your application! Also in the 'simple grant' series: ... Visualizing and Tracking PhD Tasks and Progress with a Gantt Chart - An Academic Planner says: 3 March 2019 at 2:50 am […] How to make a simple Gantt chart: This article provides steps on making a Gantt ...

  19. How I Planned my PhD

    My 4 Year Plan for my PhD in a GANTT Chart - Computer Science PhD StudentHey Everyone! I am sharing with you how I have planned my entire PhD using a GANTT c...

  20. FREE Dissertation Gantt Charts Templates

    Customize dissertation Gantt chart examples online to your specifications including the plan and timeline by replacing or editing the pre-written content to your own requirements. Choose your Gantt chart template to help your dissertation as a PhD student for a master thesis university requirement, a construction project, marketing plan, or ...

  21. What Is a Gantt Chart & How To Create One?

    Below is a unique example of how a Gantt chart can implement electronic health records (EHR) in a healthcare business. Image source: SlideTeam Gantt Chart example marketing an eCommerce business. Let's create one for our new imaginary eCommerce business to show you how a basic Gantt chart might look in practice. We're starting from scratch ...