Final answer:
In PERT analysis, the expected activity time is calculated using the weighted average of the optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic times, using the formula TE = (O + 4M + P) / 6.
Step-by-step explanation:
The expected activity time in PERT analysis (Program Evaluation Review Technique) is a key concept used in project management for planning and coordinating large projects. The expected time for a particular activity is calculated by using a weighted average of three times estimates: the optimistic time (O), the most likely time (M), and the pessimistic time (P). The formula for calculating the expected time (TE) is given by:
TE = (O + 4M + P) / 6
This formula assumes that the distribution of the time estimates is approximately normal and assigns weight to the most likely time estimate, acknowledging that it has a higher probability of occurrence. The use of PERT analysis assists project managers in identifying the minimum time needed for a project by calculating the longest path of planned activities to the end of the project and the earliest and latest that each activity can start and finish without making the project longer.