Monte Carlo simulation and critical chains

In the course of the scheduling of a project we always have to face uncertainties in the planned durations of the individual activities. The most frequently used method to handle this situation, is PERT. But PERT offers some detriments like the systematic underestimation of the real risk. Therefore a further development led to the “critical field” approach, which implies the use of Monte Carlo simulation. In this contribution the mentioned critical field approach is enhanced to the well-known critical chain technique, which also takes into account the availability of resources for the individual activities.