American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What does a PERT chart typically illustrate?

1. Cost analysis

2. Task interrelationships and milestones

3. Funding sources

4. Personnel assignments

The correct answer is: Task interrelationships and milestones

A PERT chart, which stands for Program Evaluation and Review Technique, is primarily used to illustrate the interdependencies and relationships between various tasks in a project, along with key milestones. It provides a visual representation of the project timeline and highlights how tasks connect, showing which tasks must be completed before others can begin. This makes it particularly useful in project management settings where understanding task sequences and the flow of activities is crucial for scheduling and resource allocation. While concepts like cost analysis, funding sources, and personnel assignments are important to project management, they are not the primary focus of a PERT chart. A PERT chart does not provide direct information about costs or funding mechanisms and does not specifically indicate personnel responsibilities; instead, it centers on the timing and relationships of different tasks, making it a vital tool for understanding the progression and coordination of project elements.