Estimated

Identify Sequence the Identify Activities

Relationship Time For each
Activities Activities
Activity

CPM Estimated Allocate

Draw Network
GANTT/PERT Resource For People For
Diagram
Chart each Activity each Activity

Create Project
Chart
 CPM
Critical Path Method
Session-4
g. Critical Path Method (CPM)

A small set of activities, which make up the

longest path through the activity network
control the entire project.
GANTT / PERT
CHART
 What are they?

Gantt and PERT charts are both “CPM”

(Critical Path Method) tools to:
Comparison of Gantt and PERT Charts

 Gantt  PERT
 Visually shows  Visually shows
duration of tasks dependencies
 Visually shows time between tasks
overlap between tasks  Visually shows which
 Visually shows slack tasks can be done in
time parallel
 Shows slack time by
data in rectangles
Gantt Charts
Henry Laurence Gantt (1861-1919)
 Gantt Chart
• It is a project planning technique tool that can be used to
represent the timing of tasks required to complete a
project
• It helps the manger to
• List down the key activities related to project
• The minimum time each activity will take to finish
• Which task need to be completed before other can
start
• keep the team and sponsors informed of the
project progress

8
Steps in creating a Gantt chart

• List down the key activities related to project

• Determine the duration of each task
• Identify the type of relationship between activity
• Sequential
• Parallel
• Make a visual diagram on the basis of identified
activities and time calculation .
 For example

you have to plan a party for your friends and family

Step 1: list down key activities related to project

Sr. No. Activity

1 Decide on the date of party

2 Book bouncy castle

3 Send invitations

4 Receive replies
Step2: Determine the duration of each task

Sr.
Activity Time (hrs)
No.
A Decide on the date of party 5

B Book bouncy castle 3

C Send invitations 08

D Receive replies 12

• Remember you can take the time in days, hours etc..

 Cont…

Step 3: Identify the type of relationship (often called predecessors)

between activity
• Sequential: such activities which are dependent on the previous
activities
• Parallel: such activities which can be done at the same time.

Sr. No. Pred Activity Time (hrs)

A None Decide on the date of party 5

B A Book bouncy castle 3

C A Send invitations 08

D C Receive replies 12
Cont…

Step 4: Present in a visual diagram

• List each task down the vertical axis of chart
• In general, list tasks to be performed first at the top and then
move downward as the tasks will happen
• Use horizontal axis for the dates
• Determine start and finish dates for activities
• Consider which tasks must be completed or partially
completed before the next task
 Cont…

Decide party date

Book bouncy castle

Send invitations

Receive replies

0
5 10 15 20 25
Gantt Basics
Basically, a timeline with tasks that can be
connected to each other
 Can be created with simple tools like Excel, but
specialised tools like Microsoft Project make
life easier

15
 PERT Charts

Not named after Mr Pert!

Program Evaluation and Review Technique

 Cont…

• PERT/CPM Chart
• It is a project planning technique tool used to schedule, organize, and
coordinate tasks within a project. It presents a graphic illustration of a
project as a network diagram.
• The network diagram show
 The relationship between the tasks
 The sequence in which each task is performed

 The interdependence between tasks

Cont…

• A network diagram based on number of nodes and

arrows
• Arrows 
• An arrow leads from tail to head directionally and it represent a
interdependence of one activity on other
• Nodes 
• A node is represented by a circle and its shows activity with its minimum
completion time
Predecessor 1 2 Successor

A = 1 day B= 2 day

This means activity A starts at node 1 and it will take 1 day for
completion. Arrow sign goes from A to B which shows when activity A
finishes at node 2 then activity B will start which will take 2 days for
completion.
Example: Activity On Node

Sr. No. Pred. Activity Time (hrs)

A None Decide on the date of party 1
B A Check availability of bouncy castle 1
C B Send invitations 4
D C Receive replies 5
E D Buy toys and balloons 1
F D Buy food 3
G E Blow up balloons 2
H F Make food 1
I H,G Decorate 1
 Cont… E=1 G=2

A=1 B=1 C=4 D=5 I=1

F=3 H=1
 Cont… E=1 G=2

B=1 C=4 D=5 I=1

A=1

F=3 H=1
Which tasks are on the critical path?

Possible paths:
A,B,C,D,E,G,I = 2+3+1+4+3 = 15 days
A,B,D,F,H,I = 2+3+3+3+3 = 16 days

ANSWER: A,B,D,F,H,I
 Class Activity
Draw a PERT Chart and Calculate CPM
 Task Name Duration Predecessor

1 Alarm Goes Off 5 Min

2 Wake family 5 Min 1

3 Mom shower 40 Min 2

4 Son shower 30 Min 2

5 Walk dog 10Min 2

6 Father shower 15 Min 5

7 Prepare breakfast 15 Min 3

8 Eat breakfast 15 Min 7,4,6

9 Load car 5 Min 8

10 Drive to game 25 Min 9

11 Arrive at Game 0 Min 10

Questions
1. Draw a network diagram.
2. What tasks are on the critical path?
3. What is the minimum time it would take for the
family to reach the footy game after getting the
alarm goes off?
4. If mum skipped her 40 minutes shower, how much
earlier would they get to the game?
 MOM = 40 PB = 15

3 7
Alarm = 5 WF = 5 LC = 5 DRIVE = 25 ARRIVE = 0

1 2 4 8 9 10 11

SON = 30 EB = 15

5 6

WD = 10 FATHER = 15
 MOM = 40 PB = 15

3 7
Alarm = 5 WF = 5 LC = 5 DRIVE = 25 ARRIVE = 0

1 2 4 8 9 10 11

SON = 30 EB = 15

5 6

WD = 10 FATHER = 15

What is the critical path?

Path 1 = 5+5+40+15+15+5+25 = 110 min

Path 2 = 5+5+30+15+5+25 = 85
Path 3 = 5+5+10+15+15+5+25 = 80

The critical path is the longest path : path 1

27
 MOM = 40 PB = 15

3 7
Alarm = 5 WF = 5 LC = 5 DRIVE = 25 ARRIVE = 0

1 2 4 8 9 10 11

SON = 30 EB = 15

5 6

WD = 10 FATHER = 15

What is the minimum time it would take for the family to reach the footy
game after the alarm starts ringing?

The duration of the critical tasks… 110 minutes

28
 MOM = 40 PB = 15

3 7
Alarm = 5 WF = 5 LC = 5 DRIVE = 25 ARRIVE = 0

1 2 4 8 9 10 11

SON = 30 EB = 15

5 6

WD = 10 FATHER = 15

If mum skipped her 40 minute shower, how much

earlier would they get to the game?
• When the critical path is reduced by 40 minutes, it stops
being the critical path.
• Path 2, at 85 min, becomes the critical path.
• Since it is 25 min shorter than the original 110 minute critical
path, there is a 25 minute saving.
29
Another Class Activity
Draw a PERT Chart and Calculate CPM
 Suppose the team is tasked with improving the
process of building a house. The team lists the major
steps involved – everything from the excavation step
through the landscaping step.
Code Activity PREDESESSOR

A Excavate 5

B Foundation A 2

C Frame B 12

D Electrical C 9

E Roof C 5

F masonry C 8

G Interior E 10

H Exterior E 7

I Landscape H 5