How to Show the Critical Path in P6

DECEMBER 9, 2013 BY MICHAEL LEPAGE 13 COMMENTS

Cant find your Critical Path in Primavera P6? Dont worry, it might be hiding.
Here are 4 easy ways you can laser-in on your projects Critical Path in P6.

4 Easy Ways to Show the Critical Path in P6

1. Check the Gantt Chart
By default, the P6 Gantt chart will show your projects Critical Path activities
in bright red. This makes it easy to have a quick glance at the Gantt Chart
et voila!, your Critical Path stands-out like a safety vest.

Hey! Its not working! I dont see any red Critical Path activities on my
project. What gives?
Glad you asked.

Maybe your Gantt chart looks like this instead.

Primavera P6, by default, uses Total Float to decide if an Activity is Critical

or not. Activities with a Total Float value of 0 (or less) usually show red on
the Gantt. If you have no red Activities, you may have a Must Finish
By date set on your project. If your project is finishing earlier than the Must
Finish By deadline, then you may not have any activities with 0 or less Float
values which means there are no Critical activities.
If thats the case, tell P6 to show Critical Path by the Longest Path rather
than by Total Float.
1. Press F9, and then click the Options button.
2. Find the setting Define Critical Activities as. Choose Longest
Path.
3. Reschedule your Project.
4. Notice the Gantt chart now. You should see a red Critical Path now.
You can always read more about the Critical Path vs Longest Path.
2. Use the Critical Path / Longest Path Columns
Edit your columns and go digging for one called Critcal and another
calledLongest Path. Add one or both of these nifty columns to your
Activity Layout to show clearly which activities are Critical.

3. Turn On a Filter
Using a Filter can also be a quick and effective way to manifest your Critical
Path. Click the Filters button to turn on the Critical Path filter. This will show
only the Critical Activities. Theres also a filter for the Longest Path.

4. Check the Schedule Log

Lastly, you can always check the P6 Schedule Log. The Schedule Log is a
log file that gets updated every time your project is scheduled. Press F9 and
make sure the box labeled Log to File is checked on. Then, click
the View Log button to open the Schedule Log.
Once you have the log file open in Notepad, youll have to scroll down to the
section labeled Exceptions. But you should see in the log a list of your
projects Critical Activities.