Theory of network planning for laboratory research and development

Critical Path Method (CPM) and Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) are quantitative network planning strategies that facilitate management of projects with many interrelated activities. They determine the minimum time necessary to complete a project and identify which activities are critical to achieving the minimum. PERT also incorporates probabilistic estimates of activity durations. This statistical approach is useful when planning a project entailing some uncertainty and allows one to calculate chances of finishing on time. CPM and PERT encourage participation of all key personnel in the planning process, effective fit between project variables and organizational structure, and optimization of resource allocation. Availability of several levels of sophistication make network planning flexible enough to be applied easily in laboratory research and development. Iterative refinement of network plans and time estimates in progressive steps of involvement with clinical colleagues augments the effectiveness of these technics in hospital settings.