Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Information Technology IT
Lesson Topic: Use project management tools (Gantt charts, PERT charts)
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the purpose and key phases of project management.
  • Explain how Gantt charts visualise project schedules and dependencies.
  • Apply the steps to construct a simple Gantt chart using given activity data.
  • Explain the PERT technique, including O‑M‑P estimates and critical‑path identification.
  • Analyse and compare Gantt and PERT charts to select the appropriate tool for a given scenario.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector or interactive whiteboard
  • Computer with internet access
  • Spreadsheet software (e.g., Excel or Google Sheets) for chart creation
  • Printed handouts of activity data tables
  • Sample Gantt and PERT chart templates
  • Whiteboard markers and flip chart
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick poll: who has ever used a timeline to plan a school project or event? Briefly recap the five phases of project management and emphasise that today’s success criteria are to be able to design a basic Gantt chart and perform a simple PERT analysis for an IT project.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5') – Students list tasks from a familiar school project on sticky notes.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10') – Review project management phases and introduce Gantt chart components.
  3. Guided practice (15') – Using the provided activity table, students create a Gantt chart in a spreadsheet; teacher circulates.
  4. Quick check (5') – Students share one insight about dependencies; teacher asks concept questions.
  5. Introduction to PERT (10') – Explain O‑M‑P estimates, TE formula, and critical‑path concept.
  6. Group activity (15') – Teams calculate TE for each activity, draw a PERT network on paper, and identify the critical path.
  7. Comparison discussion (5') – Whole‑class compare Gantt vs PERT using the comparison table.
  8. Exit ticket (5') – Write one situation where a Gantt chart is preferred and one where a PERT chart is preferred.
Conclusion:
Summarise that Gantt charts give a clear visual timeline while PERT charts help manage uncertainty and reveal the critical path. For the exit ticket, students note which tool they would use for a given project scenario. Assign homework to draft a Gantt chart for a personal or class project using the provided template.