If you’re already using Quickbase to manage your data, you know what an incredibly robust tool it is for a wide range of uses. That being said, the standard Quickbase timeline report doesn’t offer the kind of flexibility that most project managers need.
Too often, project managers end up pulling data out of their Quickbase system and into another program only to find there’s no way to then port that data back into Quickbase. The result is a frustrating and cumbersome process that fails to leverage the potential of your existing database.
By adding a simple extension to your Quickbase view, you can quickly and easily create Gantt charts without having to export your data to another program. From a project management perspective, Gantt charts are indispensable for getting a clear sense of dependencies and visualizing the process of any major project. The ability to create Gantt charts within Quickbase will supercharge the standard Quickbase timeline report into a powerful project management tool.
Here are four ways adding a Gantt chart extension to Quickbase can boost your project management: allowing you to make adjustments in real time, easily manipulate information, run scenarios and quickly visualize dependencies.
Realtime Updates
One of the first key ways that a Gantt chart can maximize the efficiency of your project management is via realtime updates. By adding a Gantt extension to your Quickbase view, you eliminate the need to move between platforms to track and update tasks. By keeping your data self contained, any updates to your project can be quickly and easily implemented through the Gantt chart. No need to import and export data into multiple tools or platforms. You can manage your project and the various dependencies all in one place.
Easily Manipulate Information
In order for any project management tool to be truly useful, it has to be easy to update. That’s why spreadsheets are so inefficient for managing complex projects and tasks. While it may be easy to change the information in a single field, making changes to timelines or dependencies becomes cumbersome almost immediately.
In contrast, an effective Gantt chart allows you to both quickly and easily update information while simultaneously providing a clear view of the big picture. The easier it is to manipulate the data – adding start and stop dates, connecting dependencies or assigning tasks – the more effective your tool becomes.
With a Gantt chart extension in Quickbase, you can:
- Drag and drop to move task dates and create dependencies.
- Use color coding to distinguish between different phases of a project, different vendors or different resources required.
- Quickly update information with in-line editing, which allows you to edit tasks without having to click an edit button.
- Edit and assign tasks from within line items.
- View projects through multiple perspectives – shifting seamlessly between Gantt view and List view to track tasks.
- Comment on specific tasks and upload documents directly to the task with which they are affiliated.
- View project change logs at a glance to easily track progress and adjustments.
Quickbase Project Management Without Gantt:
Quickbase Project Management With Gantt:
Create Scenarios and Run Analyses
When trying to map out a timeline, develop an estimate or review the consequences of making changes to a schedule, you have to be able to visualize cause and effect. A simple timeline that can’t factor in complex dependency hierarchies won’t give you the picture you need to assess the best course of action.
That’s where a flexible and responsive Gantt chart can really make project management in Quickbase a powerful option. With its drag and drop interface, the Gantt chart allows you to move data quickly to see how it impacts a project plan. The interrelationships are easily charted and tracked. At a glance, you’ll be able to see the impact of pushing out a task or reallocating a resource.
This level of detail and responsive flexibility makes it possible to create scenarios without losing or duplicating your work. When making scheduling or resource allocation decisions, you can see at a glance the impact of each decision. Since the interface is easy to work with, you can use the Gantt chart as part of your planning process to maximize efficiency.
Straightforward Dependency Tracking
Perhaps the most useful aspect of a Gantt chart for project management is the way it allows you to track complex task hierarchies. For waterfall project management, being able to visualize the critical path is absolutely essential. This is possible with a Gantt chart but not with a standard timeline view.
A Gantt chart allows for multiple task layering, as well as the ability to create complex dependencies between tasks and milestones. The straightforward display of interrelationships between tasks allows project managers to quickly assess how changes to dependencies affect the overall timeline of a project. Viewing the work breakdown structure at a glance makes it possible to manage the project within a single platform.
Supercharge Your Quickbase Today
These are just some of the ways a Gantt chart can help you boost your existing Quickbase into a robust project management tool. VeilSun is deeply committed to partnering with our clients rather than offering canned solutions. All of our existing apps and extensions are customizable to suit your needs, and our experts are on-hand to help guide you through the process.
As the 2018 Quickbase Partner of the Year, 2019 Quickbase People's Choice Solution Provider, and a Quickbase Solution Gold Partner, we’re dedicated to finding the solution that is right for your business.Contact us today to learn more about how working with a Quickbase Partner can help you to leverage your existing Quickbase tools and maximize your ROI.
