Scheduling software vs Gantt chart: what are the differences?
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Estelle
Content manager
February 15, 2022
5 min
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When it comes to project management, everyone has a say in the best way to get started. Faced with all the different software available (and their functionalities), it's easy to get lost. Among the many planning tools available, you have probably already heard of the Gantt chart, which is quite different from planning software such as Napta. But what are their differences?
The Gantt chart is very popular in companies for its shape and the global visibility it provides on a project. It is also a great way to highlight the provisional planning of the project and the dependence of tasks.
The Gantt chart defines each stage of the project with great precision. It provides a mapping of the progress of the project in several checkpoints. Each stage is composed of its deadline, the stakeholders of the project as well as the completion time associated with each stage of the project.
The Gantt chart is very often included in an Excel file, because each box has its own functionality. While the idea for its form is good, it should not be forgotten that this type of document tends to quickly become obsolete if it is not updated assiduously. It is advisable to create a template to start from a blank base for each new project. Otherwise, you may no longer find your way around and make mistakes!
The Gantt chart provides a granular overview of each stage of the project. It does not omit any details, in order to make sure that everyone knows:
During the project, it is possible to check the boxes associated with each stage and/or task, or to add markers (colors, tags, labels...), to notify progress. In this way, each team member can see what work has been done and what remains to be done.
The Gantt chart is a useful planning tool both for the manager/project manager, but also for the collaborators working on the latter. However, be careful: if you use a document such as an Excel file, you may be exposed to errors. Modifications, input errors, version conflicts... This can quickly make the document fake or out of date. It is recommended to only give visibility and change rights to people who are essential to the project, in order to limit errors.
If you use software specialized in the Gantt chart, it is possible to find more advanced ones. Some are chargeable according to the number of users. Others offer monthly plans depending on the features requested. A history of chart updates is available, listing everyone's actions.
The planning software is quite different. The latter does not have such a granular presentation of the current project. But unlike the Gantt chart, it gives a much wider visibility into ongoing projects within an organization.
The advantage of planning software is that it is plural and omnipotent in the tasks of employees. Its area of action is very broad, since your software takes into account logistical needs, resource allocations, resources, stakeholders, deadlines, availability of employees, etc. Its great advantage is that it takes into account many parameters, such as the occupancy rate of employees, to propose a project on which each member of the team will have time to carry out their mission.
It is possible to find an example of an Excel schedule template online. While these models are ideal for beginners, they can quickly reach their limits. We recommend that you prefer a professional software, designed to meet all your needs without the slightest error.
One planning tool juggle between different functionalities:
As mentioned above, a planning software allows you to better anticipate each project, to bring the right people together at the right time. You know who is available for each project in real time, the progress of the project, the funds generated and future, etc. The planning software simply offers a 360° vision of ongoing projects. It is a management tool global that makes it possible to give visibility on the progress of projects at all levels of the company, from the members of the project team to the management committee. It makes it possible to gather vital data for the implementation of HR actions but also to support the decision-making of managers.
If you are starting out in project planning, you have every chance of working with planning software. The latter offers a 360 vision of the company's activity. For its part, the Gantt chart is a provisional schedule for a single project above all.
However, these two tools need both to exploit their full potential. If you are embarking on a large-scale project, we recommend that you use a planning tool that increases your productivity and team coordination. If you think that functionalities are lacking, it is because you have not yet found the perfect provisional schedule.
At Napta, to help you set up efficient processes, we have deciphered and compared the 4 management tools of the most common schedules in business.
To find out more about the support offered by Napta on your problems of planning management, ask talk with an expert.
Do you want to go deeper into the subject? We have lots of resources at your disposal to help you go further.
In addition to this subject, find our white paper”The keys to an optimal staffing process”.
Also discover our guides, templates and checklists in the Resources tab.
See you soon at Napta!
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