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Information Technology - PERT diagrams (network diagrams)

PERT Diagrams (network diagrams)

PERT diagrams or critical path networks use a graphical form to show
relationships between activities and time frames.

Image. Part of a PERT diagram. Notice that for each event start and finish
dates are included.

They differ from GANTT charts in that they are better at identifying the
relationship between tasks rather than the progress of tasks over time.

Key elements in developing a PERT diagram:

* Activities - list of activities in the project and their dependencies

* Nodes/Events - indicating the beginning or end of an activity

* Network lines show the interdependence of events

* Indication of the critical path - the sequence of dependent events that
have the sum of longest duration

* Indication of slack time - events not on the critical path usually have
slack time, extra time for that event that does not effect the timing of
other events thus not effecting the project time. That means that can fall
behind schedule and there is no impact on the project completion date.

If you wish to have a play with creating your own GANTT charts and PERT
diagrams, there a number of trial versions available on the Internet. Try
the following web sites:

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