How to Make a Gantt Chart in Asana
Sep 10, 2025
What is a Gantt Chart, and why use one in Asana?
A Gantt chart is a horizontal bar chart used in project management to illustrate a project schedule over time. Each task appears as a bar, with the position and length showing the task’s start date, duration, and end date.
Asana’s Timeline view acts like an easy-to-use Gantt chart, allowing project managers to see task dependencies, due dates, and project phases—all in one place.
Step-by-Step: How to Build a Gantt Chart in Asana
Creating a Gantt chart in Asana is straightforward, especially with the Timeline view available on Asana Premium and beyond.
1. Create a New Project
Go to your Asana workspace.
Click "Create new project".
Choose "Blank Project" or a template, and set the default view to Timeline if you like.
2. Add Tasks to Your Project
Use the List View or Timeline View to add tasks.
Click "+ Add task" and enter the task name.
Assign a team member and set Start and Due Dates—this creates the Gantt bars.
3. Switch to Timeline View
Go to the Timeline tab.
Your tasks will display as draggable bars on the chart, based on the dates you entered.
4. Set Task Dependencies
Hover over a task bar until you spot a small connector dot.
Click and drag it to another task to establish a dependency.
Asana will auto-adjust schedules if linked tasks change.
5. Add Milestones
In the list view, click the three-dot icon next to a task and choose "Mark as milestone".
Milestones appear as diamonds in Timeline view—great for keeping track of critical project stages.
6. Use Sections to Group Tasks
Use Sections to organize your tasks by phase, team, or function (e.g., “Design,” “Dev,” “Launch”).
7. Drag-and-Drop to Adjust
Timeline view is completely interactive. Drag task bars to reschedule or change task durations.
NEW: How Asana’s AI Features Enhance Gantt Chart Planning
Asana’s new AI-powered tools make managing your Gantt chart even more effective:
🧠 Smart Fields
Asana suggests custom fields based on your project content, aiding you in tracking budgets, status, or stakeholders more efficiently.
🗨️ Smart Status Updates
Automatically generate excellent project updates, summarizing progress and highlighting risks based on Timeline and task activity.
📄 Smart Summaries (AI-Powered Search)
Summarize your entire project or section with AI to quickly see what’s happened and what’s next—perfect for reports and meetings.
⚠️ Critical Path Highlighting
Though not named "critical path," Asana’s Timeline can highlight tasks affecting your project’s delivery date through dependencies and AI-powered forecasting.
Best Practices for Project Managers Using Asana Gantt Charts
✅ Keep it current – Regularly update task progress to show the actual project status.
✅ Start with milestones – Set dates for key deliverables before building the rest.
✅ Link logically – Use dependencies to reflect true task order, particularly for cross-functional teams.
✅ Encourage team updates – Assign tasks and have team members keep dates and progress updated.
✅ Use AI to save time – Let Asana’s Smart Updates and Fields streamline evolving projects.
Get Started with Asana Timeline Today
Asana’s Timeline view offers more than a Gantt chart—it's a dynamic planning tool that evolves with your team. If you’re managing complex projects, Asana helps you plan, track, and adjust with clarity.
📩 Want to try it? Contact Generation Digital for a free 30-day trial of Asana Enterprise and expert onboarding.
