Interactive tool to calculate project completion probabilities and guaranteed dates using Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)
How to Use This Tool
This tool calculates project completion probabilities based on activity time estimates. You can edit the values in the Activity Time Estimates table and click "Update Calculations" to see new results.
Step-by-Step Solution
1
Calculate estimated time (te) for each activity using the formula:
te = (O + 4M + P) / 6
2
Calculate variance for each activity using the formula:
Variance = [(P - O) / 6]²
3
Determine the critical path (longest path through the network):
Critical Path: 1 → 2 → 6 → 7
4
Calculate total expected time (TE) and total variance (V) for the critical path:
TE = 10 + 7 + 4 = 21 weeks
V = 1.00 + 4.00 + 1.00 = 6.00
5
Calculate standard deviation (σ) for the critical path:
σ = √V = √6.00 ≈ 2.45 weeks
6
Calculate Z-scores for desired completion times:
Z = (T - TE) / σ
For 14 weeks: Z = (14 - 21) / 2.45 ≈ -2.86
For 17 weeks: Z = (17 - 21) / 2.45 ≈ -1.63
7
Find probabilities using standard normal distribution table:
P(14 weeks) = P(Z ≤ -2.86) ≈ 0.0021 or 0.21%
P(17 weeks) = P(Z ≤ -1.63) ≈ 0.0516 or 5.16%
8
Find completion time for 80% probability:
Z for 80% = 0.84
T = TE + Z × σ = 21 + 0.84 × 2.45 ≈ 23.06 weeks
Answers to QBA EX2 Questions
a) Probability of finishing the project in 14 weeks and 17 weeks
After calculating the estimated times and critical path, we find:
Probability of completion in 14 weeks: 0.21% (Z = -2.86)
Probability of completion in 17 weeks: 5.16% (Z = -1.63)
b) Guaranteed date for 80% certainty
To be 80% sure that the project will be completed by a guaranteed date, we need to find the date corresponding to a probability of 0.8.
The Z-score for 80% probability is 0.84.
Using the formula: T = TE + Z × σ = 21 + (0.84 × 2.45) ≈ 23.06 weeks
Therefore, management should quote 23.06 weeks to be 80% sure of project completion.