Gantt Chart vs. WBS: What is the Most Solid Foundation for Project Planning?
Graphical diagrams and visual hierarchical structures are essential tools in the world of project management. A Gantt chart and a WBS (Work Breakdown Structure) are good examples.
Any project manager should clearly distinguish these tools, understand their purposes and scope of use.
“Gantt chart vs. WBS” is the topic of this post. These terms are sometimes used interchangeably. However, they commonly relate to different management tools.
Now it is time to analyze critical differences between them.
What is a Gantt chart in project management?
A Gantt chart is a widely used graphical depiction of a project schedule. This bar chart shows the start/finish dates of a project’s elements such as resources, planning, and dependencies.
This system was designed more than a hundred years ago by Henry Gantt.
A Gantt diagram allows scheduling projects and their corresponding tasks while getting an overview of the entire project process.
A typical Gantt chart contains:
- A timeline.
- A bar — a visual representation of a project or a task.
- Task dependencies.
- Resources — people, equipment, or machines.
- Milestones to measure the project’s progress and show how it approaches the defined goals.
Moreover, using the diagram, you can see team members’ comments, time estimation for each activity, deadlines, activity overlaps, and more.
Here’s how a Gantt chart looks like:
What is the example of a Gantt chart?
Many PM specialists apply a Gantt diagram to visualize a work plan, track the progress, and monitor task implementation.
Among the famous Gantt chart examples, you can find the cases from project management, software development, marketing, construction, event planning, business planning, retail, and other spheres.
What Gantt chart tool should we use?
A powerful Gantt chart-based online platform will show how your project’s tasks progress, what your resources are engaged in, and specific start and end dates.
You can generate a bar chart even with Excel; however, you need a reliable PM system to make your planning effort more professional. GanttPRO is one of the best solutions in this field.
The tool allows creating a colorful Gantt chart for different types of projects and managing single or multiple projects within minutes.
GanttPRO comes with a great set of features: task planning and scheduling, deadlines, notifications, Gantt chart templates, drag & drop functionality, time tracking, file sharing, importing/exporting, and many more.
Now it’s time to know more details about a Work Breakdown Structure.
What is WBS in project management?
A WBS is a tree structure of different tasks and deliverables that need to be done to complete a project. Together with a Gantt system, they are probably the most common project management tools.
Work Breakdown Structure serves to divide complex projects to get things done faster and more efficiently. It leads to increased productivity and successful project management.
Why is WBS important?
WBS provides the following benefits:
- Provides clarity about the tasks to be performed.
- Increases efficiency.
- Provides each project participant with an overview of the current status.
- Boosts communication.
- Creates the basis for further planning.
What is the example of WBS?
The main idea of the Work Breakdown Structure is to demonstrate the hierarchy of projects and make progress clear to everyone involved.
By the way, a Gantt chart is also a WBS example. You can organize your WBS as a Gantt chart that links task dependencies and reflects milestones.
Here are some more WBS examples:
- WBS list.
- WBS spreadsheet.
- WBS flowchart.
With the help of the WBS, you can organize different events, such as a holiday trip.
What WBS tool should we use?
There are many WBS tools available in the market.
Creately is a reliable platform with a great set of features. It offers visually appealing and presentation-worthy diagrams for many purposes.
This WBS tool helps to visualize ideas, concepts, plans, and processes. It is appreciated by project managers, business owners, marketers, designers, engineers, business analysts, and many more specialists worldwide.
Creately offers robust features, including flowcharts, organizational charts, UI diagrams, wireframes, and other ways of visualization.
Here’s an example of a bridge construction project that can be generated with this WBS tool.
Gantt vs. WBS: main differences
Let’s take a look at some more critical differences between the two structures.
Many PM specialists choose a Gantt chart because of its vivid benefits:
- It visualizes a detailed schedule of tasks related to a project across two axes.
- It shows the tasks with their dependencies and project milestones.
- It is really good for schedule control.
- It can be helpful throughout the whole project.
- You can build it even with Excel.
And here’s why you can select a WBS:
- It is a detailed tree diagram with all parts connected and no redundancy.
- It is helpful at the start of a project (a Gantt chart assists throughout the whole project).
- It is used to define the scope, estimate costs, allocate resources and manage risks.
- You may visualize it with a Gantt chart, spreadsheet, flowchart, or a list.
Conclusion
A Gantt chart and WBS are powerful systems in project management. That’s why the battle “Gantt chart vs. WBS” is actual in many industries and professional spheres.
The Work Breakdown Structure is a skeleton of your future project plan. Therefore, many project management and planning tools contain the option to generate a Gantt chart within the WBS functionality.
Both tools allow project teams to be informed of the progress made. They accelerate productivity and team efficiency.
In case you want to get more outstanding facts about a Gantt chart in comparison with other popular tools, feel free to explore our latest articles:
Additionally, you can get more info about Gantt chart vs. WBS here: Gantt Chart vs. WBS: Choosing From Two Reliable Ways to Plan Your Project https://blog.ganttpro.com/en/gantt-chart-vs-work-breakdown-structure-wbs/.
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