Chapter 3: Gantt chart

This chapter introduces a review of the Gantt chart method and its relevant supportive evidence. It also
explains the utilized Gantt chart used for the clients Feasibility study.

The Gantt chart was developed over a hundred years ago and popularized as a project management tool
to illustrate a project schedule by Henry Gantt ([ CITATION Eri13 \l 1033 ] cited from (Gcek, 2008)). Today
Gantt chart is a key element of the common language used in the project management society. The
Gantt chart method is extensively used to demonstrate projects schedules and actual progress of tasks
against time [ CITATION Suz04 \l 1033 ]. It is considered one of the most popular planning and controlling
methods used in projects. It was ranked the fourth most used tool out of 70 project management tools
in a survey done with 750 project managers as per [CITATION Joa12 \l 1033 ] cited from (Besner and
Hobbs, 2008).

[CITATION Joa12 \l 1033 ] Explains that among the most utilized project management tools there is no
tool that replace the Gantt chart and its use is increasing with time as per (Wilson, 2003). That is the
reason of making the Gantt chart used as an essential platform in the most popular project management
software such as MS project and Primavera.

The Gantt chart uses graphical presentation of work activities which is useful in communicating the
project schedule and creating a common perception of the progress or lack of progress of tasks, as it
provides comparison between the plan and the actual progress which enables the managers to identify
the issues that are hindering the progress and causing delays and focus the teams attention to the
critical tasks and bottlenecks in the project [CITATION Joa12 \l 1033 ].

The Gantt chart is simple and practical method that is useful in connecting the activities and durations of
the project. It is instrumented to improve the cognitive capability to cope with the structural
complexities and coordination of large number and diverse interdependent tasks as per [CITATION
Joa12 \l 1033 ] cited from (Geraldi et al., 2011).

The Gantt chart has fixed principles such as being time focused as tasks are coordinated through time
and deadlines, objective based as the work activities are analyzed in detail and divided into smaller
defined and specific tasks and sequential as the tasks are allocated in a specific sequence in which each
task depends on the completion of its previous task and critical path is identified [CITATION Joa12 \l 1033
].

The feasibility study of the clients project has a duration of six months (24 weeks) and it comprises three
main sequential phases. Phase one is identifying the functional requirements and it lasts for 6 weeks.
During this six weeks, Stakeholder analysis and mapping is going to be conducted during the first three
weeks followed by benchmarking study in the subsequent 3 weeks. Phase two is identifying the
structural requirements and it lasts for eleven weeks. It starts by conducting a SWOT analysis for two
weeks followed by PESTLE analysis in the next five weeks and eventually Porters 5 forces analysis for the
rest four weeks. Phase three is identifying the resources requirements and it lasts for six weeks. It starts
by Resources estimation process that takes two weeks followed by a Cost benefit analysis for the
following four weeks. The last week (the 24 th) is dedicated for compiling the final report and summarizing
the feasibility study findings and the available options and recommendations for the client.

Gantt chart of the feasibility study is included in the attached A3 report (Appendix No.1).