Which tool is typically used for planning in engineering design?

The Gantt chart is typically used for planning in engineering design due to its ability to visually outline the timeline for a project. It helps in scheduling tasks, tracking progress, and ensuring that all parts of a project are coordinated effectively. With a Gantt chart, project managers and teams can see the start and end dates of each task, how long each task is expected to take, and how tasks overlap in time. This visual representation makes it easier to identify critical paths, allocate resources efficiently, and meet deadlines.

In contrast, design sketches are more focused on the conceptual stage of a product or project and do not provide the comprehensive planning framework that a Gantt chart does. A customer diary may contain valuable feedback from users but is not used for project scheduling or management. A vendor list could be useful for procurement processes but lacks the planning capabilities that the Gantt chart offers for project timelines and task management. Thus, the Gantt chart stands out as the primary tool for planning in engineering design.