Gantt Chart vs. Timeline: How to Distinguish Them Without Being a Super Expert

Your awareness about a Gantt chart and a timeline might be limited: you probably know that they are used in very similar ways but are slightly different.

That is true, but what are the principal differences between these two essential project management tools?

The battle “Gantt chart vs. timeline” will not reveal the absolute winner, but it will demonstrate essential differences between these approaches and clarify many controversial aspects.

We have recently analyzed the Gantt chart vs. roadmap, and the Gantt chart vs. Kanban and these pairs have much more apparent differences than the case of a diagram and a timeline comparison.

However, let’s not lose our grip and start the detailed analysis.

So, Timeline vs. Gantt Chart: what should we know about them?

Gantt chart definition

What is a Gantt chart?

A Gantt chart is a horizontal bar diagram used to represent a project plan over time visually. It typically shows a timeline, status, and who’s responsible for each task in the project.

The diagram enables you to capture at a glance:

• How a project breaks down into tasks.
• How long every single task takes.
• When each task begins and ends.
• How these tasks depend on each other.
• Who is responsible for each task.
• When approvals and deadlines need to happen.
• How work is progressing.

What are the roots of the diagram?

In the late 1800s, the Polish Karol Adamiecki developed a visual workflow chart called a “harmonogram.”

In 1910, the American Henry Gantt took that concept to the next stage. His diagram was aimed to help manufacturing supervisors see whether their work was on or behind schedule. It formed the foundation of the tool we use today.

A Gantt chart displays a timeline across two axes:

• The horizontal axis visualizes the schedule.
• The vertical axis showcases all tasks and subtasks.

What is the purpose of a Gantt chart?

A Gantt diagram helps project teams to change the progress of tasks to track that everything runs on schedule. If they use robust project planning software, they can easily build and manage these charts.

The additional functionality of such tools helps to bring the managing process to an entirely new level.

What is the example of a Gantt chart?

A Gantt chart is widely used in different professional areas. You may find outstanding Gantt chart examples in software development, business planning, event planning, marketing, construction, healthcare, education, retail, and more industries.

What is the example of a Gantt chart tool?

A Gantt chart is one of the most demanded features modern project management software solutions offers.

An online Gantt diagram tool is used for:

• Creating and managing projects.
• Defining task dependencies.
• Tracking project progress.
• Sharing projects with stakeholders.

GanttPRO is a powerful Gantt chart tool that offers advanced features for ease planning, scheduling, and managing projects. The platform can be applied for different projects in various businesses, from IT projects to managing events.

Here is the list of the prior features that GanttPRO proposes:

• Professional planning and scheduling.
• Task management.
• Drag and drop functionality.
• File sharing.
• Notifications and deadlines.
• Time tracking.
• Risk management.
• Reporting.
• Friendly templates.
• Importing/exporting.

By the way, the platform is often used for building a digital timeline.

Now is the time to move on and describe the second part of the “Gantt chart vs. timeline” comparison pair.

Timeline definition

What is a timeline?

A timeline is the presentation of a chronological sequence of events along a simple line that allows a quick understanding of temporal relationships. It demonstrates when a project will start and when it will be completed before reaching the deadline.

Timelines illustrate the passage of large blocks of time. They can look different depending on their purposes.

A timeline can be horizontal, vertical, chronological (historical), or take the form of a linear graph, roadmap, or a Gantt chart.

However, a timeline is slightly different from a Gantt diagram, as it commonly doesn’t contain horizontal and vertical columns. It simply demonstrates the way you need to follow.

A timeline provides a high-level overview of your project’s start and end. A Gantt system allows controlling project progress and delegating responsibilities for tasks.

Also, read about the power of online project management timeline software https://blog.ganttpro.com/en/best-project-management-timeline-tools/

What is the example of a timeline?

You can apply a project timeline for various purposes. Here are some typical timeline examples:

• Project implementation plan.
• Marketing plan.
• Daily schedule timeline.
• Year overview timeline.
• Event planning timeline.
• Sales plan.
• Educational plan.

By the way, many colleges and universities teach how to work with timelines from scratch.

Here’s how the University of Miami uses a project timeline that they share with their students:

What is the example of a timeline maker?

Lucidchart is an excellent example of a timeline maker. It offers robust project management and planning features. Its users can utilize timelines in business and present ideas to coworkers in a consistent manner.

Besides timelines, the platform offers data visualization in diagrams, flowcharts, and mind maps.

Here’s the list of its essential features:

• Data visualization with timelines, diagrams, flowcharts, and mind maps.
• Collaboration.
• Drag & drop.
• Access controls/permissions.
• Database design.
• Alerts and notifications.
• Data import and export.
• Integrations.
• Process documentation.

Now is the time to compare both PM tools face to face.

Gantt chart versus timeline: key differences

A Gantt diagram and a simple project timeline are used in very similar ways but are slightly different. We apply them to describe the sequence of events that will take place in our projects.

The table below helps to understand their core differences better.

Final thoughts

A timeline and a Gantt chart are fantastic tools. The decision on which approach to use depends on what you want to visualize with it.

Use a timeline to show a brief overview of your project. Build a Gantt chart to create a complex project plan. They both will lead you to success.

Keep reading the full article: Gantt Chart vs Timeline: Which Tool Will Turn Your Project to Win? https://blog.ganttpro.com/en/gantt-chart-vs-timeline/.