A PERT chart is a project management tool used to schedule, organize, and coordinate tasks within a project.

PERT stands for Program Evaluation

2 Review Technique, a methodology developed by the U.S. Navy in the 1950s to manage the Polaris submarine missile program. A similar
methodology, the Critical Path Method (CPM) was developed for project management in the private sector at about the same time.
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PERT chart (Program Evaluation Review Technique)

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A PERT chart presents a graphic illustration of a project as a network diagram consisting of numbered nodes (either circles or rectangles)
representing events, or milestones in the project linked by labelled vectors (directional lines) representing tasks in the project. The direction of the
arrows on the lines indicates the sequence of tasks. In the diagram, for example, the tasks between nodes 1, 2, 4, 8, and 10 must be completed in
sequence. These are called dependent or serial tasks. The tasks between nodes 1 and 2, and nodes 1 and 3 are not dependent on the completion of
one to start the other and can be undertaken simultaneously. These tasks are called  parallel or concurrent tasks. Tasks that must be completed in
sequence but that don't require resources or completion time are considered to have event dependency. These are represented by dotted lines
with arrows and are called dummy activities. For example, the dashed arrow linking nodes 6 and 9 indicates that the system files must be converted
before the user test can take place, but that the resources and time required to prepare for the user test (writing the user manual and user training)
are on another path. Numbers on the opposite sides of the vectors indicate the time allotted for the task.

The PERT chart is sometimes preferred over the Gantt chart, another popular project management charting method, because it clearly illustrates
task dependencies. On the other hand, the PERT chart can be much more difficult to interpret, especially on complex projects. Frequently, project
managers use both techniques.

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Getting started with PERT charts

Here are some additional resources for learning about how PERT charts and other project management tools are used in the enterprise:
Project management tools and strategies: The Gantt chart and the PERT chart are probably the two best known charts in project management.
Each of these can be used for scheduling, but because Gantt charts don't illustrate task dependencies and PERT charts can be confusing, PMs
often use both.
Project management charts: Beyond Gantt: Gantt charts are good for certain purposes, explains project management expert David Christiansen,
but there are other charts PMs have at their disposal.
This was last updated in May 2007

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Critical Tools provides a PERT chart product.

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kolawole — 2 Mar 2016   6:50 PM

It is only the government activities that can make use of PERT.

t  

AlbertGareev — 8 Mar 2016   1:30 AM

Doesn't seem to be compatible with Agile methods. No iterations. Unclear how a feedback is propagated, if there's any.

t  
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