Response 1

Hello Brian,

Gantt charts are used to visually represent a projects schedule. It will show each task associated with the project, which are complete or what percentage they are currently at. Each task can be linked to show dependencies and predecessors which can help managers understand when specific materials need to be present. One weakness is that it is difficult to view all of the tasks on a single screen for larger projects. This can make it difficult to follow the dependencies and critical path of a project due to constant scrolling. 

A network diagram is a high-level work flow of the project that typically focuses on the milestones for the project (Landau, 2020). The network diagram will display estimated times to complete the task where the Gannt chart will use exact dates. The network diagram can help the project team conduct a “what if” analysis to determine early or late starts or finishes and allow the project manager to evaluate alternatives. It helps to identify float in different tasks and allows managers to develop a plan for ordering materials and services.

A Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) chart is used to determine the minimum time needed to complete a project. A manager will develop a PERT chart at the beginning of a project to help ensure it is properly scoped and avoid bottlenecks (Landau, 2020). PERT charts help to identify when a task has a dependency and help to identify the critical path for the project.

Reference:

Landau, P. (2020, September 30). Gantt chart vs PERT chart vs network diagram: What are the differences?Project Manager. https://www.projectmanager.com/blog/gantt-vs-pert-vs-network-diagram