What is the main function of a Gantt chart in project management?

A Gantt chart is an essential tool in project management primarily designed to track the timeline and progress of tasks. It provides a visual representation of a project schedule, displaying the start and finish dates of various components, as well as their relative positions in the timeline. This layout helps project managers and teams see how tasks align over time, identify overlaps, and monitor both progress and potential delays.

By using a Gantt chart, teams can manage resources more effectively, set realistic deadlines, and ensure that everyone is aware of their responsibilities and the overall project timeline. This method enhances communication and coordination among team members, leading to more organized and efficient project execution.

In contrast, other options do not accurately reflect the main function of a Gantt chart. For instance, while financial forecasts are important for project funding, a Gantt chart does not address financial elements directly. Similarly, although risk analysis is a critical aspect of project management, it falls outside the primary purpose of a Gantt chart. Designing engineering models is also unrelated, as Gantt charts do not serve a design function but rather focus on scheduling and tracking tasks.