Program evaluation and review technique

Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)

Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) is a project management method used to analyze and schedule tasks within a project. It was developed in the late 1950s by the United States Navy to manage the Polaris submarine missile program. PERT is a valuable tool for planning, coordinating, and controlling complex projects, particularly those with uncertain or variable durations.

History

PERT was initially developed by the U.S. Navy's Special Projects Office in collaboration with the consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton. The technique was created to address the challenges of managing large-scale projects with multiple interdependent tasks. PERT was first implemented in the Polaris missile program, which aimed to develop a submarine-launched ballistic missile system.

Methodology

PERT utilizes a network diagram to represent the sequence of activities and their dependencies within a project. The network diagram consists of nodes, which represent the activities, and arrows, which represent the dependencies between activities. Each activity is assigned an estimated duration, and the network diagram helps visualize the critical path, which is the longest sequence of dependent activities that determines the project's overall duration.

Key Concepts

Activities

Activities in PERT represent the individual tasks required to complete a project. Each activity has a unique identifier, an estimated duration, and a set of dependencies on other activities. Activities can be further categorized as either immediate or dependent.

Nodes

Nodes in PERT represent the activities within the network diagram. Each node is labeled with the activity's identifier and estimated duration. Nodes are connected by arrows to indicate the flow of dependencies between activities.

Arrows

Arrows in PERT represent the dependencies between activities. They indicate the sequence in which activities must be completed. Arrows are labeled with the type of dependency, such as "finish-to-start" or "start-to-start," and the estimated time lag between activities.

Critical Path

The critical path in PERT is the longest sequence of dependent activities that determines the project's overall duration. Any delay in activities along the critical path will directly impact the project's completion time. Identifying the critical path is crucial for effective project scheduling and resource allocation.

Benefits

PERT offers several benefits for project management:

• Improved project planning: PERT helps identify the sequence of activities and their dependencies, allowing for better project planning and resource allocation.
• Enhanced coordination: PERT facilitates communication and coordination among project team members, ensuring a smooth flow of activities.
• Risk assessment: PERT allows for the identification of critical activities and potential bottlenecks, enabling proactive risk management.
• Time and cost estimation: PERT provides a framework for estimating project duration and resource requirements, aiding in budgeting and scheduling.

Limitations

While PERT is a powerful project management technique, it does have some limitations:

• Complexity: PERT can become complex and time-consuming for projects with a large number of activities and dependencies.
• Uncertainty: PERT relies on estimated durations for activities, which may introduce uncertainty and variability into project scheduling.
• Lack of flexibility: PERT assumes that activities have fixed durations and dependencies, which may not always hold true in real-world projects.

Applications

PERT has been widely adopted in various industries and sectors, including construction, engineering, software development, and research. It is particularly useful for projects with high levels of complexity, uncertainty, and interdependencies.

See Also

• Project Management
• Critical Path Method
• Gantt Chart