Business Tools

Gantt Chart Calculator

Calculate Gantt chart timeline and task dependencies. Estimate project duration with overlapping tasks and critical path.

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About this tool

Gantt charts show project tasks as horizontal bars across a timeline. Our Gantt Chart Calculator estimates project duration accounting for task dependencies, parallel work, and sequential activities.

Projects with all sequential tasks take longest. Parallel work (multiple tasks happening simultaneously) shortens project timeline. The calculator helps estimate realistic completion dates.

Usage examples

Sequential Project

All tasks must be done one after another

10 tasks × 5 days each = 50 days total (0% parallel)

Parallel Project

Half the work can happen simultaneously

10 tasks × 5 days, 50% parallel = 30 days total

How to use

  1. Enter "Number of Tasks" in your project.
  2. Add "Average Task Duration" in days.
  3. Enter "Parallel Tasks" percentage (0-100).
  4. Click "Calculate" to estimate total project duration.

Benefits

  • Calculate project duration
  • Account for parallel work
  • Estimate completion dates
  • Identify critical path
  • Optimize task scheduling
  • Improve project planning

FAQs

What is a Gantt chart?

A Gantt chart is a horizontal bar chart showing project tasks over time. Each bar represents a task, its length shows duration, and position shows start/end dates. Lines show dependencies between tasks. Invented by Henry Gantt in 1910s.

What is the critical path in project management?

The critical path is the longest sequence of dependent tasks that determines minimum project duration. Delays on critical path tasks delay the entire project. Non-critical tasks have "slack" - they can be delayed without affecting project completion.

How do I create a Gantt chart?

Steps: (1) List all tasks, (2) Estimate durations, (3) Identify dependencies, (4) Assign resources, (5) Plot tasks on timeline. Tools: Microsoft Project, Asana, Monday.com, TeamGantt, or Excel templates.

What is task dependency?

Task dependency means one task must finish before another starts. Types: Finish-to-Start (most common - B starts when A ends), Start-to-Start (B starts when A starts), Finish-to-Finish (B ends when A ends). Dependencies determine project sequencing.

How can I shorten my project timeline?

To compress schedule: add more resources (crash), work tasks in parallel instead of sequence (fast-track), reduce scope, negotiate earlier start dates, improve efficiency, remove bottlenecks, or accept higher risk/cost.

What percentage of projects finish on time?

Only 29% of projects finish on time according to PMI studies. Common delays: scope creep (38%), resource shortages (27%), poor planning (22%). Build in 15-25% buffer time and track progress weekly to improve on-time completion rates.

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