1. ECE 480 Gantt Charts Revisited

2. Keys to Successful Gantt Charts USE the default, finish-to-start, constraints obtained by specifying predecessors, unless you KNOW you need to do something else!!! USE the default, finish-to-start, constraints obtained by specifying predecessors, unless you KNOW you need to do something else!!! DON’T put REPORTING tasks in the dependency chain, unless they are REALLY in the chain DON’T put REPORTING tasks in the dependency chain, unless they are REALLY in the chain –If boss stops work unless approves report… –If delaying report submission delays the completion of the project!

3. Keys, cont. Don’t block your critical path by making the last task scheduled be independent of other tasks – you get NOTHING. Last task determines end of critical path, which works backwards from there. Don’t block your critical path by making the last task scheduled be independent of other tasks – you get NOTHING. Last task determines end of critical path, which works backwards from there. TEST your critical path – EVERY task that must be accomplished to avoid delaying successful project completion should appear in a dependency chain that leads to final demo of your project. That’s NOT interim reports and presentations! You can ALWAYS report progress: e.g., “There was none.” That’s a progress report. TEST your critical path – EVERY task that must be accomplished to avoid delaying successful project completion should appear in a dependency chain that leads to final demo of your project. That’s NOT interim reports and presentations! You can ALWAYS report progress: e.g., “There was none.” That’s a progress report.

4. Keys, cont. Use “Tracking Gantt” mode to see critical path and task completion/partial completion Use “Tracking Gantt” mode to see critical path and task completion/partial completion Track (record) completion of tasks regularly, show your facilitator Track (record) completion of tasks regularly, show your facilitator Make sure your (operating) plan shows completion by the due date (last Thursday of semester, or earlier) Make sure your (operating) plan shows completion by the due date (last Thursday of semester, or earlier)