In order to have a successful project, it’s important to have a good scheduling system in place. There are many different tools and techniques that can be used for this, and it may be difficult to decide which one is best for you. Luckily, we have compiled a list of four popular tools and techniques that project managers like to use for scheduling projects.

1. Gantt Charts

Gantt charts help us determine when tasks should be completed and how long each task will take. These charts offer project managers an opportunity to visualise the timing of their projects as this is a very effective method of displaying the timelines. The visual nature of the chart makes it incredibly easy to see which tasks are completed and which ones still need to be done.

2. Critical Path Method (CPM)

CPM is a technique that helps you analyse your project’s schedule in order to find the most efficient path through your tasks. It does so by identifying the sequence of tasks that must be completed to reach the desired goal as fast as possible. CPM is ideal for complex projects with a lot of task dependencies.

3. PERT

PERT stands for Program Evaluation Review Technique, and it’s a statistical tool used by many project managers. Essentially, it provides a visual representation of a project’s timeline. This technique gives you an opportunity to break down individual tasks in the project and estimate the amount of time needed to complete each task. Project managers can use this technique to work out the minimum amount of time and resources required to complete the entire project.

4. Simulation

The simulation technique helps you calculate potential project durations with flexibility to create the project schedule without knowing all the details. It’s especially useful when there are many uncertainties. So, even if you don’t know all the actions, this method allows you to develop a timetable based on assumptions, using simulation. You can also create multiple schedules for different outcomes and adjust them as the project progresses.

Final Thoughts

There you have it – four of the most popular project scheduling tools that project managers use. There are many other tools that can be used for scheduling but these are the ones that are most commonly used. Try them out and see which one works best for you and your team!