Mary SwansonProject Manager| State of Minnesota - MN.ITsCottage Grove, Mn, United States
I'm quite new as a PM and doing research on Critial Path. What I'm not understanding is the nuance between CPM and PERT for determining the critial path. It looks like CPM is used for complex but routine projects and PERT charting is used for development project and dealing with uncertainty. Is it the way estimating time(formulas) that are difference? What are the pros and cons of each method? How do they work in the "real" project world. Any help (or more information on Critial Path) is greatly appreciated!
I use a WBS together with Networkdiagrams to secure a proper planning and follow up of my projects. Indipendently of size of the project, small as big, easy as complex ones. When having a good and solid networkdiagram you are able to quite easily identify the Critical line and in that way do some good risk mitigation to keep the CL under close watch.
I also recommend you to use the PERT to estimate activities. Estimated time= (best case*(4*most likely)*worst case)/6
