# Applying Game Theory to Teach the PERT Scheduling Method
## 2 Literature Review
### Game Theory  
A game can be defined as a conflictual activity in which decisions must be made, knowing that the other players also make decisions, determining the outcome of the game based on all the decisions made [30]. According to [PERSON] and [PERSON] [33], GameTheory is a situation in which two or more players must decide to achieve a beneficial objective by following specific strategies. This mathematical theory attempts to describe the socioeconomic phenomenon of human relationships in terms of cooperation and conflict between people who must make decisions, called players. Decision-makers often face conflicts of interest, which drive them to adopt different strategies to determine other individuals' actions, seeking the most significant possible results and benefits [34]. Game Theory evaluates the problem of decision-making in a group of people under uncertainty and lack of information about the environment, interpersonal decision processes, and the skills and incentives of other players, generating a probabilistic environment [35]. In general, game theoretical models can be classified into (1) static games, in which players make decisions and take actions simultaneously, without knowing the decisions chosen by other players, and (2) dynamic games, in which players make decisions and take actions sequentially, observing the actions of other players [36]. On the other hand, there are two main branches of Game Theory: (1) Cooperative Game Theory, in which players cooperate mutually to obtain more benefits and allocate the gains equitably, and (2) Non-cooperative Game Theory, in which players independently select strategies to maximize the benefit, without collusion between them [37]. In the case of Nash equilibrium, the solution for non-cooperative games is considered under the assumption that all players are rational. Non-cooperative Game Theory can facilitate predicting possible outcomes and behaviors of decision-makers or players who prioritize their goals and make strategic decisions based on individual rationality [38]. Cooperative Game Theory provides valuable insights into resource-sharing games, in which parties may adopt diverse strategies for utilizing the shared resource. Thus, the present study builds on these theoretical foundations by demonstrating how Game Theory can enhance decision-making and strategic thinking in educational settings. Specifically, its application to the PERT method leverages the probabilistic nature of Game Theory to simulate real-world scenarios involving uncertainty and dependencies among activities [31; 34]. This approach highlights its suitability for teaching project scheduling techniques, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical applications [39; 40]. For an activity to be considered a game, it must have some characteristic elements, although they are not necessarily always involved:  
1. Player: This is the participant who decides within the game, trying to obtain the best result. The player seeks to maximize their utility under the rules that the game imposes and considers that the decisions made by the other players affect their results. More than one player can participate in games, such as a person, a company, the government, and others, assuming that the player is rational and informed [41]. 2. Actions: An action is a decision each player can make when acting within the possible alternatives that a player can adopt within the game, using strategies to maximize utility [42]. 3. Information: It is the degree of knowledge the player has of the variables involved in the game at a given time. This information can be provided by other participants or acquired by the same player. The information can be classified as complete, incomplete, perfect, or imperfect [43]. 4. Strategy: It plans a player's action when starting and during the game [31]. 5. Results: Different scenarios in which the game can end, and are associated with different consequences for each player [30]. 6.