New
New
Year 11

Tools for project planning

I can create Gantt and PERT charts to plan a project and explain the advantages and disadvantages of each tool.

New
New
Year 11

Tools for project planning

I can create Gantt and PERT charts to plan a project and explain the advantages and disadvantages of each tool.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Planning tools manage time and tasks in a project by visually organising when and how activities should be completed.
  2. A Gantt chart is a timeline-based planning tool.
  3. A PERT chart is a network diagram that uses nodes and arrows to show task flow.

Keywords

  • Gantt chart - a planning tool that displays activities against blocks of time

  • PERT chart - a PERT chart (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) is a network diagram that uses nodes and arrows to show task flow

Common misconception

Gantt charts are better than PERT charts.

Gantt charts may be deemed better than PERT charts in some instances, but not all. The choice of chart can depend on the project and what the team prefers to use.


To help you plan your year 11 computing lesson on: Tools for project planning, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

File needed for this lesson

  • A1 Gantt chart resource 10.28 KB (XLSX)

Download this file to use in the lesson.

A Gantt chart template is provided for pupils as a downloadable file for this lesson.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Pupils will require access to spreadsheet software for this lesson.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match each keyword to its definition:

Correct Answer:SMART goal,a goal that is specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely

a goal that is specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely

Correct Answer:iteration,repeating or refining tasks to improve outcomes

repeating or refining tasks to improve outcomes

Correct Answer:interaction,overlapping or linking different project stages

overlapping or linking different project stages

Q2.
Arrange these steps to create a SMART goal:

1 - decide exactly what you want to achieve
2 - make sure you can check your progress
3 - confirm the goal is possible with your skills and resources
4 - ensure the goal is sensible and not unrealistic
5 - set a deadline

Q3.
What is the main purpose of interaction between project stages?

Correct answer: to allow for more flexible and efficient planning
to cause confusion
to make projects last longer
to avoid teamwork

Q4.
Which of the following best describes iteration?

ignoring previous feedback
doing everything at once
Correct answer: repeating or refining stages to improve results
skipping stages

Q5.
What does the “S” in SMART stand for?

Correct Answer: specific

Q6.
Which part of a SMART goal helps ensure you finish on time?

Correct Answer: timely

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the main purpose of using planning tools in a project?

Correct answer: to visually organise time and tasks
to increase project costs
to reduce team size
to avoid setting deadlines

Q2.
Which tool is best described as a timeline-based chart showing activities over time?

Correct Answer: Gantt chart, Gantt

Q3.
What does a PERT chart use to show the flow of tasks?

Correct answer: nodes and arrows
columns and rows
colours and shapes
blocks of time

Q4.
Which statement about Gantt and PERT charts is correct?

Gantt charts are always better than PERT charts.
PERT charts are always better than Gantt charts.
Both charts are never used together.
Correct answer: the best tool depends on the project and team needs

Q5.
Match each term to its definition:

Correct Answer:Gantt chart,displays activities against blocks of time

displays activities against blocks of time

Correct Answer:PERT chart,network diagram using nodes and arrows for task flow

network diagram using nodes and arrows for task flow

Correct Answer:critical path,the sequence of tasks that determines the minimum project duration

the sequence of tasks that determines the minimum project duration

Correct Answer:task dependency,when one task relies on another to start or finish

when one task relies on another to start or finish

Q6.
Match each planning tool to its main advantage:

Correct Answer:Gantt chart,easy to see when tasks happen

easy to see when tasks happen

Correct Answer:PERT chart,shows complex task relationships

shows complex task relationships

Correct Answer:both,help organise projects visually

help organise projects visually

Correct Answer:neither,used to show project costs

used to show project costs