American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Which scheduling technique visually depicts the relationships among tasks in a project?

1. Gantt Chart

2. PERT - Program Evaluation and Review Technique

3. Flowchart Analysis

4. Timeline Method

The correct answer is: PERT - Program Evaluation and Review Technique

The Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) is a scheduling technique specifically designed to visualize the relationships among tasks in a project. PERT uses a network diagram, where tasks are represented as nodes connected by arrows. This diagram illustrates not only the sequencing of tasks but also the dependencies between them, making it easier to understand how the completion of one task can affect others. By mapping out these relationships, PERT can help project managers identify the critical path, which is the longest sequence of dependent tasks that determines the shortest time to complete the project. In contrast, while Gantt charts are useful for showing the timeline and duration of tasks visually, they do not explicitly depict the interdependencies between them. Flowcharts tend to focus more on processes rather than on the relationships between project tasks. The timeline method also generally presents a linear representation of project tasks without showcasing the dependencies or relationships in a visual network format. Thus, PERT stands out as the technique that captures the complex interactions between tasks effectively.