CPM and PERT Fundamentals for Industrial Engineering

Efficient project scheduling is the backbone of successful industrial engineering. Understanding how to model project timelines, identify bottlenecks, and manage uncertainty is crucial for delivering engineering projects on time and within budget. This text-only course guides you through the core principles of the Critical Path Method (CPM) and the Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT). You will learn how to break down complex projects, construct network diagrams, calculate float, and account for statistical uncertainty in your scheduling, preparing you for both academic exams and real-world application. What you'll learn: - Understand the foundational concepts of project networks, activities, and events - Construct network diagrams using standard activity-on-node and activity-on-arrow conventions - Calculate early/late start and finish times to determine the critical path of a project - Apply PERT formulas to estimate project duration probabilities and manage schedule risk - Analyze resource constraints and practice basic resource leveling techniques - Compare classical network techniques with modern hybrid project management workflows We start with key terminology and basic network concepts before walking through step-by-step mathematical calculations. You will practice through written scenarios and analytical exercises designed to build your scheduling skills. This course is designed for beginners, engineering students, and aspiring project managers. No prior experience with network scheduling is required. Start reading today to master the mathematical foundations of engineering project control.