PERT Analysis Toolbar

[Joel Martin]

The instructions for using the optimistic, pessimistic, and expected fields
say simply "On the View menu, point to Toolbars, and then click PERT
Analysis." However, I only am able to see this option sometimes, and I have
no idea what the variable is. It was available when I first started working
with Project, then when I wanted to use it, I couldn't find it, finally gave
up, and then it was there again when next I opened Project. Now it's not
there again. Is there some enterprise setting that someone else is changing
(I'm using Professional, and there's a Project Server, although only a few
other people have access at this point)?

 

[davegb]

The instructions for using the optimistic, pessimistic, and expected fields
say simply "On the View menu, point to Toolbars, and then click PERT
Analysis." However, I only am able to see this option sometimes, and I have
no idea what the variable is. It was available when I first started working
with Project, then when I wanted to use it, I couldn't find it, finally gave
up, and then it was there again when next I opened Project. Now it's not
there again. Is there some enterprise setting that someone else is changing
(I'm using Professional, and there's a Project Server, although only a few
other people have access at this point)?

I believe I should caution you about using "PERT Analysis". This is an
obsolete methodology which doen's hold up at all to statistical
scrutiny. It was the best we had back in the "old days", before we had
computers on our desks. It gives a very misleading result.
Unfortunately, I'm not a good enough statistician (thank goodness!) to
explain the details. But in the days of computers, this method is
out-dated by Monte Carlo analysis which does a more sophisticated and
more meaningful statistical analysis of the probability of a project
being done in a given amount of time. If you Google for such software,
you'll find the current vendors. Some of them use your existing Project
file, so there's no conversion involved. It's not even expensive, the
last time I looked. I suggest you at least look at this software and
talk to someone who understands the statistical invalidity of PERT
Analysis and why Monte Carlo is far better.
Hope this helps in your world.

 

[Rick Williams]

If you email me directly at (e-mail address removed) I will send you a
presentation of sme powerful analysis software and an example report it
generates.
Thanks,
Rick Williams