A simple approximation to the completion time distribution for a PERT network

A heuristic method for PERT analysis is presented, designed in such a way as to keep computational and informational needs to a minimum and to be easy to implement. The procedure is computationally efficient and quite accurate, even though the only information required on activity time distributions is in the form of simple discrete approximations. A numerical study is described which provides guidelines on the number of values to use and the computer time required.