How PERT builds up on CPM
In project management it is necessary to use a tool which states how the project is going. The project manger face the challenge of planning, coordinating and monitoring the project, which can be difficult if no tool is at hand [1]. Therefore, project managers often use the Critical Path Method (CPM) to do those things. The tool gives a good overview of how a project progresses. Over the years, CPM has been used in a white range of projects. For example, in building constructions, maintenance of equipment, design and installation of management systems, organizing transportation projects and so many more. [2]
The critical path method organizes project’s tasks, which need to be done to complete a project, and estimate how much time it will take. Also, the method shows what tasks are sensitive in a project because these tasks may take more time. [3] This method shows visually how the tasks relate to one and another. [4]
In this article will first go through the history of the critical path method and how the method has been improved over the years. Then, some key concepts will be described and defined. Furthermore, the critical path method and PERT will be explained and an example taken and calculated to see how the methods work. Advantages and limitations of these methods will be listed and described. In the end, will be gone through what the differences are of CPM and PERT.
Contents |
History
Gone through the major milestones.
Definitions
Path
Critical path
Critical path method
Earliest start time (EST)
Earliest finish time (EFT)
Latest start time (LST)
Latest finish time (LFT)
The Method
Forward pass
Backward pass
Slack
