Homework: Gantt Chart/Project Scheduling and Tracking

Purpose: This assignment aims to test your ability to create a Gantt chart for a specific project. In this assignment, you will be given a specific project prompt, and you will figure out how you and two other people will complete the project. You will then create a Gantt chart that includes all the tasks and phases that you and your team will complete to finish the project.

Step 1 - Getting Started

  1. Make a copy of the Gantt Chart Excel file you completed in class.

  2. Rename it something like "(Your-Name)-HW-Gantt-Chart.xlsx"

  3. Remember to save it in your OneDrive folder that you created in the first assignment

Step 2 - Landscape Invoice Tracker Instructions and Requirements

Imagine that you are working for a landscaping company and your boss has asked you to create a professional spreadsheet that can be used to generate bills for landscaping clients. The proposed spreadsheet must include:

  • At least three types of foliage, soil, and rocks, along with their cost per square foot

  • A section where the client’s square footage purchase for each material is entered

  • A way to calculate total costs based on quantity and unit prices

  • An entry field for person-hours required to complete the landscaping

  • Any other details needed for a clear and useful client invoice

Note

You don't need to actually create the spreadsheet, you are simply supposed to populate a Gantt chart outlining how you would develop the spreadsheet.

Step 3 - Populate the Gantt Chart

Assume that you are in a team of 3. You are making a Gantt chart to help organize the creation of the "Landscape Invoice Tracker" spreadsheet based on the landscaping project described above. The project manager is you. Your project start date is the next time you have class, and you have 2 weeks to complete the project.

Using your Gantt chart from step 1, add the following:

  • Break the project into three distinct phases (examples: Planning, Building the Spreadsheet, Final Review & Submission)

  • Each phase should contain 3–4 specific tasks

  • Assign tasks among the 3 team members

  • Estimate start and end dates for each task

  • Include dependencies when applicable (e.g., Task B can’t start until Task A is done)

Turning in/Rubric

REMINDER - For this class, you will only turn in the links to your Excel files. You will get a 0 for this assignment if you turn in an Excel file or a link that is not shareable.

  1. On the top right, click the share button --> share --> settings
  2. Click "anyone" at the top, then underneath "More settings", change "can view" to "can edit". Then click apply.
  3. Copy the link, then turn it into Learning Suite in the feedback box for that assignment.

Rubric:

Item Points Possible
Project title, team member names, and project manager name are clearly labeled 2
Project start and end dates are clearly indicated 2
Project is divided into 3 clearly labeled phases 3
Each phase includes 3–4 well-defined tasks 4
Tasks are logically ordered and match realistic project progression 3
Tasks are assigned to 3 different team members (workload is balanced) 3
Each task includes clearly defined start and end dates 3
Phase start and end dates are correctly calculated based on task timelines 2
Dependencies are indicated between tasks when appropriate 3
Gantt chart includes color-coded bars or highlights to indicate task duration 3
Chart includes headers, labels, and clean layout for readability 3
Today’s date is clearly marked using a formatting element (e.g., color, line, etc.) 2
Total
 33

The following is not a part of the rubric, but specifies how you can lose points. For example: if you fail to share your link correctly.

Reasons for Points Lost Amount
Link shared incorrectly -10%
Turned in late (per week) -10% (up to -50%)