What are the steps involved in the PERT planning process?
Article shared by Show Project scheduling by PERT/CPM consist of following steps: (Fig.27.1). STEP-I: Planning:The planning phase is started by splitting the total project into small projects. These smaller projects, in turn, are divided into activities and are analysed by the department or a section. The relationship of each activity with respect to other activities are defined and established and the corresponding responsibilities and the authority are also stated. Thus, the possibility of over- looking any task necessary for the completion of the project is reduced substantially. image source: slideteam.net STEP-II: Scheduling:The ultimate objective of the scheduling phase is to prepare a time chart showing the start and finish time for each activity as well as its relationship to other activities of the project. Moreover, the schedule must pinpoint the critical path activities which require special attention if the project is to be completed in time. For non-critical activities, the schedule must show the amount of slack or float times which can be used advantageously when such activities are delayed or when limited resources are to be utilized effectively. In this phase, it is possible to resource requirements such as time, manpower, money, machines etc. STEP-III: Allocation of Resources:Allocation of resources is performed to achieve the desired objective. A resource is a physical variable such as labour, finance, equipment and space which will impose a limitation on time for the project. When resources are limited and conflicting demands are made for the same type of resource, a systematic method for allocation of resources become essential. Resource allocation usually incurs a compromise and the choice of this compromise depends on the judgement of managers. STEP-IV: Controlling:The final phase in project management is controlling. Critical path method facilitates the application of the principle of management by exception to identify areas that are critical to the completion of the project. By having progress reports from time to time and updating the network continuously, a better financial as well as technical control over the project is exercised. Arrow diagrams and time charts are used for making periodic progress reports. If necessary, new courses of action are determined for the remaining portion of the project. A PERT chart, sometimes called a PERT diagram, is a project management tool used to schedule, organize and coordinate tasks within a project. It provides a graphical representation of a project's timeline that enables project managers to break down each individual task in the project for analysis. The PERT chart template uses nodes -- drawn as rectangles or circles -- to represent events and milestones throughout the project. The nodes are connected by vectors -- drawn as lines -- which represent the various tasks that need to be completed. PERT charts provide project managers with an estimation of the minimum amount of time needed to complete a project. Managers can also analyze the work breakdown and task connections, as well as assess the risk associated with the project. The breakdown structure makes it easy to organize a complex project with a variety of moving parts by visualizing the dependencies between each step of the process. PERT stands for Program Evaluation Review Technique, a methodology developed by the U.S. Navy in the 1950s to manage the Polaris submarine missile program. A similar methodology, the critical path method (CPM) was developed for project management in the private sector at about the same time.
TerminologyHere is a list of terms associated with PERT charts:
How a PERT chart worksA PERT chart presents a graphic illustration of a project as a network diagram consisting of numbered nodes linked by labeled vectors. The direction of the arrows on the lines indicates the sequence of tasks. When creating a PERT chart, project managers should follow the below steps:
Once the PERT chart is drawn, project managers can use it to develop a realistic time frame for the project:
A breakdown of a PERT chart In the diagram, for example, the tasks between nodes 1, 2, 4, 8 and 10 must be completed in sequence. These are called dependent or serial tasks. The tasks between nodes 1 and 2 and nodes 1 and 3 are not dependent on the completion of one to start the other and can be undertaken simultaneously. These tasks are called parallel or concurrent tasks. Tasks that must be completed in sequence but that don't require resources or completion time are considered to have event dependency. These are represented by dotted lines with arrows and are called dummy activities. For example, the dashed arrow linking nodes 6 and 9 indicates that the system files must be converted before the user test can take place but that the resources and time required to prepare for the user test -- writing the user manual and user training -- are on another path. Numbers on the opposite sides of the vectors indicate the time allotted for the task. When to use a PERT chartPERT charts should be used when a project manager needs to:
Project managers find best results when they use a PERT chart at the beginning of the project. Doing so helps ensure the project is accurately scoped and can help avoid any potential bottlenecks in the process. Advantages of PERT chartsProject managers use PERT charts to gain these benefits:
Disadvantages of PERT chartsDisadvantages of the PERT chart include the following:
PERT chart vs. Gantt chartThe PERT chart is sometimes preferred over the Gantt chart, another popular visual tool for project managers, because it clearly illustrates task dependencies. On the other hand, the PERT chart can be more difficult to interpret, especially on complex projects. Frequently, project managers use both techniques.
This was last updated in February 2021 Continue Reading About PERT chart
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How many steps are involved in PERT?4 Basic Steps in Network (PERT/CPM) Techniques.
What do you mean by PERT explain the various steps in PERT?Program evaluation and review technique (PERT) is a technique adopted by organizations to analyze and represent the activity in a project, and to illustrate the flow of events in a project. PERT is a method to evaluate and estimate the time required to complete a task within deadlines.
What is PERT planning?Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT) is a project management planning tool used to calculate the amount of time it will take to realistically finish a project. PERT charts are used to plan tasks within a project — making it easier to schedule and coordinate team members.
What are the six 6 Steps in PERT and CPM?There are six steps in the critical path method:. Step 1: Specify Each Activity. ... . Step 2: Establish Dependencies (Activity Sequence) ... . Step 3: Draw the Network Diagram. ... . Step 4: Estimate Activity Completion Time. ... . Step 5: Identify the Critical Path. ... . Step 6: Update the Critical Path Diagram to Show Progress.. |