A bar chart is a graphical tool that can be used to present data in a way that is easy to read, easy to understand, and provides the ability for easy comparison of all provided data. It can be used to provide the project team and all of those looking for project related information data from the individual schedule activities and work breakdown structure components. In a typical bar chart (also referred to as a bar graph or a Gantt chart, named after H.L. Gantt who published one of the first recorded bar charts in 1931), the left side of the chart displays the work breakdown structure components or the individual schedule activities, the dates in question are placed along the top of the chart, and the activity durations are represented by date-placed horizontal bars. These bars can be color coded if necessary, or they can be filled in with patterns to allow for more cost-effective printing in grayscale.

This term is defined in the 3rd edition of the PMBOK but not in the 4th.

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