Fundamentals of project management: Is PERT (Programme Evaluation and Review Technique) a recognised technique for project planning and control?

Introduction / Context:
PERT is a probabilistic technique developed to plan and control projects with uncertain activity durations. It complements CPM, which traditionally uses deterministic times, but both are used for planning, scheduling, and control.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Projects consist of interdependent activities with precedence constraints.
• Uncertainty in task durations is material (R&D, new-product development).

Concept / Approach:
PERT models activity time with three estimates: optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic. Expected time te = (to + 4tm + tp) / 6. By building a network, one identifies the critical path, expected project duration, and variance for schedule risk analysis.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Compare with CPM: while approaches differ in time estimates, both are used widely for planning and control, validating the statement.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
“No” ignores the well-documented use of PERT for project planning and monitoring.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming PERT eliminates uncertainty; it structures and quantifies it, aiding control decisions.

Final Answer:
Yes