CPM Scheduling Techniques

Using CPM Scheduling Techniques with Others

Starting out on a new project? CPM and other scheduling techniques can help you visualize the steps to reach your end goal.

They will make it easier for you to map out key tasks, break down major milestones and set deadlines, and improve the quality and output of your work.

So, ready to learn more about CPM scheduling techniques like PERT and Gantt charts? Read on and see how you can use these to create a reliable schedule for any complex project!

Common CPM Scheduling Techniques

CPM is a powerful scheduling technique. But it’s not the only one. PERT and Gantt chart are other techniques you can use to better plan and schedule your projects.

Read on and understand what these common scheduling techniques are all about.

Critical Path Method

Critical Path Method, or CPM, is a tool used in project management. It can help you plan, analyze, and schedule any complex project.

So, what exactly is the critical path? Well, it is the longest sequence of tasks that must be finished on time to complete the entire project. What’s more, any lag in a critical task will slow down the rest of the project, too.

In CPM, you use diagrams to break down your projects into individual tasks. This will help you discover the most important tasks, dependencies between tasks, and the time required to complete a project.

Program Evaluation Review Technique

PERT, also known as Program Evaluation Review Technique, is another popular project management tool. You can use it to calculate the time it will take to realistically complete a project.

PERT charts are graphical. They represent a project’s timeline. Using these charts, you can calculate the time to finish a task, keep a track of its progress, and make scheduling easier.

In a PERT chart, rectangles represent milestones, straight lines represent tasks to be completed, and the direction of the arrows indicates the required sequence.

Gantt Chart

Another frequently used scheduling tool is a Gantt chart. It’s an effective way of showing activities against time.
The chart’s horizontal axis represents time whereas the bars represent project tasks. The position and length of each bar represents the start date, duration, and end date of the task.

Based on these, you can see what the various tasks are, their start and end dates, duration, and overlaps.

CPM Scheduling Techniques Plus Others

CPM, PERT, and a Gantt chart might sound like individual scheduling tools. But did you know, you can use these together, too?

That’s right. These three techniques are complementary. Together, you can use them to track the critical path of your projects and achieve your goals.

Within a specific project, you are likely to use two or more of these scheduling techniques to test your plan and ensure that it is robust.

You can use a Gantt chart to display your final project plan. At the same time, CPM will help you identify priorities and improve planning. Finally, PERT will make it easier to calculate the time needed to complete each project.
That said, there are advantages and disadvantages of each of these scheduling techniques. For instance, Gantt charts are generally easier to read. But they don’t work well for complex projects.

On the other hand, CPM and PERT are great for large and complex projects. But they don’t shine at monitoring the status of each task.

CPM Scheduling Techniques – The Wrap Up

CPM Scheduling techniques might sound complicated, and perhaps even a big bore, to get started on. But they’re something you need, especially if you’re a project manager.

Tools like CPM, PERT, and Gantt charts can make or break your projects. Use them efficiently and you’ll be on your way to achieving your goals. Use them poorly, or not at all, and your whole project can be thrown off track.

Scheduling tools can make it easier to identify any time crunch, prioritize tasks, and finally, meet your deadlines at minimum costs. They will also help you track your progress and communicate better with your team.
So, get set and make the most of CPM, PERT, and Gantt charts.

CPM Scheduling Techniques – Additional Resources

• PMBOK Guide – A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge
• PRINCE2 Project Management – PRINCE2 helps to successfully deliver projects of any size or complexity.
• PMI Standards Updates – standards that reflect the most up-to-date practices in the professions of project, program and portfolio management.