Stop using Gantt charts in the 21st century

If you are still using Gantt charts, then after reading this article, you will stop doing them. Unless management or your clients demand it,

What’s wrong with Gantt charts?

Gantt charts were first used around 1890. At that time, an architect, investor, builder, and supervisor could be one person. Yes, if you review the history, you will find out that the owner was actually all one person. The speed of construction and material production were slow. At that time, the Gantt chart revolutionized everything. The contractor outlined all the construction tasks and then made the Gantt chart. Since the construction speed was slow and the work was mainly organized by one person, that person could actually follow the schedule, make adjustments, and keep it up to date. 

But this doesn’t work today when we want to build a 20-story house in less than a year. 

You can’t track changes with Gantt charts

For example, one simple 5 story house could have 10+ different subcontractors. Imagine that one of them realizes that specific tasks should be extended, and this will then affect all 9+ remaining subcontractors. This means that all of the subcontractors must be informed about changes. It is impossible to track all these changes on Gantt charts and inform all parties about them. In the 19th century, when Gantt charts were invented, it was easy because, in most cases, construction work was managed by one project manager. 

A Gantt chart doesn’t add value

All you can do with Gantt charts is outline the tasks and make dependencies; this then gives you a possible deadline. Those deadlines are never right. 

Is there an alternative to Gantt charts?

Luckily, after 100+ years, there is an alternative to Gantt charts: construction software. Thanks to the latest AI advancements in construction software, companies have managed to pull off great tools. We now live in a time when construction companies will finally face productivity improvements. 

What is AI in construction scheduling?

We know that a Gantt chart is completely made by humans. All the processes, lengths of tasks, and dependencies are made and decided by humans. AI does the same thing, but with scale. AI calculates and reschedules thousands of different scenarios and gives one single best case scenario. 

Does AI reschedule projects in the event of change? 

Yes, and this is why AI is the next big thing in the construction industry. In the event of changes to the project, AI will reschedule everything for you and again give you the best output. AI can then also inform other parties about changes, and they can then make adjustments to their schedule. If those other parties also use AI and the same software, this is done instantly, and project managers receive notification that changes have been made. Do you agree with them? AI is mind-blowing when it comes to construction. 

Rebudgeting

Can you use a Gantt chart to rebudget your project? Probably not. With AI in construction project management, the functions will be endless. Together with project rescheduling, project software can also reschedule your budget. And again, it has rescheduled many different scenarios, giving you the best output. Imagine you step foot on site, and within the first few days, you already know your possible budget. 

There are many construction software companies that are now working on AI project management. Some of them are already out there. But within the next few years, the days when construction projects were scheduled by Gantt charts will be long gone.

Author – Emil Berzins. Follow me on