Networks, PERT and CPM: In summary

Data Required

  • List of activities

  • Relationship between activities

  • Activity durations

Output Information

  • Project completion time

  • Critical activities

  • Slack time

Advantages

  • Forces planning at all levels

  • Shows relationships/dependencies

  • Facilitates alternative planning

  • Makes possible feed-forward control

  • Prevents elements being overlooked

Disadvantages

  • Complex to implement

  • Extensive data requirements

  • Expensive to maintain

  • Emphasizes time rather than cost

  • Not useful when tasks are nebulous or when they are routine and recurring