Question

What is the background of CPM and PERT? What are the differences between the two

techniques?

Answer 1

Project management refers to planning, organizing and managing the effort to accomplish a successful project.

Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) and Critical Path Method (CPM) are two network based project management techniques that exhibit the flow and sequence of activities and events. Both are used for the successful completion of projects. Both divide a project into a number of smaller activities.

PERT

PERT was developed by US navy for the planning and control of the Polaris Mission Program. The focus was on completing the project at the shortest time possible. PERT is used in projects where the time required to complete different activities is not known. It focuses on time cost tradeoff.

CPM

CPM was developed by Du Pont to solve project scheduling problems. The focus was on the tradeoff between the cost and completion time of the project. CPM is used for projects that are recurring. It focuses on time.

Differences between PERT and CPM:

1. PERT is used to manage uncertain activities of a project. While, CPM is used to manage well-defined activities.
2. PERT is event oriented while CPM is activities oriented.
3. PERT uses a probabilistic model while CPM uses a deterministic model.
4. PERT is non-repetitive in nature while CPM is repetitive in nature.
5. PERT is a technique of planning and control of time while CPM is a technique to control time and cost.

I hope that was helpful :)