Are you looking to optimize your Primavera P6 Gantt Chart by customizing its labels? One of the most frequently asked questions in Primavera P6 training sessions is how to modify labels in the Gantt Chart. While it might seem straightforward, changing these labels can be tricky if you’re unsure where to start. Many users mistakenly think that label settings are found in the same location as bar color adjustments, but this is not entirely the case.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the steps to change label locations in the Primavera P6 Gantt Chart and explain the various label options available.
Step 1: Access the Primavera P6 Bars Window
To begin customizing your Gantt Chart labels, first open Primavera P6. Once inside the software:
Click on the Bars icon located in your toolbar.
Alternatively, you can navigate to View in the top menu and scroll down to select Bars.
Bars Primavera P6 Drop Down
Step 2: Understanding Gantt Chart Label Placement
A common error users make is trying to change bar labels directly under the name of the bar, such as under “Remaining Work” or “Actual Work.” For example, if you want to display an activity’s name, you might be inclined to set the bar labels to appear under both “Remaining Work” and “Actual Work.” However, this approach can result in clutter, especially if an activity spans the data date, leading to multiple labels—one for Actual Work and another for Remaining Work.
To create a more organized and professional-looking Gantt Chart, it is recommended to use the Current Bar Label option. This setting consolidates the labels for all bars, ensuring that essential information such as the activity name, date, status, and total float isn’t repeated unnecessarily. Most schedulers and planners typically include only the activity name in the label to maintain clarity. Overloading the label with too much information can make your Gantt Chart look overcrowded, particularly towards the end of a project.
Step 3: How to Add the Current Bar Label in Primavera P6
To add the Current Bar Label in Primavera P6, follow these steps:
Open the Bars window and click on Add on the right-hand side.
Label the new bar as “Current Bar Label.”
Set the Timescale of the bar to “Current Bar.”
Click in the box under Filter, which will open a separate Filter window.
Select Any Selected Filter to match and choose the filters “Level of Effort” and “Normal.” This step will ensure labels appear next to activities that are task-dependent, resource-dependent, or WBS summaries. By including the “Level of Effort” filter, you’re also labeling activities classified as Level of Effort.
Step 4: Customizing Gantt Chart Label Placement in Primavera P6
After setting up your filters:
Go to the Bar Labels tab at the bottom right of the Bars window.
Click Add to specify where the label should be placed on the Gantt Chart.
Choose the label’s position under the Position option and select the information you want to display, such as Activity Name, Activity ID, Total Float, or Dates. Most professionals opt to display only the Activity Name on the right side of the bar for clarity.
Step 5: How to Handle Milestones in the Gantt Chart
When configuring labels, it’s important to note that milestones are not typically included under the Current Bar Label. In Primavera P6, milestones are represented by symbols rather than bars, which are used for activities with durations. If you collapse the WBS, milestone symbols may disappear, but the bars will remain visible.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can effectively manage and customize the labels in your Primavera P6 Gantt Chart, ensuring your project schedule is professional, clear, and easy to understand. Proper label management is essential for project planners and schedulers looking to create optimized, readable schedules in Primavera P6.
For more expert tips on Primavera P6 and project management, be sure to explore our other blog posts. Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter for the latest in project planning and scheduling.
