Lets say task of putting stealth paint on your time machine is most likely going to take three weeks. You must also then consider what is longest it will take, and what is shortest amount of time it will take to apply that paint. For example, five weeks and two weeks, respectively.

Here is advantage of this method in EPM. You can manipulate your timelines effectively. If you feel that original schedule is running a bit thin, and overall project forecast was too optimistic, then you can give pessimistic estimate a little more weight. For example, in this case, you can assign timeline of six weeks to paint job. Then, in final PERT analysis, you will see results skewed to a longer forecast.

Here is how an EPM can use information from PERT analysis. As project stakeholders are more edgy about technical tasks running over schedule (and rightly so), due to more chances of complications, a project overshooting its schedule due to a paint job will be a lot less painful to stakeholders. This will allow you to give a lot less explanations, and use your time wisely to deliver project on time. Of course, as a professional Project Manager, you know that if your project is really in trouble, do not use this technique to hide from reality.

Like I mentioned, you probably know CPM and PERT well. However, if you do not, I encourage you to seek it out and use it in your projects. There are many books and white papers written on it. If you are a traditional Project Manager, you can use these methods to tell you other important factors in your tasks as well. For example, if you notice PERT estimates to be off by greater margins, then you must take a closer look at task, as it is indicating greater risk, then a task that has a smaller spread.

Keep at a high level, and trust your team leads, by delegating more specific analysis to them. And always remember, if you are an EPM, then use all this information to always keep ultimate goal of client, as your most fundamental requirement.

9. Mastery of detail. I'm hopeless on that one. I'm a "grand picture person", who has no idea of number of bolts needed to build my bridge. I would never walk on it after finishing it anyway!

10. Willingness to assume full responsibility for one's decisions - no matter what may go wrong!

11. Co-operation (full) with others in seeing one's plans, grand vision come to fruition.

12. Leaders are PASSIONATE people. Eliminating options will help you find your passion, your niche in life by initially pointing you in right direction. I've been using process of elimination for years and years and I'm slowly getting there. At least I think so!

If you don't know your passion, knowing what you don't want is a step in right direction. I've worked out, that I don't really want to be a "leader" - preferring "to do my own thing" in writing books, that will "reach out, touch and hopefully even inspire" others. That is "me" and what I believe to be my "calling in life".

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So after reading all that, you still want to become a leader. Good! You're a brave person who will go far; because, I believe, there is a definite lack of "quality inspirational leadership" in today's societies - throughout world!

Whether you want to be a follower...or a leader...

Just be YOU and be happy