Differentiate between PERT and CPM.

 PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) and CPM (Critical Path Method) are both project management techniques used to manage complex projects. They have several similarities, but there are also some key differences between them. The main differences are described below:

1. Focus: PERT is primarily focused on time management, while CPM is focused on cost management. PERT is used to estimate the time required to complete a project and to identify the critical path, while CPM is used to estimate the cost of each activity and to identify the activities that are most critical to the project's success.

2. Probability: PERT uses probability to estimate the time required for each activity, while CPM uses deterministic methods. PERT uses three time estimates (optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic) to calculate the expected time for each activity, while CPM uses a single time estimate.

3. Network Diagrams: PERT uses activity-on-arrow (AOA) network diagrams, while CPM uses activity-on-node (AON) network diagrams. In AOA diagrams, the activities are represented by arrows, and the nodes represent events. In AON diagrams, the activities are represented by nodes, and the arrows represent the relationships between them.

4. Float: PERT calculates total float and free float, while CPM calculates only total float. Total float is the amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the entire project, while free float is the amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the early start of the next activity.

5. Risk Management: PERT is used more for risk management than CPM. PERT identifies the critical path and the activities that have the greatest impact on the project's completion time, allowing managers to focus on these activities and manage them more effectively.

In conclusion, while both PERT and CPM are used to manage complex projects, they have different focuses, use different methods to estimate time, use different types of network diagrams, calculate different types of float, and have different levels of emphasis on risk management. Project managers can choose which method to use based on the specific needs of their project.

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