Program Evaluation and Review Technique

industrial engineering

Also known as: PERT

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Last updated

June 22, 2026

Quick Summary

The Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) is a project management tool used to control and coordinate complex projects with uncertain factors. Developed by the U.S. Navy for the Polaris missile program, PERT helps estimate task times, identify the critical path (the minimum project duration), and manage resources efficiently.12

PERT utilizes network diagrams where circles represent tasks and arrows show their dependencies. It incorporates probabilistic time estimates for each task, considering optimistic, realistic, and pessimistic scenarios. This allows project managers to calculate the earliest possible completion time and identify "slack" – the amount of time a task can be delayed without affecting the overall project deadline. PERT is widely used in engineering, construction, and the development of aircraft, missiles, and computer systems.1

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research and development
PERT and CPM
PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) was first used in the development of submarines capable of firing Polaris missiles. CPM (the Critical Path Method) was used to manage the annual maintenance work in an oil and chemical refinery. Many variations and extensions of the two original…
Read More
PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) was first used in the development of submarines capable of firing Polaris missiles. CPM (the Critical Path Method) was used to manage the annual maintenance work in an oil and chemical refinery. Many variations and extensions of the two original…
Read More

defense economics
Choosing weapon systems
One technique—called program evaluation and review technique (PERT)—found civilian applications after it was invented by the U.S. Navy to build Polaris on time and under budget. Similarly, earlier techniques such as cost–benefit analysis (invented to cope with submarine hunting problems during World War II) and input–output analysis…
Read More
One technique—called program evaluation and review technique (PERT)—found civilian applications after it was invented by the U.S. Navy to build Polaris on time and under budget. Similarly, earlier techniques such as cost–benefit analysis (invented to cope with submarine hunting problems during World War II) and input–output analysis…
Read More