Henry L. Gantt, Class of 1884: Charting a Course for Success

Henry Gantt obtained entry to Stevens in 1883, graduating in record time in 1884, having passed special examinations. He developed the revolutionary Gantt chart, allowing project managers to track goals, productivity, resource use and schedules, for the American Locomotive Company in 1903. He later employed it to carry out his duties during World War I – overseeing the production of military arsenal such as rifles, guns, ammunition and other war material.

The early adoption of his chart as a managerial tool during the war popularized the invention and made Gantt famous. The Gantt chart was the realization of Gantt's management philosophy, in a form that helped managers cope with uncertainty and changing priorities as projects progress. And it's indisputable that the chart's clear, visual approach and ease of use have stood the test of time.