In this episode, we explore how uncertainty can be incorporated into project schedules using the Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT). Building on traditional planning methods, PERT extends the Critical Path Method (CPM) by replacing single-point duration estimates with three estimates: optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic.

This approach allows project managers to capture uncertainty in activity durations and translate it into probabilities of meeting project deadlines. By applying simple statistical reasoning, PERT provides insights into schedule risk and helps identify the activities that are most critical for timely project completion.

Although based on simplifying assumptions, PERT shows how analytical thinking improves project planning beyond intuition, enabling more realistic schedules and providing a structured basis for monitoring and control.

For more insights:

• Short article: Adding Uncertainty to the Project Plan.
• Book: Vanhoucke, M., 2018, The Data-Driven Project Manager: A Statistical Battle Against Project Obstacles, Apress.
• Website: www.or-as.be/orastalks

Category: Methods and Tools

Tags: Project planning · PERT · Critical Path Method · Schedule uncertainty · Project risk analysis

AI Transparency Statement: This episode uses AI for narration. Learn more about how ORASTalks uses AI responsibly at ⁠www.or-as.be/orastalks⁠.

In this episode, we explore how the importance of hard and soft skills changes across the project lifecycle, based on a classroom experiment with students.

Students worked on case studies to simulate planning, risk analysis, project progress and control, and delivery. The experiment shows that hard skills are critical during planning and control, while soft skills help teams collaborate throughout, and analytical skills remain important in every phase. Later phases require a broader variety of skills, highlighting the integration of knowledge.

Although this study is a classroom experiment, it shows that students not only learn project management, but also develop essential skills.

For more insights:

• Short article: ⁠⁠Essential Skills for Project Management⁠
• Full paper:⁠ Servranckx, T., & Vanhoucke, M. (2021). Essential skills for data-driven project management: A classroom teaching experiment⁠. Journal of Modern Project Management, 9(1), 123–139.
• Website: ⁠⁠www.or-as.be/orastalks

Category: Research Insights

Tags: Project management education · Skills development · Hard skills · Soft skills · Data-driven project management

AI Transparency Statement: This episode uses AI for narration. Learn more about how ORASTalks uses AI responsibly at www.or-as.be/orastalks.