The PERT Chart
Program Managers often utilize tools such as, the Program Evaluation and Review Technique or PERT charts. PERT charts help managers with planning the schedule of projects that involve sequential activities. A PERT chart identifies the amount of time that is required to complete the activities in a project, and the order of the steps that occurs throughout the project. Each activity is assigned an earliest and latest start time and end time; activities with no slack time are said to lie along the critical path, this is the path that must stay on time for the project to stay on schedule (Ingram, 2013).
One of the strengths that the PERT charts have is their ability to calculate exactly how long a project will take. They
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Gantt charts present information in the configuration of a bar chart. This presentation helps show the percentage of work completed for each task. The PERT chart displays information as a network model which means that a PERT chart presents an initial node from which tasks branch out. This aids the project managers to visualize the sequence of tasks, as they cannot start on the next activity until the one preceding it has been completed. I would prefer to use the PERT chart for this reason because it helps to take out one aspect or element of error. I would also complete a WBS along with a PERT chart.
References:
CPM & PERT Weaknesses & Strengths, David Ingram, Demand Media (2013), Retrieved on July 17, 2013, From, http://smallbusiness.chron.com/cpm-pert-weaknesses-strengths-1082.html
Difference Between Gantt Charts & Pert Charts, Michael Bryant, Demand Media (2013), Retrieved on July 17, 2013, From, http://smallbusiness.chron.com/difference-between-gantt-charts-pert-charts-43848.html
Henry Gantt's legacy to Management is the Gantt Chart, Gantt Charts (2013), Retrieved on July 17, 2013, From, http://www.ganttchart.com/history.html
What is a Gantt chart, Gantt.com, (2012), Retrieved on July 17, 2013, From, http://www.gantt.com/
Advantages and Disadvantages of Gantt Charts, Project Management Charts, PM Hut (2009), Retrieved on
Critical path analysis identifies the most efficient and cost effective way of completing a complex project. The various activities which together will make up the project are identified, and the order of these activities are identified. Then, the duration of each activity is estimated and these factors are then arranged as a network or graph, showing the whole project from start to finish, and showing which tasks can happen at the same time. The sequence of tasks which have to be done one after another with no gaps in between is called the Critical Path.
There will be deadlines set for the VP of Tech for on development estimates, and another deadline for the PM on Project Plan and Gant Chart
It is basically a network diagram with multiple boxes with labels that represent events, and then directional lines which represent tasks. A number can be written underneath the directional lines to indicate the amount of time needed. For a group project that would last 2-3 months, I would use the Gantt chart. A Gantt chart can accomplish what a complicated PERT chart would do, it would be more pleasing towards the eye as there wouldn’t be so many moving parts in the assignment (I’m assuming this group project isn’t terribly complicated). Things that would be needed to be done simultaneously can easily be expressed and understood with a Gantt chart (overlap of bars and weeks). For example, on the y-axis of the Gantt chart, my group would list our activities: 1) Conduct research, 2) Analyze data and then 3) Prepare for presentation then present. On the x-axis, we would list the number of weeks needed (12 weeks in this case). The bar for 1) will span week 1 –
Hand in a Gantt chart either directly produced from Microsoft Project OR filled in electronically from the template Excel worksheet made available by the instructor OR created by manually filling in the blank Gantt charts made available by the instructor. Activity completion can be deemed equivalent to elapsed time spent on the activity.
There are many types of project management tools. From proprietary licensed tools such as Smartsheet for Salesforce, Oracle Project Planning and Control and Microsoft Project and Portfolio Management; to theoretical project management tools such as Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT), Gantt charts and Critical Path Method (CPM). All of these tools aim to streamline the planning,
In the case of our landscape project we have five milestones inserted into our Gantt chart. They are at task 2 Design backyard, task 4 Get quotes for purchases, task 5 get quotes for contractors, task 11 level yard and task 20 make payments.
The information from the present dashboard confirms the tasks crucial to the project cost and the project duration. The setting up of milestones would allow the project manager to evaluate the impact of these tasks on the achievement of each milestone. Thus, there will be a reliable and easy to use duration or cost milestone during the project, which is more beneficial than having to wait until the
The Gantt chart is used for the scheduling of project tasks to show the start and finish dates, as well as the duration. This helps to see the duration for the entire project, making sure that there is no overlapping of the task to ensure there is no overlapping. The assistant manger is the main one to see the schedules follow through this will include the making sure the staff show up to their set schedules while the project also stays on track with the schedule. The Gantt chart is really great for the development of the schedule.
Monitoring Tools There are many monitoring tools for projects but one of the most common is a Gantt chart as displayed within this assessment, other tools include Project Critical Path Analysis and Brainstorming. PMBOK is a guide that sets a standard terminology and guideline for project management. It explains the processes and steps that overlap and interact
In almost every business, project management is critically important. The critical path method (CPM) will provide a timeline for the project manager for when tasks should be completed. In addition, providing a deadline and the negative effects it will have on the following successors if not completed on time. These many task are interdepended. Therefore, the CPM provides the start and finishes times of the tasks, and identifies the few tasks on the critical path that the project manager should observe to determine which task needs the most attention. Already discovering and incorporating the details the task or assignments may require, CPM calculates all task times, which can be measured in hours, days, weeks, and months. For any unintended manually input errors, a warning message will be provided. Including an automatic successor generator, task numbering comment, and data validation, makes it easier on the project manager.
For the Week 6 Discussion you will create a Gantt chart for one element of the St. Dismas case study project. Using a project management tool like MS Project is typically the easiest and fastest way to do this. However, it is not the only way. You can use MS Office products as well to create the Gantt Chart.
So we will set up milestones that show deadlines the date, mean by finish a task which a milestone is a task with zero duration. We think that a milestone is most important in a log cabin project as it show important dates on the project plan and often key events, but it does not affect any of the Gantt chart calculations. Overall, the work breakdown structure (WBS) to make complex a log cabin project more management while the WBS is designed to help breakdown this project into manageable chunk that can be effectively estimated. Also a WBS helps to explain a log cabin project scope to the stakeholder, supplier and labor.
While projects can be similar in some instances, no two projects are ever the same. For this reason, management of projects requires the application of tools and techniques to meet the goals of the temporary endeavor. Project managers apply these tools and techniques to determine what is required for project delivery such as the list of activities to completed, the time required to complete the activities, resources needed and the various risks associated with the deliverable and efforts. A multitude of tools and techniques are employed by the project manager based on the need of the effort to organize, identify and communicate the various aspects of the project. While in contrast, the repetitive nature of operations activities
One the one hand, the fertility of the industry opened the doors to corporations that sighted substantial growth potential. New entrants with big pockets such as Walmart could pose a certain threat to Netflix, by exploiting a playing card based on cost reduction. On the other hand, barriers to entry became relatively significant as established video rental retailers such as Netflix have the experience and the knowhow to market movies to people. In this industry, firms that do not have a technological advantage can’t compete. The best example is Netflix’s CineMatch program that offered personalized film recommendations based on customer’s rental patterns. This way, Netflix was able to better serve its subscribers. From a cost perspective, the movie rental industry requires high capital expenditures, and the major expenses are highly related to acquisitions of DVD library and investments in technology (exhibit 2 continued). Thus, we may say that entry is difficult in this industry as the competing firms have reputation, experience and recognizable brand names.
The PERT method requires three estimates of time; optimistic, most likely and pessimistic. This method assumes that actual project times are distributed according to the beta probability distribution. Most time estimates often exceed the best estimate or the most likely estimate because managers like to be optimistic with their time estimates.