Gantt chart
A Gantt chart is a horizontal bar chart that visualizes a project schedule, with tasks on the Y-axis and time on the X-axis, including dependencies and milestones.
In depth
Gantt charts were popularized by Henry Gantt in the 1910s as a project-management visualization. Each row is a task with a start and end date; bars represent duration; arrows between bars show dependencies. Critical path analysis highlights the sequence of tasks that determines the project's earliest finish date.
Modern Gantt tools blend traditional timelines with Kanban-style status, resource leveling, and dependency calculation. For SaaS launches and engineering roadmaps, a simplified Gantt with milestones and dependencies is usually enough.
OpenCharts supports Gantt-style timelines via the AI Calendar Builder and a structured Gantt template family in the gallery.
Also known as
Want to put this concept to work in OpenCharts?
Build a Gantt timelineRelated terms
Kanban board
A Kanban board is a visual workflow tool that organizes tasks into columns representing stages of work, used to manage flow, limit work-in-progress, and surface bottlenecks.
Process map
A process map is a visual representation of a workflow that documents the sequence of steps, decision points, and handoffs needed to complete a business outcome.
Swimlane diagram
A swimlane diagram is a flowchart that organizes activities into horizontal or vertical lanes, with each lane representing a different actor, role, or department responsible for those activities.