Overall Verdict: ★★★★☆ (4/5) The PERT chart format is an excellent choice for projects with high uncertainty , particularly in R&D, software development, engineering, and event planning. However, it is overkill for simple, repetitive tasks. What is the PERT Chart Format? Unlike a basic Gantt chart (which focuses on start/end dates), the PERT chart uses a network diagram of nodes and arrows. Tasks (activities) are represented as arrows, while nodes (circles/rectangles) represent milestones.