Guide on Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)
The Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) is a statistical tool used in project management for planning and controlling time schedules of complex projects.
Importance: PERT assists in identifying critical and non-critical tasks, minimizing project duration and costs, and providing early warning signals for risk management. It supports decision-making through its visual representation of the project’s tasks and dependencies.
What PERT is: PERT is a statistical tool that uses a flowchart-like diagram to illustrate the tasks involved in a project and predict its timeline. It considers the task dependencies, timeframes, and alternative paths to compute the shortest possible project duration.
How PERT works: The PERT chart is a diagram that represents tasks and their interdependencies. Each task is represented by an arrow and milestones are represented by nodes. The chart displays three time estimates for each task: the optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic times. The critical path, actual task sequence, and duration are then calculated.
Answering PERT-related questions in exams: When answering PERT related exam questions, focus should be on understanding the question scenario, identifying the tasks and sequence, determining the critical path, and analyzing how changes in task duration affect the project schedule.
Exam tips:
1. Understand the basics: Be thorough with fundamentals of PERT including optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely time, as well as their calculations.
2. Task Sequencing: Pay attention to the inter-dependencies between tasks. This understanding can help you answer questions about project duration and critical path.
3. Critical Path: Be clear what the critical path is and how it determines the total project time. Remember, deviations in critical tasks directly influence the project's timeline.
4. Changes in Task Durations: Understand how changes in task durations affect project timelines and total slack. Questions can often ask what effect a delay in a specific task would have.
5. Practice: Solve as many PERT-related problems as possible for better understanding and accuracy.
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Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) practice test
Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) is a statistical estimation tool used in project management to plan, analyze, and control uncertain activities within a project. It utilizes the concept of probabilistic time estimates for each activity, considering optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely durations. This approach allows PERT to calculate the expected duration of a project, identify potential bottlenecks, and assess the probability of meeting specific deadlines. It is especially useful for projects with a high degree of uncertainty and complexity.
Time: 5 minutes Questions: 5
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Go Premium
Project Management Professional Preparation Package (2024)
- Earn 35 PDUs needed for your PMP certification
- 12955 Superior-grade Project Management Professional practice questions.
- Accelerated Mastery: Deep dive into critical topics to fast-track your mastery.
- Unlock Effortless PMP preparation: 5 full exams.
- 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed: Full refund with no questions if unsatisfied.
- Bonus: If you upgrade now you get upgraded access to all courses
- Risk-Free Decision: Start with a 7-day free trial - get premium features at no cost!