The critical path method (CPM) may also be abbreviated as critical path analysis (CPA). The critical path method is a modern project management technique applied in planning, scheduling, and controlling project activities to carry a project from the initiation to the final end.
Functions of the critical path method: It enables project managers to identify vital activities in a project, whose completion is critical to how long the project will take.It will enable project managers to create an efficient schedule, with which to complete the entire project on time and on budget.
Any team in any discipline can use the technique of critical path to manage complicated projects. Furthermore, a capable project management software platform would convert the CPM data of a project into a visual depiction of tasks, their dependencies, and the critical path, making it easy to digest and put to use for an efficient management of the project.
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What Is the Critical Path in Project Management?
Critical Path Method (CPM) is most applicable in nearly all projects particularly those with two interconnected tasks that can run concurrently. It is defined as the longest sequence of dependent activities that must be performed in order to complete a project.
Activities on the critical path are labeled critical since any delays in them will delay the final completion of the whole project. This is different from activities that do not form part of critical activity sequences, which can be held up without affecting the overall completion time of the project.
The critical path is identified using the critical path method (CPM) by project managers. The critical path through a project is very useful to a project manager since it enables him/her to:Total project duration lies between estimates.Time has to be estimated to complete each project activity.Recognize critical activities that need timely completion and monitoring.Identify those activities that are amenable to resource concentration and slip availability without affecting the project schedule by calculating slack on each task.Identify task dependencies, resource constraints and project risks.Prioritize them and realistic project schedules can be created.Defining the Critical Path
The critical path method essentially entails identifying those tasks that are necessary to bring about the successful completion of a project, determining the sequence in which the tasks will be performed, and calculating the longest conceivable completion time for the project from inception to completion.
The longest project duration is called the critical path and gives an explicit time span for completing the project.
In the critical path method, the tasks are divided into two aspects: critical and non-critical aspects. The critical task is the one that must be accomplished on time for the project to be completed on time. Any delay in the execution of a critical task shall lead to a delay of the project. Non critical tasks have scheduling flexibility and are less likely to affect project completion.
The use of critical path analysis becomes an even more powerful tool for project managers in projects with a multitude of interdependent activities since by doing so they can identify any potential bottlenecks and ensure the most effective allocation of resources. The identification of the critical path provides project managers with the facility to give priority to the tasks to minimize the associated risks and ensure that a project is on track and delivered on time.
Advantages of Adopting CPM in Project Management
It is true that why to utilise critical path methods in management can be quoted from many angles. It is indeed a most important project management tool meeting the fundamental objective of delivering the project on time and within budget. This has been exhaustively articulated. Here, then, is the other angle of looking at it.
1. Critical Path Analysis Bolsters Team Communication
In fact, it heightens communication among the project team. Everyone is contributing inputs, and they would have combined the skill of different project team members for the greater good of the project as a whole: subcontractors, architects, electricians, construction managers, etc., etc.
2. CPM Helps in Task Prioritisation
Of course, it would help you to prioritize your work after knowing which is the critical path. You know what has to be done and thus give you some leeway somewhere either in time or cost because surely not every activity will be completed but the most important ones will be.
3. CPM & PERT Help in Accurate Schedule Making
Critical path method will enable you to schedule the project more accurately, especially when coupled with PERT charts. Better estimation, identification of risk areas, and preparation in avoiding loss-making delays will be possible.
4. Map Project Plans with CPM & Gantt Charts
Another great thing about CPM is that it has been represented on the timeline of a Gantt chart, making it visual. With great visual tools to communicate the timing of the project actions, one enjoys the advantage of bringing the audience where one wants to relay information. Not all people learn the same way. Visual tools have encouraged teams further to understand what is required of them and when these should become available.
Steps of calculating critical path
Here are the Steps on How to Calculate the Critical Path of a Work
Step 1: Identify all tasks that need to be executed on the project
Create a list of all the functions or activities that must be accomplished in order to complete the project successfully; it is also known as a work breakdown structure. When made properly, the work breakdown structure is a road map that directs the team in accomplishing the projects, whether simple or very complex
Step 2: Establish the sequence of tasks
Following that, define the overall order of the tasks. Certain tasks need to be completed first before they can be started, while others may be executed in parallel. This is one of the critical steps in establishing the way the dependencies between two or more tasks are linked to each other.
Step 3: Estimate the duration of every task
Assign to each activity in the project a time estimate, i.e. the entire time to be spent from beginning to end in completing that activity. Include buffers or contingency time in all estimates to consider any delays or difficulties when performing the activities.
The forward and backward pass techniques are two ways by which project managers can prove their credibility when it comes to defining the durations of the tasks in the project.
Forward pass: going forward from the project start and walking through the critical path diagram, provide the earliest start and finish time for each activity. This helps to determine the earliest possible project completion date for the entire project.Backward pass: Work backward from the date that the project is to be completed through the CPM chart, calculating the latest expected start and finish times for each activity. This will determine the latest completion date that can be expected for the project and the degree of scheduling flexibility or slack time available for each activity.Step 4: Draw a network diagram representing the critical path
Using information from above draw a network diagram. It should represent all the tasks with their sequence and dependencies clearly. Each task becomes a node on the diagram, and the arrows between nodes show the task dependencies.
Step 5: Identify the critical path.
The critical path is the longest path from the beginning to the final point of the project, going through all these essential tasks to finish the project. In other words, the longest chain of tasks creates the minimal time required to finish the project. Your critical path, then, is going to be this on your network diagram: the longest-durations from the initial to the final task.
Step 6: Calculate the float
Total float, or slack, is the amount of time you could push back a task without pushing back the completion of the entire project. All activities on the critical path have zero float and cannot be delayed in any way. Most noncritical activities have an amount of float which could afford some leeway in the schedule.
Also included in this calculation of total float is free float the amount of time an activity may be delayed without delaying the early start of any immediately following activity.
Step 7: Monitor the critical path
While the project is in progress, special attention must be laid on the activities along the critical path. Any failure in these activities will directly lead to the extension of the project completion date. The critical path must be kept updated and reviewed regularly to catch potential issues as early as possible, to keep the project from derailing.