Do I need one?
Not necessarily. What matters is having a realistic plan and evidence of how the project developed. Check the format expected by your school, college and awarding body.
Free EPQ planning tool
Build an EPQ Gantt chart that fits your project.
Turn your dates into an editable plan from question development to presentation. No account, email or fixed template required.
Build my timelineQuick answer
A Gantt chart shows tasks against time.
It can make an EPQ easier to manage by showing when research, analysis, drafting, revision, presentation and reflection need attention.
It is a planning aid, not a universal required format. Follow your centre’s process and use the production log or activity log your awarding body provides.
Use it as a living plan
Update dates when research changes direction. Record delays and decisions rather than pretending the first plan was perfect.
Protect the final stages
Leave deliberate time for evaluation, revision, presentation preparation and reflection—not just the initial research.
EPQ Gantt chart example
One possible five-month plan
This fictional dissertation asks: “To what extent has social media changed political participation among UK first-time voters since 2019?” It gives research the largest block, but reserves time to analyse, revise, present and reflect.
Why this shape? Source collection overlaps with evaluation, the first-draft milestone arrives before the final deadline, and presentation work is visible rather than squeezed into the final day.
Illustrative example — adapt it to your own project
7 Sept 2026 – 24 Jan 2027
TaskMilestone
Refine the question and agree scope
7 Sept 2026 – 20 Sept 2026
Collect and evaluate sources
21 Sept 2026 – 8 Nov 2026
Analyse evidence and plan argument
9 Nov 2026 – 29 Nov 2026
First draft complete
Milestone30 Nov 2026
Review, revise and finalise
1 Dec 2026 – 10 Jan 2027
Presentation and reflection
11 Jan 2027 – 24 Jan 2027
Interactive EPQ Gantt chart builder
Start with the dates you actually have.
The suggested plan is a starting point. Generate it, then rename, move, add, delete or re-date tasks until it reflects your project and supervisor discussions.
Keep the evidence of your decisions
A useful plan is allowed to change.
Date important changes and explain what caused them.
Protect time for source evaluation, not just source collection.
Add supervisor reviews as milestones.
Plan presentation and reflection before the final week.
AQA’s current specification describes planning, supervisor reviews, presentation and evaluation. Pearson’s student guidance describes project-management milestones and an activity log. Always use the documents and deadlines set by your own centre.
EPQ Gantt chart questions
What is an EPQ Gantt chart?
It is a visual project plan that places tasks and milestones against dates. It helps you see what should happen when, where stages overlap and how much time remains.
Do I have to use a Gantt chart for my EPQ?
Not necessarily. Awarding bodies require planning and evidence of project development, but your centre or supervisor decides which planning format you should use. A Gantt chart is one useful option.
Should my EPQ Gantt chart change?
Yes. Treat it as a living plan. Record important changes, explain why they happened and discuss major adjustments with your supervisor.
What should I include?
Include the main work needed for your project: question development, research, source evaluation, analysis, drafting or development, revision, presentation and reflection. Adapt the tasks to your project type and centre.