CPM and PERT: Project Scheduling and Network Analysis

Effective project scheduling is the backbone of successful construction and engineering projects. Understanding how to model project timelines, identify bottlenecks, and allocate resources efficiently is a critical skill for any aspiring project manager or civil engineer. This text-based course guides you through the fundamental principles of network analysis using CPM (Critical Path Method) and PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique). You will transition from understanding basic project components to independently constructing network diagrams, calculating project durations, and analyzing scheduling risks. What you'll learn: 1. Learn the core terminology of project management, including activities, events, and network rules. 2. Construct clear network diagrams using both Activity-on-Arrow (AOA) and Activity-on-Node (AON) conventions. 3. Calculate critical paths, earliest and latest start/finish times, and total/free floats for project activities. 4. Apply PERT techniques to estimate project completion probabilities using three-time estimates and standard deviation. 5. Understand resource leveling, smoothing, and crashing techniques to optimize project budgets and schedules. 6. Explore modern scheduling trends and how digital tools implement network analysis in contemporary project environments. You will start with foundational definitions and network logic rules before moving into step-by-step mathematical calculations for CPM and probability distributions in PERT. Every concept is reinforced with written walkthroughs and practice problems to solidify your analytical skills. This course is designed for beginners in civil engineering, construction management, and project planning, with no prior scheduling experience required. Start reading today to master the essential mathematical tools of project scheduling.