Back to Planning and Decision Making

Higher Applications of Mathematics

Gantt charts

Planning and communicating project timelines.

Planning referencePlanning mixed quiz

Planning reference

Check networks, timing, float, PERT, Gantt charts, risk and expected value.

Mixed revision quiz

Review Planning and Decision Making with adaptive feedback.

Before you start

  • Be confident reading information from tables and diagrams.
  • Check time units, costs and probabilities before calculating.
  • Be ready to explain what the result means for the project or decision.

Method helper

Which planning method do I use?

Do tasks depend on other tasks being completed first?

Draw an activity network.

Are task times uncertain?

Use PERT estimates.

Do you need the minimum project duration?

Find the critical path.

Do you need to know which activities can be delayed?

Calculate float.

Do you need to show a project schedule on a timeline?

Create a Gantt chart.

Are you comparing uncertain financial outcomes?

Calculate expected value.

Are you comparing options with risk, cost and benefit?

Use risk and decision making.

Do you need a written recommendation?

Explain the decision in context with limitations.

Planning lesson

Key idea

  • This topic focuses on creating and interpreting project schedules on a timeline. Planning and decision making uses mathematics to organise real projects and compare choices under constraints.
  • A good planning answer identifies the activities or options, uses the correct method, and explains the result in the context of the project.
  • For Higher Applications, the conclusion matters. You should mention timing, risk, cost, uncertainty or limitations where they affect the decision.

Key definitions, methods and formulae

  • A Gantt chart shows activities as bars on a time scale.
  • Bars can show start time, finish time, overlap and dependency.
  • Critical activities should be scheduled carefully because delays affect the project.

Worked examples

Planning walkthrough 1

Set up the information

A school trip is planned with booking, consent forms, payment deadlines and transport checks.

  1. Choose a suitable time scale such as days or weeks.
  2. List activities down the side.
  3. Draw a bar from each start time to finish time.

A Gantt chart communicates the schedule more clearly than a list.

Planning walkthrough 2

Carry out the method

A school trip is planned with booking, consent forms, payment deadlines and transport checks.

  1. Check dependencies before placing each bar.
  2. Allow tasks to overlap only when dependencies allow.
  3. Label key deadlines clearly.

Dependencies still matter even when activities are shown on a timeline.

Planning walkthrough 3

Interpret the decision

A school trip is planned with booking, consent forms, payment deadlines and transport checks.

  1. Use the chart to find busy periods or possible clashes.
  2. Explain whether the schedule is realistic.
  3. Suggest one change if resources are stretched.

The chart helps identify workload clashes and deadlines.

Watch out

  • Ignoring dependencies and allowing activities to start too early.
  • Mixing time units, such as hours and days, without converting.
  • Choosing the cheapest option without considering risk or impact.
  • Treating expected value as a guaranteed outcome.
  • Giving a schedule or calculation without explaining what it means for the project.

Connected topics

Related Higher Applications topics

Spreadsheet: Creating chartsSpreadsheet: Entering and organising data

Next step

Move into practice

Use the learning notes to read dependencies and constraints, then try varied schedules, precedence tables and decision contexts.

Planning mixed quiz