There are several techniques we could use to get the dates as part of the stacked bars instead of as axis labels. We want our dates to be above the bars in service of the X axis. One of the main issues is that Excel is plotting the dates across the vertical axis. If we select the data in columns K through M and insert a common stacked bar chart, the results are less than stellar. =D5-B5 The Trouble with ChartsĪs many people have discovered, it is often not easy to create a chart, and have it look perfect from the moment of inception. This is a calculation that takes the End Date (D) and subtracts the Start Date (B). This column is a direct reference to the dates in Column B. We want a repeat of the Start Dates in Column B. This is a calculation that takes the # Days (M) and multiplies it by the % Completion (I). This is a calculation to determine the difference between the End Date (H) and the Start Date (F). This column is a direct reference to the dates in Column F. We want a repeat of the Start Dates in Column F. This column is a direct reference to the tasks in Column A. We want a repeat of the Tasks in Column A. Each column will have the first task’s formula/data repeated downward for the remaining tasks. The data preparation table is an effective approach to rework the data, which may not be in an easily-chartable format and list the data in a structure that is better understood by the chart engine.Įach of the following descriptions will be accompanied by a sample formula/value for the first task. We will start by creating a data preparation table in columns K through P. Additionally, we want to see a line in the Gantt Chart that indicates the current date. Now we will create a Gantt Chart that displays all the above information in a single view. Ideally, all tasks will be set to 100% when the project is finished. This is a manually entered percentage that represents the amount of work accomplished for the task. An example of this for the first task would be: =IF(F5="", "", WORKDAY(F5, G5, $P$5:$P$19)) Column I – % Completion This is a formula that calculates the end date based on the Actual Start Date (F) and the and the Actual # Working Days (G). This is the actual number of days it took to complete the task. This is the day the task actually started. This is where Reality steps in and starts to influence our projections. The Actual is what really happened during project execution. If you are unclear as to how the WORKDAY function operates, consult the first two referenced Gantt Chart videos. An example of this would be to calculate the end date of the first task: =IF(B5="", "", WORKDAY(B5, C5, $P$5:$P$19)) This is a formula that calculates the end date based on the Start Date (B) and the and the # Working Days (C). This is the number of days to complete the task. The Plan is a listing of our projections what we THINK is going to happen during project execution. Our columns are as follows: Column A – Task We will begin with the data that was created in the first two tutorials of the Gantt Chart. The goal is to have both charts represented as a single chart while remaining easily understood without sacrificing content. The single chart can be made larger, easier to read, and have greater detail than two smaller charts, while retaining full functionality and messaging. This allows us to see two views in a single chart. The Plan is often referred to as the Baseline what you thought was going to happen ( planned to happen) as opposed to what really happened. The Actuals are represented as a thick gray bar while the percent completed are represented as a thinner green bar on top of the Actuals.Īn additional feature is the ability to switch the chart from displaying the Actuals to the Plan. This chart is a bit more sophisticated, showing not only the Actuals ( start, duration, end), but also the percentage completed. You can see when the task starts, how long it takes to complete, and when the task ends. This is a simple chart to construct because it contains only a single view. There are two existing tutorials that cover the bulk of this chart’s construction: Quick Gantt Chart:
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