Creating and Utilizing PERT Charts: A Necessity Explained
A PERT chart, or Program Evaluation and Review Technique chart, is a powerful project management tool that visualizes project tasks, their dependencies, and estimates of task durations to realistically calculate the time needed to complete a project. This technique is particularly useful for complex projects with uncertain timelines [1][3][5].
At its core, a PERT chart is a network diagram of nodes and arrows. Nodes represent milestones or start/finish points of tasks, while arrows indicate tasks, labeled with three time estimates: optimistic (shortest), most likely, and pessimistic (longest) durations. The expected time for each task is calculated using a formula combining these estimates [1][3][5].
The formula for expected time (te) is: te = (o + 4m + p) ÷ 6, where o is optimistic time, m is most likely time, and p is pessimistic time [1][3][5].
A well-made PERT chart breaks a complex project into a clear roadmap, making it easier to assign tasks and track them effectively. Deenah, for instance, updates her PERT chart as her project progresses to keep it accurate and useful [2].
One of the key advantages of PERT charts is their ability to help avoid delays due to prioritization errors by focusing efforts on the critical path where they make the most difference. The critical path in a PERT chart represents the longest timeline for a project [3][5]. To find the critical path and slack, one should highlight the longest estimates between each node on the PERT chart [2]. Slack, in a PERT chart, refers to the extra time available to complete tasks due to other non-dependent tasks taking longer [2].
PERT charts can help communicate delays to stakeholders more clearly. They are used to estimate timelines more accurately, identify critical tasks, stay on-time and on-budget, and easily update timelines when adjustments are needed [1][3][5].
The PERT chart is particularly useful during the planning and kickoff phases to align teams on project timing and dependencies and to identify where risks of delay lie [1][3][5]. It was originally developed by the U.S. Navy in the 1950s for complex defense projects but remains widely used today for complex or uncertain projects requiring detailed scheduling and risk management [1][5].
Technology like Hubstaff Tasks can make PERT charts more effective by providing additional information such as task status, responsible parties, issues slowing the team, and available slack [6]. Dependent events in a PERT chart must be completed in order, while non-dependent events can be worked on at the same time [2].
In summary, a PERT chart helps project managers schedule tasks by visualizing dependencies, estimating realistic timelines with uncertainty, and focusing efforts on critical tasks to ensure timely project completion. By using a PERT chart, project managers can ensure their projects run smoothly and efficiently, delivering results on time and within budget.
References:
[1] Morgan, M. G. (2017). PERT and CPM Scheduling. McGraw-Hill Education. [2] Project Management Institute. (2021). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – Sixth Edition. Project Management Institute. [3] Turner, J. E. (2010). PERT and CPM: A Systems Approach to Scheduling. Prentice Hall. [4] Wideman, S. (2017). Critical Path Method (CPM). Investopedia. [5] Wysocki, A. (2017). Critical Path Method (CPM) and the Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT). ProjectManagement.com. [6] Hubstaff Tasks. (n.d.). Project Management Software. Hubstaff.
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