Anderson School of Management Theses & Dissertations

Publication Date

Summer 6-6-1963

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to critically review and evaluate the merits of a management technique currently receiving wide acclaim throughout the defense contracting industry. This technique has been referred to as an "operations research or scientific approach to modern management" [Fazer, 9]. The name given this new technique is PERT. PERT stands for Program Evaluation and Review Technique. In non-defense industries, a very similar method known as the Critical Path Method is in wide use. There is very little difference between these two techniques except that PERT is more detailed and attempts to provide the user with a substantially greater amount of information. The use of either one of these techniques incorporates the knowledge and skill of the statistician, the mathematician, and the computer data processing technician into the field of business management.

The investigatory approach used in this thesis is of the critical analysis design. Stated simply, an attempt will be made to acquaint the reader with the background and mechanics of the PERT technique. Examples of its use in defense and non-defense industry will be cited and discussed. A review of the strengths and weaknesses of the system will be made. An overall evaluation of PERT will be presented for the reader's consideration. Finally, an attempt will be made to summarize the entire study and to suggest a logical and reasonable conclusion.

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Anderson School of Management

First Committee Member

W.F. Finster

Second Committee Member

Rudyard Byron Goode

Third Committee Member

Simon Herman

Keywords

Program Evaluation and Review Technique, PERT, Financial Management, Non-Defense Industries, Defense Industries

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