Gantt Chart vs Kanban: Key Differences & Examples

Not sure whether to choose a Gantt chart or a Kanban board for managing your projects efficiently?

The struggle starts when tasks keep growing, timelines shift, and it feels like things are getting out of hand. It gets even more confusing when you’re not sure which tool actually suits the way your team works.

Once you understand how each one works and what it’s good at, choosing the right tool becomes much easier. You can keep work steady, stay organised, and avoid the usual stress.

In this blog, you’ll see when a Gantt chart is useful, when a kanban board works better, and simple examples that make both easy to understand. By the end, you’ll have a clear view of the key differences so you can pick the one that supports your goals.

When To Use a Gantt Chart?

A Gantt chart is a visual project management tool that displays tasks, their timelines, and how they relate to each other. It helps you see the entire project flow from start to finish in a clear, structured format.

Use a Gantt chart when you need to:

• Plan projects with multiple tasks that depend on one another or must follow a specific sequence.
• Visualise the overall project timeline to easily view start dates, end dates, and key milestones.
• Track progress throughout the project and quickly spot any delays or risks.
• Coordinate work across teams by showing roles, responsibilities, and how tasks connect.
• Communicate project details to stakeholders in a simple, visual way that’s easy to understand.

What are Gantt Chart Examples?

Gantt charts are commonly used in many projects because they help you plan, organise, and keep track of tasks. They give a clear picture of how different tasks link together and how your project is moving forward. Take a look below to see some real-life Gantt chart examples.

Example 1: Software Development Project

Imagine you’re managing a new app development project. There are several parts to handle, like the user interface, backend coding, testing, and deployment. Some tasks depend on others. For example, testing can only start after the coding is done.

A Gantt chart helps you see the whole picture and keep everything on track. It lets you:

• Schedule each task along a timeline.
• Assign responsibilities to individual developers.
• Track which tasks are completed, in progress, or delayed.
• Spot potential bottlenecks if one module is falling behind.

Example 2: Marketing Campaign Launch

Suppose you’re planning a marketing campaign for a product launch. You have tasks like designing graphics, writing copy, scheduling social media posts, setting up email campaigns, and running ads. Some of these can happen at the same time, while others need to be done in a set order.

For example, you need to create the content before you can schedule the ads. A Gantt chart helps you see how all of this fits together and keeps the whole plan moving steadily. It lets you:

• See the start and end dates of each activity.
• Track which tasks are on schedule and which are falling behind.
• Assign tasks clearly to team members.
• Visualise overlapping tasks to prevent last-minute conflicts.

With a Gantt chart, you can guide your team more smoothly, make sure the campaign goes live on time, and update stakeholders without long meetings.

When To Use a Kanban Board?

A Kanban board is a simple visual tool that shows how tasks move through different stages of your workflow. It helps you see what’s being worked on, what’s pending, and what’s completed, all in one clean view.

Use a Kanban board when you need to:

• Manage ongoing work where tasks flow in and out continuously rather than following a strict timeline.
• Improve daily task visibility so you can quickly see what’s in progress, what’s blocked, and what’s ready to start.
• Keep teams coordinated by showing real-time updates across all stages of the workflow.
• Communicate progress clearly to everyone involved without needing complex charts or schedules.

What Are Kanban Board Examples?

Keeping track of tasks can get messy, especially when work moves fast. A Kanban board brings clarity by showing exactly what’s being worked on, what’s done, and what’s next. Here you can see how it works in real situations:

Example 1: Managing a Software Development Project

Imagine you're leading a software development project where tasks are constantly evolving based on new feedback. A Kanban board allows you to break down the work into smaller, manageable tasks and track them as they move through stages like "To Do," "In Progress," and "Completed."

When you run a sprint to build a new feature, you track activities like designing UI, backend code, and deploying to staging. Everything moves to the next column as the tasks are completed, and you can instantly see where everything stands. When one task falls behind, you can easily adjust priorities and keep the process moving.

Kanban works great for projects where requirements keep changing, giving you the flexibility to adjust as needed while keeping everything on track.

Example 2: Managing a Marketing Campaign

In a marketing campaign, you put tasks like write blog post, design email, and schedule social media on your Kanban board. As you complete each task, you move it to the next column, giving you a clear view of the campaign’s progress.

You can limit how many tasks are in each column to avoid overloading your team. If a task falls behind, you’ll notice it immediately and can reassign resources, keeping the campaign on track and meeting deadlines.

How Do Gantt Chart is Differ from Kanban Board?

A Gantt chart and a Kanban board both can help you manage your work, but they serve different purposes. Once you understand these differences, it becomes easier to decide which one fits your project.

Feature	Gantt Chart	Kanban Board

Conclusion

In choosing between a Gantt chart and a Kanban board, it will be a matter of how you manage your work. A Gantt chart is useful when you require an entire project schedule, when tasks are dependent on other tasks, and when you want to monitor your progress relative to your plan. Use a Kanban board when the work changes frequently and you require real-time visibility in order to ensure everything is running smoothly. Knowing these differences can help you choose the appropriate tool, manage your work, get tasks done, and keep everything on schedule and efficient.