Creating Project Networks with PERT: Enhancing Output with Seamless Operations

In the recent past, different companies have been undertaking sophisticated projects to enhance their output. Such plans involve several operations that require the project managers to develop a strategy of performing them. These series of activities need individuals to create a network that enables them to perform the activities sequentially or parallel with other operations without collisions. A Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) are among the systems that are used in running complex projects within the stipulated time. This paper describes the PERT technique and how it is used to analyze the project of establishing a new I.T department for a company.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of PERT

PERT is defined as a network that enables the random performance of activities and ensures they are completed on time. This network was developed in the 1950s and was used in the projects of U.S Navy since it had massive contractors (PERT, 2010). Through the PERT analysis, the navy was able to reduce the cost and time that was used to complete the projects. Apart from enhancing time and cost efficiency, PERT also increases the probability of completing projects before the scheduled time. As a result, organizations engage in other projects and reduce the issues of the overlapping and incomplete tasks in the company. PERT is associated with weaknesses in spite of its advantages. Among the limitations that can occur is the underestimation of the completion time of the project, thus leading to the ineffectiveness of the network. However, the advantages overwhelm the disadvantages, thus proving the effectiveness of the technique.

The Process of Developing PERT

The process of conducting PERT analysis involves various steps in the region. The first step consists of the identification of the activities within the project. Secondly, one determined that sequence to be followed while conduction the project. In the third step, one constructs a network diagram for the activities. The fourth step involves the estimation of the time for the completion of each business. Upon the end of the fourth step, one determines the critical path to be followed in performing the operations. Lastly, the project managers update the network as the project progresses to mark the completed activities and their time of completion.

PERT Analysis

Activity Description Time Estimation

optimistic Most Likely Pessimistic

1 Problem definition 1wk 1.5 wks 2.5 wks

2 Allocation of resources 1wk 2wks 3wks

3 Acquisition of software 2wks 3wks 5 wks.

4 Acquisition of hardware 1wk 2.5wks 3.5wks

5 Training personnel 2wks 3wks 5wks

Total 7wks 12wks 19wks

References

NetMBA business knowledge center. (2010). PERT. NetMBA. Retrieved from http://www.netmba.com/operations/project/pert/Pinto, J. (2019). Project Management. New York, NY: Pearson Education Inc. Retrieved from https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780134730714/PM knowledge center. (2011). The Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT): Incorporating activity time variability in a project schedule. PMKC. Retrieved from http://www.pmknowledgecenter.com/node/59