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Understanding Critical Path Method (CPM)

The Critical Path Method (CPM) is a project management technique used to determine the longest path of dependent activities, which dictates the shortest possible project duration. It involves calculating the early and late start and finish dates of activities to identify slack or float, allowing for schedule adjustments. CPM can help in making trade-offs and shortening project schedules through techniques like resource allocation, crashing, and fast-tracking activities.

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6 views14 pages

Understanding Critical Path Method (CPM)

The Critical Path Method (CPM) is a project management technique used to determine the longest path of dependent activities, which dictates the shortest possible project duration. It involves calculating the early and late start and finish dates of activities to identify slack or float, allowing for schedule adjustments. CPM can help in making trade-offs and shortening project schedules through techniques like resource allocation, crashing, and fast-tracking activities.

Uploaded by

syedrashidali2024
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Critical Path Method

(CPM)

Waqas Qadir Baloch


Wasim Bostan

BBA - 7
Critical Path Method (CPM)
 CPM is a network diagramming technique used to predict
total project duration.
 A critical path for a project is the series of activities that
determines the earliest time by which the project can be
completed.
 The critical path is the longest path through the network
diagram and has the least amount of slack or float.
 Slack or float is the amount of time an activity can be
delayed without delaying a succeeding activity or the project
finish date.
CPM - Approach
Calculating the Critical Path
 Develop a good network diagram.

 Add the duration estimates for all activities on each path


through the network diagram.

 The longest path is the critical path.

 If one or more of the activities on the critical path takes


longer than planned, the whole project schedule will slip
unless the project manager takes corrective action.
Using Critical Path Analysis to
Make Schedule Trade-offs
 Free slack or free float is the amount of time an activity
can be delayed without delaying the early start of any
immediately following activities.
 Total slack or total float is the amount of time an activity
can be delayed from its early start without delaying the
planned project finish date.
 A forward pass through the network diagram determines
the early start and finish dates.
 A backward pass determines the late start and finish
dates.
Activity Identity Box
How to Calculate Float ?

Forward
ES EF Pass

Float

Backward LS LF
Pass

 ES: Early Start  Float= LS-ES


 LS: Late Start  Float= EF-LF
 EF: Early Finish
 LF: Late Finish
Critical Path Example

3 6 6 14
Activity 2 Activity 4
Float=0 Float=0
0 3
3 6 6 14
Start Activity 1
Float=0 14 18
Activity 5
0 3
Float=0
3 9 14 18
Activity 3
Activity Duration Float=5

Activity 1 3 8 14

Activity 2 3
Paths Duration
Activity 3 6
Start, 1, 2, 4,5, End 18
Activity 4 8 End
Start, 1, 3, 5, End 13
Activity 5 4
Figure 6-8. Determining the Critical Path
for Project X
More on the Critical Path
 The critical path does not necessarily contain all the
critical activities; it only accounts for time.
 Example like growing grass was on the critical path for
Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
 There can be more than one critical path if the
lengths of two or more paths are the same.
 The critical path can change as the project
progresses.
Using the Critical Path to Shorten a
Project Schedule
 Three main techniques for shortening schedules:

 Shorteningthe duration of critical activities or tasks by


adding more resources or changing their scope.

 Crashing activities by obtaining the greatest amount of


schedule compression for the least incremental cost.

 Fasttracking activities by doing them in parallel or


overlapping them.
Importance of Updating Critical
Path Data
 It is important to update project schedule
information to meet time goals for a project.

 The critical path may change as you enter


actual start and finish dates.

 If you know the project completion date will


slip, negotiate with the project sponsor.
Thank You
Q & A Session

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