PERT diagram in Gantt chart format template
Download this PERT diagram in Gantt chart format for PowerPoint. Plan task sequences and present clear project schedules to stakeholders.
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The PERT chart template was created to help you plan all of the tasks needed to successfully deliver a project. The PERT template can be used in the planning or preparation phase of any project or it can be used for project reporting.
The PERT methodology, or the Program Evaluation Review Technique, was developed to identify the minimum amount of time needed to complete a project by factoring in uncertainty. It was created for planning the task sequence, commonly known as the critical path, which must be delivered in order to complete very large and complicated projects on time. As a result, traditional PERT charts are complex and detail oriented visuals that require time and knowledge to understand.
This PERT template was designed differently from the PERT charts created by critical path analysis tools. It was created to help clients, executives and other project stakeholders understand which tasks must be completed before others can begin. PERT chart tools produce diagrams that are complex, difficult to understand and far too complicated to include in executive communications. This PERT template is a resource for presenting project schedules to non-project audiences in a way that they can understand quickly.
The PERT template was created in PowerPoint so it can be easily edited by a project manager or by project teams. PowerPoint is familiar to audiences who are not accustomed to viewing PERT charts or are not comfortable using critical path analysis and project management tools.
The PERT template can be automatically updated using the Lucen Timeline plug-in for PowerPoint. The plug-in updates the PERT template with your schedule and instantly applies any changes as they occur. Try out Lucen Timeline’s free 14-day trial and see how easy it integrates with Microsoft Project, Excel, and other project tools to easily transform an existing project schedule into a visually appealing PowerPoint chart.
Frequently asked questions
A PERT chart focuses on task dependencies and sequence. It shows which activities must be completed before others can begin and helps identify the critical path.
A Gantt chart focuses on time. It displays tasks along a timeline with start dates, durations, and progress tracking.
Use a PERT chart for planning complex task logic.
Use a Gantt chart for scheduling and reporting timelines.
A PERT chart is most useful when:
- you are planning a complex project with many dependencies;
- task duration is uncertain;
- you need to identify the critical path;
- you are in the early planning phase.
It helps structure the project before building a detailed timeline.
The critical path is the longest sequence of dependent tasks that determines the shortest possible project duration.
If any task on the critical path is delayed, the entire project is delayed. Identifying it helps project managers prioritize resources and manage risk effectively.
You can create a PERT chart in PowerPoint by:
- mapping task dependencies;
- identifying the critical path;
- using shapes and connectors to build the diagram.
For faster updates and automation, you can use the Lucen Timeline plug-in for PowerPoint, which:
- imports data from Microsoft Project or Excel;
- updates diagrams automatically;
- applies design formatting instantly.
This makes it easier to present complex project logic to executives and stakeholders.
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