Milestone (Gantt) Chart Template

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Overview

Instructions
Milestone Chart
Example 1 (research project)
Example 2 (planning project)

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Sheet 1: Instructions

	OMB Control No. 0648-0384
Instructions	Expiration Date 11/30/2021
Please follow instructions below to fill out your milestone chart ("Milestone chart" tab). See example milestone charts under "Example" tabs.
For FFO-XXXX, the anticipated project start date is XXXX XX, XXXX. Please align your milestones and tasks in this Gantt chart using the start date proposed in your application
1.     Fill out Columns A-E as follows (See "Example" tabs):
a.    Each task (column B) should fit under a project milestone (in bold, column A). Please add additional milestones in column A as needed and add the associated tasks for each milestone in separate rows in column B.
b.     Please provide a category of your choosing for each task in column C. Suggestions include (but are not limited to): Field Preparation, Field Work Sampling, Lab Analyses, Data Analyses, Data Management, Outreach, Reporting/Publications, Meetings. You may have different task categories under a single milestone (e.g., see milestone 2 in “Example” tab).
c.     Please add the start date and completion date for each task in columns D and E, respectively.
Note: Although the template only contains 3 milestones with 3 tasks each, there is no limit to the number of milestones or tasks associated with each milestone.
2. Using the timeline provided in rows 1 through 3, please fill in the appropriate cells for each task using blue that corresponds to the start and completion date provided in columns D and E, respectively. Blue cells can be continuous (e.g., from 9/1/2021-1/31/2022) or on a frequency of your choosing (e.g., bi-monthly or quarterly meetings). Note - years are in fiscal years (FY2021, FY2022).
3. Using the timeline provided in rows 1 through 3, please fill in the appropriate cells for each milestone using green that corresponds to the start and completion date of all of the tasks associated with that milestone. Note - years are in federal fiscal years (FY2021, FY2022).
4. Please save the spreadsheet as "[PI Last Name- Project title keyword- milestone chart]" and submit the file along with your full application to Grants.gov ahead of the deadline for this funding opportunity

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Sheet 2: Milestone Chart

Milestone	Task	Task Category	Task Start Date	Task Completion Date	2021	2022
						Q1			Q2			Q3			Q4
					S	O	N	D	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A
Milestone 1: [Enter name of milestone]					-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1.1	[Enter first task]	[Enter category]	[Enter start date]	[Enter due date]
1.2	[Enter second task]	[Enter category]	[Enter start date]	[Enter due date]
1.3	[Enter third task]	[Enter category]	[Enter start date]	[Enter due date]
Milestone 2: [Enter name of milestone]					-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
2.1	[Enter first task]	[Enter category]	[Enter start date]	[Enter due date]
2.2	[Enter second task]	[Enter category]	[Enter start date]	[Enter due date]
2.3	[Enter third task]	[Enter category]	[Enter start date]	[Enter due date]
Milestone 3: [Enter name of milestone]					-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
3.1	[Enter first task]	[Enter category]	[Enter start date]	[Enter due date]
3.2	[Enter second task]	[Enter category]	[Enter start date]	[Enter due date]
3.3	[Enter third task]	[Enter category]	[Enter start date]	[Enter due date]
	Etc.

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Sheet 3: Example 1 (research project)

	Task	Task Category	Task Start Date	Task Completion Date	2021							2022												2023
					Q3	Q4			Q1			Q2			Q3			Q4			Q1			Q2			Q3
					J	J	A	S	O	N	D	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D	J	F	M	A	M	J
Milestone 1: Field Data					-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	X
1.1	Expedition #1: Pre-Expedition Preparation	Cruise	6/1/2017	6/30/2017
1.2	Expedition #1: Full Depth Cruise	Cruise	7/1/2017	7/31/2017
1.3	Expedition #2: Pre-Expedition Preparation	Cruise	6/1/2017	7/31/2017
1.4	Expedition #2: Mesophotic Cruise 1	Cruise	10/1/2017	10/31/2017
1.5	Expedition #3: Pre-Expedition Preparation	Cruise	2/1/2018	5/31/2018
1.6	Expedition #3: Mesophotic Cruise 2	Cruise	6/1/2018	6/30/2018
Milestone 2: Field Data Processing					-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	X
2.1	Voucher specimens curation	Data Processing	8/1/2017	7/31/2018
2.2	DNA extractions	Data Processing	9/1/2017	7/31/2018
2.3	DNA barcoding	Data Processing	9/1/2017	9/30/2018
2.4	Publication of DNA barcoding data on GenBank	Data Management	1/1/2018	11/30/2018
2.5	RAD Sequencing Contracting	Admin	9/1/2017	7/31/2018
2.6	RAD Sequencing	Data Processing	10/1/2017	11/30/2018
2.7	RADseq data QAQC and filtering	Data Processing	3/1/2018	12/31/2018
2.8	RAD loci clustering and SNP calling	Data Processing	5/1/2018	1/31/2019
2.9	Completion of Eulerian integrations for 2014-2016	Data Processing	6/1/2017	6/30/2018
Milestone 3: Data Interpretation					-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	X
3.1	Analyses of spatial population genetic structuring	Data Analysis	7/1/2018	2/28/2019
3.2	Analyses of genetic connectivity rate and directionality	Data Analysis	9/1/2018	3/31/2019
3.3	Integration of population genetic and modeling data	Modeling	5/1/2018	5/31/2019
3.4	Larval Dispersal modeling	Modeling	1/1/2018	12/31/2018
Milestone 4: Publications					-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	X
4.1	Cruise Reports	Publication	9/1/2017	7/31/2018
4.2	Dissemination of cruise metadata	Data Management	9/1/2017	8/31/2018
4.3	Completion of peer-reviewed publications	Publication	1/1/2019	5/31/2019
Milestone 5: Outreach					-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	X
5.1	Reports to managers	Presentations	11/1/2017	5/31/2019
5.2	Scientific Meeting	Presentations	2/1/2019	2/28/2019
5.3	End of Project workshop	Workshop	5/1/2019	5/31/2019
Milestone 6: Reporting					-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	X
6.1	Progress reports	Data Management	11/1/2017	5/31/2019
6.2	Final Report	Data Management	1/1/2019	5/31/2019
6.3	Archive annotated video frames at DSCRTP w/in 6 months after cruise	Data Management	1/1/2018	12/31/2018
6.4	Archive coral specimens at NOAA/Harvey Mudd/Smithsonian within 1 yr from collection	Data Management	7/1/2018	6/30/2019
6.5	Archive CTD data at NCEI within 1 year from collection	Data Management	7/1/2018	6/30/2019
6.6	Archive video at NCEI at end of project	Data Management	1/1/2019	5/31/2019
6.7	Archive genetic data at NCBI/Dryad at time of publication	Data Management	5/1/2019	5/31/2020
6.8	Archive model output at NCEI at time of publication	Data Management	5/1/2019	5/31/2020
Meetings					-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	X
7.1	Mid-Project PI meeting	Meetings	4/1/2018	4/30/2018
7.2	Annual meeting with technical monitors	Meetings	4/1/2018	11/30/2018
7.3	Conference calls with technical monitors	Meetings	6/1/2017	5/31/2019

