Question

Describe with diagrams two techniques you would implement for the effective control of the project

Answer 1

Answer:

Two techniques for the effective control of the project:

#)Mathematical analysis

The first two techniques used by project managers are Critical Path Method (CPM) and Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT). You can use these methods to calculate the assumed start and finish dates, based on the known scope of the project.

1)Critical Path Method

Let’s take a look at the CPM, first. Think of the critical path as of your project’s tree diagram. The Critical Path Method helps you uncover the longest possible timeline for the project, as well as the shortest one. With the CPM you’ll also be able to mark critical tasks and the ones that may float. Changes in the latter’s delivery won’t affect the schedule.

To use the CPM, you need to know your project’s scope and list all of the tasks necessary for its completion. Next, estimate how long each task may take. After that, you should also note all dependencies between the tasks. This way you know which ones can be done separately, and which ones require previous tasks to be completed. Lastly, add milestones and deliverables to your project.

A critical path helps to visualize the project flow and calculate its duration when all dependencies and deliverables are known. This technique may not be so handy if there are many uncertainties in the project.

2) Program Evaluation and Review Technique

Similar to a critical path, PERT is a way to visualize tasks’ flow in the project and estimate the timeline based on their assumed duration. This technique also illustrates dependencies between tasks.

To schedule a project using PERT, just like in CPM you will need to define tasks and their order first, based on your project’s milestones. Using a network framework similar to CPM, consisting of these tasks, you can estimate different timelines for a project depending on the level of confidence:

• Optimistic timing
• Most-likely timing
• Pessimistic timing

Although it looks very similar to CPM, PERT uses weighted average duration rather than estimates to calculate possible timeframes.

A disadvantage of this approach is also a need to know the tasks and dependencies between them in order to fully benefit from this technique.

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