Advantages Of Pert And CPM


PERT and CPM are two essential techniques used in project management. In this article, we will discuss various advantages of PERT and CPM methods and their differences.

What Is PERT?

PERT or Programme Evaluation and Review Technique is an event oriented method of network planning. In it, the emphasis is focused on start and completion events rather than on activities. The activities taking place between events are not specified.

In PERT network, the events fall in logical sequence. But the logic of events may be different for different planners. Hence PERT network may vary from planner to planner depending upon their decision as which event to precede or occur concurrently.

In PERT network the start circle is omitted and only the completed event is recorded. PERT helps in identifying critical area which threatens the completion of the work. It provides the means to determine how resources can be transferred from one job to another job.

advantages of pert and cp

What Is CPM?

CPM is also network comprising events and activities. This network is activity based. The activities are represented by arrowed lines and events by circles. The activities are connected in logical sequence. The time allotted to each activity is related to cost.

cpm network

Advantages Of Pert And CPM:

The various advantages of PERT and CPM methods are summarized below.

1. In the network technique of planning and scheduling, one is compelled to examine the complete project in advance and interact with everyone who is to be involved in the project thereby evolving a workable plan of the project. One is also forced to decide upon the extent of splitting of the project into smaller activities and to establish logical relationship between different activities.

2. It helps in dividing activities function wise and responsibility wise which makes it possible to co-ordinate the works of different agencies involved in the completion of the project.

3. It enables one to determine reasonably correct schedule for the completion of different events and the project as a whole based on the availability of resources (i.e. men, material, money, and machines, etc.

4. It permits one to take advanced actions and timely decisions to reduce delays in the completion of different events.

5. It permits greater flexibility in having optimum utilization of resources thereby affecting the economy.

6. It identifies activities critical to different stages of project completion which in turn enables the management to pay greater attention to fewer activities instead of concentrating on all activities at all times with equal emphasis.

7. It enables one to exercise effective control on the project by way of periodic review and to adopt timely corrective measures to minimize slippage in the completion of the project.

Difference Between PERT and CPM:

1. PERT is event oriented whereas CPM is activity oriented. In simple words, in PERT network interest is focused upon start or completion of events and not on activities themselves.

2. In CPM network no allowance is made for uncertainties in the duration of time involved whereas in PERT network uncertainty is considered.

3. In PERT, time is not related to cost whereas in CPM the object is to develop an optimum time cost relationship. However, PERT has since been extended in this direction and the line dividing PERT/CPM is gradually fading out.

4. In CPM duration of activity is estimated with a fair degree of accuracy. In PERT duration of activities are not so accurate and definite.

5. In CPM both time and cost can be controlled during planning. Pert is a tool for planning.

6. PERT is used in research and development projects, basically for non-repetitive type projects.

CPM is widely used in construction projects.

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