Project analysis today-The end users’ disquiet?

The explosive growth in the use of micro-processors in organisations has generated a wealth of software for managerial use. This software is easy to use, flexible and apposite. The software which continues to be used on mini and main-frame computers often offers more sophistication, but unfortunately it is usually less ‘user-friendly’. The major packages currently offered for use on micro-computers do not offer mechanisms to utilize the uncertainty which almost always exists in projects. Thus the PC-supported manager may be misled by easily accessible software, so may not undertake a strategic analysis of the project. In contrast, it is argued here that the Venture Evaluation and Review Technique (VERT) can provide a rich modelling environment for the strategic management of complex projects although its use would be based on a mini-computer. A simple Research and Development project is used to indicate how VERT may suggest pertinent ‘what if?’ enquiries.