Basic Gantt chart template
Create clear project schedules with a simple Gantt chart. Download the free PowerPoint template and customize tasks and milestones fast.
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The simplest way to outline a clear project schedule and direct it towards completion is by using a Gantt chart. Displaying activities (tasks or events) against a certain timeframe for projects of all sizes, a Gantt chart effectively shows what work needs to be done and when.
To help you better grasp and apply the concept of Gantt charts, we’ve gathered here a few useful resources, including a free downloadable Gantt chart template and tips on how to easily create such a graphic.
Why use the basic Gantt chart template?
This simple Gantt chart template was designed to allow users to effectively plan and communicate projects at a high level. Featuring a clear, easy-to understand format, it will help you present project data to clients and executives, or any audience for that matter.
First devised in the late 1890s and manually drawn to show a project schedule, Gantts have changed over time. Today’s typical Gantts are created with project management software, and they can become complex visuals including detailed information such as:
- Baseline comparisons;
- Slip schedules;
- Earned value;
- Budget cost for work performance calculations.
Despite the value that such level of detail can bring to project managers, heavy and complicated Gantt charts can be ineffective for non-project people like clients, executives and other stakeholders. If you aim to present data-rich plans efficiently, the best Gantt chart template you can use is one that conveys the main points in a straightforward manner.
Our basic Gantt chart template was created to meet this need as it ensures a high-level summary view of a project, thus easily communicating the big picture and overall progress of its planned activities.
Furthermore, being made with the popular and familiar PowerPoint platform, this and all our other Gantt chart templates are easy to download, edit and share. Teams can easily collaborate on this presentation-ready Gantt chart PowerPoint template, and stakeholders can easily read, share or include the slide in their presentations.
How to update the basic Gantt chart template
The basic Gantt chart template was created to work natively with the Lucen Timeline Gantt tool for PowerPoint. Using its free 14-day trial, you can automatically create and update Gantts, as well as integrate with project management software like Microsoft Project and others. Therefore, you can quickly import your existing data and instantly have it transformed into a beautiful PowerPoint Gantt chart sample that can be revised as quickly as your stakeholders need updates.
Frequently asked questions
A Gantt chart is a visual project planning tool that displays tasks along a timeline. It shows what needs to be done, when each task starts and ends, and how long it will take. By combining activities and dates in a single view, a Gantt chart provides a clear snapshot of the entire project schedule.
While the layout may vary depending on the project, a clear and effective Gantt chart should include:
- list of tasks and milestones;
- task descriptions;
- start date;
- end date;
- task duration;
- percent complete;
- task owner(s).
These elements ensure the chart supports both planning and progress tracking.
A Gantt chart has two main axes:
- The vertical axis lists the project tasks.
- The horizontal axis represents the timeline.
Each task is shown as a horizontal bar. The position of the bar indicates the start date, its length shows the duration, and its endpoint marks the finish date. This layout makes it easy to see task order, overlaps, and overall progress at a glance.
A Gantt chart connects project tasks with a timeline in one visual. It is widely used for planning, scheduling, and reporting because it:
- clarifies what needs to be done;
- shows deadlines and milestones;
- highlights overlaps and dependencies;
- provides a high-level project overview.
It allows stakeholders to quickly understand the status and direction of a project.
To create a basic Gantt chart:
- List the main activities in your work breakdown structure.
- Sequence the activities logically.
- Assign resources to each task.
- Estimate start dates, end dates, and durations.
Once this information is defined, you can build the chart using a pre-built Gantt chart template, tools like Microsoft Project or Excel, or dedicated Gantt chart software.
To build a simple Gantt chart in Microsoft Excel:
- Create a table with these columns:
- Start Date
- End Date
- Task Description
- Duration (in days)
- Insert a Stacked Bar chart from the Insert menu.
- Use the Select Data option to add start dates, durations, and task names.
- Format the chart using Format Data Series to resemble a Gantt chart.
For more detailed guidance, refer to our complete Excel Gantt chart tutorial.
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