THE USE OF PERT IN SCHEDULING MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS

The formal method of logical planning and scheduling, known as PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) is described in its basic methodology. Its application to scheduling manufacturing operations, including an example of machine loading, is discussed. The simple thesis of separating planning from scheduling is developed, and establishment of the famous “Critical Path” is shown. It has been discovered that a very small percentage of all the time consuming operations on any project or plan, controls the completion time of that plan. Finding these critical items in order for the manager to efficiently function on the “management by exception” principle is the purpose of the network planning method described. The rules for establishing the “arrow diagram” plan of execution are listed and discussed.