I'm just beginning a PhD project and need to start planning it. I'd like to use software to keep track of my plan, since I'll need to modify it and present it to different people in different ways, as well as use it as a guide for myself. I'll want the software to be able to summarise or give details, showing information in textual and graphical forms (e.g. Gantt diagrams). Can anyone recommend software that they have used for this purpose? I don't think I need all the features of MS Project. Does anyone here think there are alternatives that will suit my pretty basic needs?

You could try one of the many diary programs out there - filling in the start/stop dates and making repeating entries for projects should be able to supply something similar to Gantt charts.

I have just started using Essential PIM which is freeware for my diary needs - it's not very pretty though.