The PERT/CPM Technique

Abstract

Completing a project on time and within budget is not an easy task. The project scheduling phase plays a central role in predicting both the time and cost aspects of a project. More precisely, it determines a timetable in order to be able to predict the expected time and cost of each individual activity. In this chapter, the basic critical path calculations of a project schedule are highlighted and the fundamental concept of an activity network is presented. Throughout all chapters of Part 1, it is assumed that a project is not subject to a limited amount of resources. The project is structured in a network to model the precedences between the various project activities. The basic concepts of project network analysis are outlined and the Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) is discussed as an easy yet effective scheduling tool for projects with variability in the activity duration estimates.