How to plan a project
A ten-week project in four phases: thirteen tasks, three milestones and the dependencies between them, laid out like a classic project plan. The three views below show the same plan and stay in step: change a task in one and the others follow.
Gantt chart: the whole project at a glance
Task names and numbers in the left column, a summary row for each phase, and bars with dependency arrows to the right.
Each phase summary runs from the first start to the last end of its tasks; it is calculated, not entered, so it can never disagree with the work beneath it. In your own copy, fold a phase with its arrow to see only the summaries. The task numbers, from PP-1 to PP-16, are fixed references for meeting notes and emails: they stay with a task when it moves. The chain from Project kickoff to Lessons learned has no slack, while Stakeholder analysis and Risk assessment each have two working days to spare.
Board: where each phase stands
Phases as rows and status as columns.
Initiation and Planning are complete, and Execution is under way: Secure resources is done, Carry out the work is halfway and Progress reporting runs alongside it until the end of the phase. Drag Carry out the work to Complete and the Gantt chart above shows the change.
Task list: what is in progress
The tasks with the status In progress, with dates and duration, for the weekly status meeting.
The filter only hides tasks: the tasks it hides still govern the dates of the work that waits for them.
Make it yours
- Choose Open in Tidigar to get your own copy, dated from this week.
- Rename the phases and tasks to match your project; new tasks get the next number automatically.
- Drag Plan review a week later and watch the tasks that wait for it move with it.
- Approvals are tasks here: Secure resources waits for Plan review, and the Plan approved milestone marks the decision. Keep that pattern for your own gates.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a Gantt chart template? Yes. The first view is a Gantt chart with summary rows per phase, task numbers, dependency arrows and milestones. The phases guide shows more about summaries.
Can I add another phase? Yes. Add a value to the Phase dimension and give it tasks; the Gantt chart gets another summary row.
Does it cost anything? No. The plan is free, needs no account and is saved on your device.