Using the PERT Formula and Project Management Software

Many software programs for project managers include PERT formula functions or PERT charts. Using PERT Formulas help with estimating tasks. Because some project managers may be math-wary, or because they might not be sure about the data they are plugging into the formula, using project management software with PERT capabilities can be a great help. For more information about the benefits and disadvantages of using the PERT Formula for estimating durations, see parts three and four of this series. Below is a list of PERT Formula friendly project management software programs.

EstimatorPal is a program designed specifically to estimate project cost and duration. The program includes a PERT Formula estimation requiring the user to enter in the pessimistic, the most likely and the optimistic duration estimates. It will then calculate the estimated project schedule. This product is available online for $450 at http://www.chemuturi.com/estimatorpal.html. For more information on this product, read my review of EstimatorPal.

PlanBee is a fully-functional project management software that allows the creation of PERT Formula Estimates and Gantt Charts. This program calculates items such as early start, late start, float and more. The program creators boast that this software is easy-to use. The program offers a 30-day free trial of the software, after which users can pay $29.95 a month. While EstimatorPal offers software that is useful for someone who already has some project management software such as Microsoft Project, PlanBee provides many of the functions of standard project management software.

PMPal offers the best of both worlds - standard project management features and specific estimation features, facilitating the integration of both aspects of project management for the project manager. This program is collaborative and it offers exciting project management tools such as the ability to estimate software size, track timesheets, manage change and defects, and track software metrics. A 60-day free trial is available at http://www.metricssoftware.com/.

Other than Project 2007, which I will discuss in the final part of this series, PERT Formula capabilities are a helpful part of many software programs for project managers. For more software suggestions, read Thursday Bram's article "The Top 5 Project Schedule Software Options."