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Sheet 4: Example 2 (planning project)

This Gantt chart is based on an example project focused on reducing the scientific uncertainities around a state agency decision to set nutrient reduction targets and where to place continuous nutrient monitoring stations.

Task

Task Category

Task Start Date

Task Completion Date

2021

2022

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

Milestone 1: Scoping Activities*

-

-

-

-

X

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1.1

Design survey to query nutrient management community on current practices

Meeting Preparation

9/1/2021

9/30/2021

1.2

Conduct nutrient management practices survey

Meeting Preparation

10/1/2021

10/31/2021

1.3

Design first scoping workshop (virtual) with facilitator

Meeting Preparation

10/1/2021

10/31/2021

1.4

Generate initial project scope based on nutrient managment reduction decision and identified uncertainties

Writing

11/1/2021

12/31/2021

1.5

Gather feedback on project scope from project team

Data Collection

12/1/2021

12/31/2021

1.6

Revise project scope to include feedback and finalize scope

Writing

1/1/2022

1/31/2022

Milestone 2: Data Collection

-

-

-

-

-

-

X

-

-

-

-

-

2.1

Nutrient reduction options literature review

Data Collection

9/1/2021

2/28/2022

2.2

Review of current nutrient reduction Decision Support Tools

Data Collection

9/1/2021

2/28/2022

2.3

Individual watershed characterizations

Data Collection

9/1/2021

1/31/2021

2.4

Design nutrient reduction targets and goals survey to query nutrient management community

Data Analysis

1/1/2022

1/31/2022

2.5

Conduct nutrient targets and goals survey

Data Collection

2/1/2022

2/28/2022

2.6

Design continuous monitoring station location prioritization excercise

Data Analysis

2/1/2022

3/31/2021

2.6

Synthesis of literature review and survey results

Data Processing

2/1/2022

3/31/2021

Milestone 3: Research and Development Plan and Application Plan

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

X

3.1

Draft Research and Development (R&D) Plan

Writing

4/1/2022

5/31/2022

3.2

Draft Application Plan

Writing

4/1/2022

5/31/2022

3.3

Gather feedback from project team and others on R&D and Application plans

Data Collection

6/1/2022

6/30/2022

3.4

Revise R&D Plan and Application Plan

Writing

7/1/2022

7/31/2022

3.5

Finalize R&D Plan and Application Plan

Writing

8/1/2022

8/31/2022

Milestone 4: Meetings and Workshops

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

X

-

4.1

Initial project meeting

Meetings

9/1/2021

9/30/2021

4.2

First scoping workshop (virtual)

Workshop

11/1/2021

11/30/2021

4.3

Final scoping meeting - review data synthesis and execute nutrient monitoring station prioritization excercize (virtual)

meetings

2/1/2022

3/1/2022

4.4

Meet for drafting R&D Plan and Application Plan

meetings

3/1/2022

4/1/2022

4.5

Meeting for final review and updates to R&D Plan and Application Plan (virtual)

meetings

7/1/2022

8/1/2022

Milestone 5: Reporting

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

X

5.1

Progress reports

Reporting

2/1/2021

8/31/2022

5.2

Science Program check ins (60 min web meeting)

Reporting

12/1/2021

6/30/2022

5.3

Prepare final report**

Reporting/ Data Management

8/1/2022

8/31/2022

* These activities should build upon the initial scoping activities described in your proposal

** Final report is due 120 days after the end of the period of performance