Program Evaluation and Review Technique
(PERT) with ConceptDraw DIAGRAM
PERT method (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) is developed by the Ministry of Defense of the USA in 1958 in the framework of the project Polaris. PERT diagram is one of the tools for project management. With its help it is possible to analyze the time which is necessary for project execution and the consequence of tasks which involved into the project. The main advantage of such diagram type over the other diagram types is the possibility of calculation of the project fulfillment critical path that is the consequence of tasks which has the minimal float for execution and on which the total time for the whole project execution depends. If the task on the critical path is delayed than the execution of the whole project is delayed. There for it is important to calculate the critical path of the whole project execution and pay the most attention to tasks which appear on this way. PERT Diagram is a more realistic approach of a project's time estimate analysis. After PERT chart was constructed user can discover the shortest possible duration for entire project timescale. The project timeline is the longest chain that might be taken with connected tasks on the PERT Diagram. Completion of serial tasks need to be accomplished in a presented order. At a project timeline can be independent tasks that not linked with main sequence they are called parallel tasks. PERT diagram is more suitable for Critical Path Analysis than Gantt chart for the reason that it undoubtedly better figure task dependencies. Project managers customarily utilize both methodologies. It should be considered that PERT diagram does not give you ready concrete decisions but it helps you to find these decisions. PERT diagram is constructed by definite rules. It represents the set of tasks, connected between each other in the consecution of their execution. PERT benefits:
There are two variants of PERT diagram construction. In the first variant the duration is denoted on arrow connecting diagram nodes. Such diagram type is called AOA (activity on arrow). The second type of PERT diagram is called AON (activity on node). In such diagram the information about the task duration is denoted in the diagram node and each task is represented in the form of rectangle with the definite set of fields. These are the task name, duration, early and late starts and early and late finishes of the task and also the float for execution of the given task. Pic 1. PERT Diagram — AON (activity on node) With the help of ConceptDraw you can build diagrams of any type, but we recommend you using of AON variant, because such diagram type is easier for building and perception. PERT diagram starts from the task which does not have duration and does not use resources and presents just a project start. This is done to denote the common start of the project as starting from the first day of the project several tasks are starting simultaneously. Analogously PERT diagram finishes with the task “finish”. Pic 2. PERT Diagram No task is able to start before the preceding task is finished. Also each task may represent a separate project with its subtasks, which can be displayed on a separate diagram. In ConceptDraw this can be realized in the form of hyperlinks assigned to such tasks. These hyperlinks may point at some pages of your ConceptDraw document where the corresponding PERT diagrams are placed. Pic 3. PERT Diagram — Task Objects for PERT diagrams building are gathered in a separate ConceptDraw objects library. To start working it is enough to launch PERT Chart template from ConceptDraw STORE. To create a PERT diagram with ConceptDraw, it is enough to drag on a document page the number of ready objects, representing tasks, and then connect them between each other and fill out necessary task fields. Pic 4. PERT Diagram with ConceptDraw However, a Gantt chart gives more information than PERT diagram, and that assume to expand the information on it:
Task appeared on the calculated critical path are marked out with red color. This way any person is able to see at once tasks which require special attention. Pic 5. PERT Diagram — Critical Path ConceptDraw PERT diagram software works across any platform, meaning you never have to worry about compatibility again. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM allows you to make PERT diagram on PC or macOS operating systems. The samples you see on this page were created in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM using the Seven Management and Planning Tools solution, and demonstrate the solution's capabilities and the results you can achieve using this solution. |
Pic 6. Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) Diagram — Software Development Plan
The following features make ConceptDraw DIAGRAM the best Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) Diagram Software:
- You don't need to be an artist to draw professional looking diagrams in a few minutes.
- Large quantity of ready-to-use vector objects makes your drawing diagrams quick and easy.
- Great number of predesigned templates and samples give you the good start for your own diagrams.
- ConceptDraw DIAGRAM provides you the possibility to use the grid, rules and guides. You can easily rotate, group, align, arrange the objects, use different fonts and colors to make your diagram exceptionally looking.
- All ConceptDraw DIAGRAM documents are vector graphic files and are available for reviewing, modifying, and converting to a variety of formats: image, HTML, PDF file, MS PowerPoint Presentation, Adobe Flash, MS Visio.
- Using ConceptDraw STORE you can navigate through ConceptDraw Solution Park, managing downloads and updates. You can access libraries, templates and samples directly from the ConceptDraw STORE.
- If you have any questions, our free of charge support is always ready to come to your aid.