Wolkite University, College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Construction Technology and Management
Course Title: Construction Planning and Scheduling
Chapter Two: Scheduling Techniques
2.5. Bar Chart (Gantt Chart)
Instructor: Samson Tesfaye
February 14th, 2020
Definition and Introduction
A bar chart is a graphical representation of project
activities that are shown in time-scaled bar lines
with no links shown between the bars (activities).
PMI (PMI, 2003) defines it as “a graphic display of
schedule-related information.
In the typical bar chart, work breakdown structure
components are listed down the left side of the
chart, dates are shown across the top, and activity
durations are shown as date-placed horizontal
bars.”
Cont…
The bar chart is originally developed by Henry
L. Gantt, in 1917 and is alternatively called a
Gantt chart.
It quickly became popular because of its ability
to graphically represent a project’s activities in
a clear, simple, and time-scaled manner.
Before a bar chart can be constructed for a
project, the project must be broken into smaller
each of which is called an activity or a task.
Cont…
The duration of each activity must be
estimated.
Bars are then drawn to show each activity:
the duration and the starting and ending
points.
As mentioned previously, links between
activities are not usually shown.
On a bar chart, the bar may not indicate continuous
work from the start of the activity until the end.
For example, the activity Getting a Building Permit may
be represented by a 2-month-long bar.
However, most of this time is a waiting period.
Likewise, a Concrete Foundation summary activity may
include several days of waiting for the concrete to cure.
Non-continuous (dashed) bars are sometimes used to
distinguish between real work (solid lines) and inactive
periods (gaps between solid lines).
Figure 1: Bar chart for placing a simple slab on a
grade
Figure 2: Alternative bar chart for placing a simple slab on a grade
placed in two parts
Figure 3: Bar chart for placing a simple slab on a grade, with
activities “necked” during non-work periods
Advantages of Bar Charts
Their simplicity and ease of preparation and
understanding.
No “theory” or complicated calculations are
involved.
Anyone can understand them.
They can be prepared anywhere with just a
pencil and paper.
Cont…
Unlike networks, bar charts are time-scaled; that
is, the length of a bar representing a certain
activity is proportional to the duration of that
activity.
Just by looking at the chart, you can get an idea
off the duration of each activity and the entire
project.
Another advantage of bar chart is that they
particularly appeal to persons who do not have
technical background.
A final advantage of bar chart is the ability to roll
Disadvantages of Bar Charts
The main disadvantage of bar chart is their lack
of logical representation (relationship); for
example, why an activity started on a certain
date.
The reason can be logical relationship, resource
constraints, or a subjective decision by the project
manager.
Unlike networks, bar chart do not allow the
length of the bars to be subjectively changed or
the bars to be moved around to make the charts
look or read better.
Cont…
Bar charts may not be practical for projects
with a large number of activities, unless you
use them in two ways.
1. You show a subset of the work activities to
maintain the simplicity of the chart.
2. You show summary /rolled up bars (each bar
represents a group of activities combined on
the basis of a certain criterion, such as
department, major component, or
responsibility).
New technology (computers, software,
printers, etc.) has minimized or even
eliminated some of the disadvantages of bar
charts by enabling the user to organize, filter,
roll up, summarize, or do almost anything to
customize bar charts.
Figure 4: Bar chart representing the summary activities for
constructing a bridge
