Which tool helps in creating project schedules and tracking progress?

A Gantt chart is an effective tool for creating project schedules and tracking progress. It visually represents tasks or activities against a timeline, allowing project managers to see what needs to be done, who is responsible for each task, and how long each task is expected to take. This timeline visibility helps in understanding the sequence of tasks and their durations, making it easier to monitor progress and make adjustments as necessary.

In addition to showing when tasks start and finish, Gantt charts can also illustrate dependencies between tasks, which is critical for effective project management. As team members complete tasks, the chart can be updated to reflect progress, making it a dynamic tool for tracking project status.

Other tools mentioned, like flowcharts, PERT charts, and data flow diagrams, serve different purposes. Flowcharts depict processes or workflows, PERT charts are used for analyzing the tasks involved in completing a project, particularly focusing on the time needed for each task and identifying the minimum time required to complete the project, while data flow diagrams illustrate how data moves through a system rather than scheduling or tracking tasks. Therefore, while all of these tools are valuable in project management and information systems, the Gantt chart specifically excels in scheduling and progress tracking.