Generate Gantt Chart in Python

A step by step tutorial on how to create a simple Gantt Chart using matplotlib in python

Introduction: What is Gantt Chart

A Gantt chart, the most common method used in project management to visualize project schedule and status.
A Gantt chart is a type of bar chart showing activities (tasks or events) displayed against time.
The chart is named after its inventor, Henry Gantt, who designed such a chart around the early twentieth century.

In this article I will explain how to create a Gantt chart in python using matplotlib library.

Import Libraries

First step in programing a Gantt Chart is importing the required libraries:
1. Pandas : Reading data and data analytics
2. Matplotlib : Data visualization
3. Datetime : Date manipulation

import pandas as pd
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import datetime as dt

Reading the data

The inputs for preparing a basic Gantt chart are the start date and the end date of each task.
I have a simple schedule in the csv file simple_schedule.csv which contains details of four tasks which constitute the project.
The data can be accessed by using pandas package.