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Why should I use Dependencies in Project Plan?

Posted by Marcus Shane on Monday, March 11, 2013 In : Gantt Chart Excel

Whether you are using Chart Gantt Excel or another project planning tool, it is critical that you use task dependencies, to improve reporting and delivery.

Planning a project with dependencies takes a little more time upfront than planning without dependencies, however the time investment will pay off significantly once you move into the deliver phase of your project.

So what are project dependencies?

Dependencies are effectively relationships between your project tasks. There are 4 primary typ...
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How to plan a project with a Gantt chart!

Posted by Marcus Shane on Thursday, February 7, 2013 In : project planning

Planning a project the first time can be daunting. Many first time project managers are unsure where to start. A Gantt Chart can provide a great starting point for visualising your project and managing it in a more effective manner.

One of the first things to do when planning your project is to consider the task hierarchy. A task hierarchy enables you to quickly and easily navigate through your project and understand an overview of the project at a higher level. A task heirarchy is simply p...

3 Tips on Creating a reporting engine for your Excel Gantt Chart

Posted by Marcus Shane on Thursday, January 24, 2013 In : Gantt Chart Excel

Many users start building their excel gantt charts using conditional formatting as shown on a range of videos on youtube etc.

One of the key issues with this approach is that they tend to use the gantt chart as both an input and a reporting engine. Ie. The user inputs tasks, resources and dates, and the system just outputs a project plan or gantt chart.

There are three primary reports that should be a key function of any gantt chart, whether created in excel or a proprietary planning package....
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Gantt Chart Excel Reporting

Posted by Marcus Shane on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 In : Gantt Chart Excel

Chart gantt is taking it's products to the next level with a range of Excel gantt chart templates with reporting. After initial discussions with our existing clients, we realise that reporting and navigation are key features that many clients are looking for.

A number of existing customers have built their own reporting engines onto their existing gantt charts (Chart Gantt Basic, Dependent, Effort and Cost, or Ulitmate).

Research has indicated that there are 3 primary Excel Gantt Chart reports...
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4 Steps to Successful Project Establishment

Posted by Marcus Shane on Thursday, January 3, 2013 In : project planning

Summary

Nearly all projects that go off the rails (over 80%) usually go off the rails in the early planning and team formation stages. This article explores 5 key tips for structuring your project correctly to give it the best chance of delivering advantageous outcomes.

Body

Whilst it's not possible to guarantee project attainment, there are a number of things you can do from the very start of your project that will promote your chances considerably.

Step 1 - Get Active - Expression is tough wor...

Chart Gantt Products Embedded in the Business Planning Toolbox

Posted by Marcus Shane on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 In : Business Planning HQ

Chart gantt products are now being used by Business Planning HQ in their main product, The Business Planning HQ toolkit, but also more recently as an additional discrete element of their Tool Box Product.

The founder of Business Planning HQ says, "We are pleased to see continued value and demand for the Chart Gantt products and services as an integrated element of the Business Planning Offering. For over a year now, our clients have benefited substantially from having an embedded gantt chart...
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Why Should I use Excel to create my next Gantt Chart?

Posted by Marcus Shane on Monday, June 4, 2012 In : Gantt Chart Excel

Organisations large and small are turning to the power and flexibility of Excel to better manage and control their project activity. Even a few short years ago, it would have been unthinkable that NASA would be using Excel Rather than structured an proprietary software such as Microsoft project in some areas. The power of excel is only now being realised by many. These powers relate to the flexibility offered. Users are able to leverage their existing knowledge of Excel and apply it to th...

4 Tips on Running Better Projects Using Chart Gantt

Posted by Marcus Shane on Sunday, June 3, 2012 In : project planning

Abstract

A must read article for all Business Owners interested in smoothly running great Projects. Once a company achieves a reasonable level of growth and size, projects become an inevitable part of running a business. Many business owners do run projects, but those that don't are usually focused on managing via the rear view mirror, rather than looking forward. There a some project owners that choose to establish and run projects on an annual basis. Whilst this may be effective for large...

Project Management Alternatives to Working With MS Project

Posted by Marcus Shane on Monday, January 16, 2012 In : project planning

NASA is now using MS Excel alternatively to MS Project in some divisions. Read on to comprehend more. MS Project has long been a harbinger in project management, however many project managers are now discovering that MS Project limits the flexibility and control they have over the planning process. Many project managers are confused by the way in which MS Project calculate efforts or as MS Project refers to it as work. The relationship between work and duration is somewhat confused in MS Pr...

Building a cash flow in Gantt Chart Format

Posted by Marcus Shane on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 In : Chart Gantt Build Your Own

We have had a number of requests from clients to enable the use of numbers where the gantt chart bars normally appear. This would enable sophisticating cost allocation decisions to be made effectively using a standard gantt chart tool.

We first started building this solution for Ele consulting in Alabama and after 2 days realised that it was a major undertaking. If anyone has built this functionality please let me know as I now realise to accurately handle daily, weekly and monthly views is s...
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