← VCE Software Development U3O2

Gantt chart: sequencing tasks

Putting tasks in the order they must happen on a Gantt chart. Tasks that depend on others start after them, while independent tasks can run in parallel (at the same time).

Part of: VCE Software Development - U3O2 - Analysis and Design — Module 15, VCE Data Analytics - U3O2 - Analysis and Design — Module 11

Understanding Gantt chart: sequencing tasks in VCE Software Development U3O2

What it does: Testing needs finished code, so its bar starts after the coding bar ends. Neither task needs the other's output, so both can run in the same weeks. Sequencing arranges tasks in the order they must be completed, so the chart shows what comes first, next and last. Independent tasks can run at the same time. Their bars overlap along the timeline, which can shorten the overall project. You cannot sensibly build before you know what is needed and how it is designed. Dependencies set the sequence. The left edge of the bar is the start, the right edge is the end, and its position shows where the task sits in the sequence.

Common mistakes: A task's end position cannot come before its start position on the chart. Plan should run from week 1 to week 2, so the line should be 'Plan: wk 1-2'. Analyse depends on both the interview and the survey, so it cannot start until they finish. It should start in week 3: 'Analyse: wk 3-4 after both'.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 12–24) and word search (Modules 2–24).

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Learning

Duo

Sequencing on a Gantt chart means...

Listing tasks alphabetically by namePutting tasks in the order they must happen

Matches

Write code: Week 1-3, Design solution: Week 4-5

↓

The tasks are in the wrong order. Code is written before the design exists, but design must come first and finish before coding starts.

Applying

Meanings

Term

Sequencing

Meaning

Putting tasks in the order they must happen on a Gantt chart. Tasks that depend on others start after them, while independent tasks can run in parallel (at the same time).

Practice

1 Plan | Week 1-2 | After: none

Testing

Gaps

Code starts after ends

Check Answer

Spots

1Plan: wk 2-1

2Design: wk 3-4 after Plan

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Quick Questions

1. Sequencing on a Gantt chart means...

A. Listing tasks alphabetically by name

B. Putting tasks in the order they must happen ✓

Sequencing arranges tasks in the order they must be completed, so the chart shows what comes first, next and last.

2. Task B needs Task A to be finished first. Where does B's bar start on the chart?

A. At the same start point as A

B. After A's bar ends ✓

A dependent task cannot begin until the task it relies on has finished, so its bar starts after the earlier bar ends.

3. Two tasks do not depend on each other and the team has enough people. How can they be shown?

A. As parallel tasks with overlapping bars ✓

B. One after the other, with no overlap

Independent tasks can run at the same time. Their bars overlap along the timeline, which can shorten the overall project.

4. Which task order makes sense when sequencing a software project?

A. Gather requirements, then design, then build ✓

B. Build, then design, then gather requirements

You cannot sensibly build before you know what is needed and how it is designed. Dependencies set the sequence.

5. On a Gantt chart, what does the position of a task's bar tell you?

A. When the task starts and ends ✓

B. How important the task is

The left edge of the bar is the start, the right edge is the end, and its position shows where the task sits in the sequence.

Match the Pairs

Task A: Week 1-2, Task B: Week 3-4 → Sequential tasks: Task B starts only after Task A finishes, so the bars sit one after the other on the chart.

Task C: Week 1-3, Task D: Week 1-3 → Parallel tasks: C and D start in the same week and overlap, so they run at the same time.

A task that depends on another must start after the task it depends on has finished → Test software: starts Week 5, after Code software ends Week 4

Independent tasks can be placed in parallel to save project time → Design interface: Week 2-4, Write data dictionary: Week 2-4

Write code: Week 1-3, Design solution: Week 4-5 → The tasks are in the wrong order. Code is written before the design exists, but design must come first and finish before coding starts.

Task A: Week 1-3, Task B: Week 2-4 (B needs A's finished output) → Task B starts in Week 2 while Task A is still running, so the bars overlap. B depends on A's output and should start in Week 4 after A ends.

Key Term

Sequencing

Putting tasks in the order they must happen on a Gantt chart. Tasks that depend on others start after them, while independent tasks can run in parallel (at the same time).

Fill in the Blanks

1. Design: Day 1-3 Code: Day 4-8 Code starts after Design ends

Hint: Type the name of the task that must finish first

2. Task A: Day 1-4 Task B: Day 1-3 A and B run in parallel

Hint: Type the word for tasks that run at the same time

3. Design: start Day 1, end Day 3 Code: start Day 4, after Design ends

Hint: Type the day number when the Code bar begins

4. Plan: Day 1-2 Design: Day 3-5 Plan is sequenced before Design

Hint: Type the word describing which task comes earlier in the order

5. A: Day 1-4, B: Day 1-3 Task C needs A and B done first C starts Day 5 at the earliest

Hint: Type the first day after the longer parallel task finishes

Spot the Error

Question 1

A Plan: wk 2-1

B Design: wk 3-4 after Plan

C Code: wk 5-8 after Design

Line A — A task's end position cannot come before its start position on the chart. Plan should run from week 1 to week 2, so the line should be 'Plan: wk 1-2'.

Question 2

A Interview: wk 1-2

B Survey: wk 1-2 parallel

C Analyse: wk 1-2 after both

D Report: wk 5 after Analyse

Line C — Analyse depends on both the interview and the survey, so it cannot start until they finish. It should start in week 3: 'Analyse: wk 3-4 after both'.

Question 3

A Design: wk 1-2

B Code: wk 3-5 after Design

C Test: wk 6-7 after Code

D Release: wk 5 after Test

Line D — Release depends on Test, which runs until week 7. Starting in week 5 puts it before its predecessor ends. It should start after Test, in week 8.

Question 4

A Login: wk 3-5

B Reports: wk 6-8 parallel

C Test: wk 6-7 after both

Line B — Parallel tasks run at the same time, so their bars must overlap. Reports should be weeks 3-5, level with Login. Weeks 6-8 would make it a later task, not a parallel one.

Question 5

A Needs: wk 1-2 after SRS

B SRS: wk 3-4 after Needs

C Design: wk 5-6 after SRS

Line A — The first task has no predecessor, and SRS already depends on Needs. Making Needs wait for SRS creates a circular dependency. The line should be 'Needs: wk 1-2'.

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