Overview

Estimate project timelines and identify the critical path with this PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) chart template. PERT charts map project activities as a network of nodes and arrows, showing task dependencies and enabling teams to calculate best-case, worst-case, and expected completion times for complex projects.

Key Features

• Network diagram layout with event nodes and activity arrows
• Three-time estimate fields per task: Optimistic, Most Likely, Pessimistic
• Expected time calculation formula zone
• Critical path highlighting using connector color coding
• Project summary section for total timeline estimate and key milestones

How to Use

1. Identify all project tasks and add them as activity arrows between event nodes — use shapes for event nodes (circles) and the Connector tool for activity arrows
2. Label each activity arrow with the task name and the three time estimates using the Text tool
3. Calculate the Expected Time (ET = (O + 4M + P) / 6) for each task — add the value to the activity label
4. Identify the critical path by finding the longest sequence of dependent activities — highlight it using a distinct connector color (red works well)
5. Add the total project duration based on the critical path to the summary section at the top of the canvas

Benefits

PERT charts are the project manager's honest accounting tool. By forcing you to estimate best, worst, and likely durations, they turn optimistic timelines into realistic ones — and show exactly which tasks will kill your deadline if they slip.