Which of the following is not true? Gantt charts __.
a. force project managers to think in detail about the project’s requirements
b. are simple and easy to understand
c. show the critical path
d. do not display the precedence requirements of individual tasks
The correct answer and explanation is :
Correct Answer: c. show the critical path
Explanation:
A Gantt chart is a visual project management tool that represents a project schedule. It displays tasks as horizontal bars, where the length of each bar corresponds to the duration of the task. While Gantt charts are useful for tracking progress and managing resources, they do not inherently show the critical path of a project.
Analysis of Each Option:
- (a) Force project managers to think in detail about the project’s requirements – TRUE
Creating a Gantt chart requires defining tasks, durations, and dependencies. This process ensures that project managers thoroughly analyze and plan project requirements before execution. - (b) Are simple and easy to understand – TRUE
One of the main advantages of Gantt charts is their simplicity and clarity. They provide a visual timeline that is easy to interpret, even for non-technical stakeholders. - (c) Show the critical path – FALSE
The Critical Path Method (CPM) identifies the longest sequence of dependent tasks that determine the shortest time needed to complete a project. While Gantt charts can display task dependencies, they do not inherently highlight the critical path unless supplemented with additional tools like PERT (Program Evaluation Review Technique) or dedicated CPM analysis. - (d) Do not display the precedence requirements of individual tasks – TRUE
Basic Gantt charts typically do not show explicit task dependencies (such as “Task A must finish before Task B starts”). However, modern Gantt chart software includes dependency linking (e.g., finish-to-start relationships), making them more useful for scheduling.
Conclusion:
Although Gantt charts are excellent for visualizing schedules and tracking progress, they do not inherently show the critical path without additional analysis. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.