Critical Path Method (CPM) in Project Management

12/19/2017 CriticalPathMethod(CPM)inProjectManagement
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CriticalPathMethod(CPM)inProjectManagement
ByFahadUsmani 136Comments
Ifyouhaveexperienceinprojectmanagement,youmighthaveheardaboutthecriticalpathmethod(CPM)aprojectmodeling
techniquedevelopedbyMorganR.WalkerandJamesE.Kellyinlate1950s(Wikipedia).
Thecriticalpathmethod(CPM)isusedextensivelybyprojectplannersworldwidefordevelopingtheprojectscheduleinalltypesof
projectsincludingIT,research,andconstruction.
ThismethodisabasisoftheprojectscheduleandisdiscussedverybroadlyinthePMBOKGuide.Youcanexpecttoseetwotothree
questions,ormore,inyourPMPexamfromthistopic.
Inthisblogpost,Iwilldiscussthecriticalpathwitharealworldexample,identifythecriticalpathinanetworkdiagram,andcalculatethe
floatforeachpath.Iwillthenlistsomeofthebenefitsandlimitationsofthecriticalpathmethod.
Onceyoubecomefamiliarwithit,IwillwalkyouthrougheverysteprequiredforcalculatingEarlyStart,EarlyFinishwithforward
pass,andthencalculateLateStart,LateFinishwithbackwardpass.
Makesureyouunderstandeachstepdescribed,otherwiseyoumightfacesomedifficultieswhenworkingwiththesecalculations.Ifyou
feelyouneedanyclarification,feelfreetoreachouttomeatanytime.
CriticalPath
Ifyoulookatanynetworkdiagram,youwillnoticemanypathsoriginatingfromonepointandendingatanotherpoint.Everypathwill
havesomeduration.Thepathwiththelongestdurationisknownasthecriticalpath.
Thecriticalpathcanbedefinedinmanywaysincluding:
https://pmstudycircle.com/2014/01/criticalpathmethodcpminprojectmanagement/ 1/33
Thelongestpathinthenetworkdiagram,or 400PMPExamSampleQuestions TryitOut

Theshortestdurationinwhichtheprojectcanbecompleted.
Now,arethesetwodefinitionsaresimilar,oraretheyoppositetoeachother?
Infact,bothdefinitionsaretryingtoconveythesamemessage.Theymightseemoppositetoyoubecausethefirstdefinitionistalking
aboutthelongestpathandtheseconddefinitionistalkingabouttheshortestduration.
However,theybotharethesame.
Forexample,letssayyoureceivedaprojecttobuildthreebuildingsinonelocation.Thefirstbuildingisthelargestbuilding,thesecond
buildingisamediumsizedbuilding,andthethirdbuildingisthesmallestbuilding.
Youdevelopthenetworkdiagramwhichconsistsofthreepathseachpathresembleseachbuilding.
Youcalculatethedurationforeachpath.Forthefirstbuilding,thedurationis31months,thesecondbuildingwilltake18months,and
thethirdbuildingwillrequire13months.
Thefirstpathrepresentsthelargestbuildingthesecondpathrepresentsthemediumsizedbuilding,andthethirdpath,thesmallest
building.
Now,reviewtheabovediagram.
Didyounoticethatthepathforthefirstbuildingisthelongestdurationofallthree?Itisthirteenmonthslongerthanthesecondpath,
and18monthslongerthanthethirdpath.Thismeansthatifyoustartworkingonthefirstbuilding,youcanwait13monthsbefore
workingonthesecondbuildingbecauseyoucancompletesecondbuildingin18months.
Likewise,youcouldwait18monthstostartworkingonthethirdbuildingbecauseitwilltakeonly13monthstocomplete.Thismeans
thatevenifyoustartworkingonthethirdbuildingafter18monthsfromtheprojectstartdate,youcancompleteitontime.
Thiswaitingperiodisknownasthefloatorslack.
So,whichisthecriticalpathinthisnetworkdiagramofthreepaths?
Ofcourse,itisthelongestpathonthenetworkdiagram,becauseyoucannotcompleteyourprojectbeforeconstructingthefirstbuilding.
Althoughyoucancompletetheothertwobuildingsquickly,untilyoucompletethefirstbuilding,yourprojectisnotconsideredcomplete.
Hence,thecriticalpathisthelongestpathonthenetworkdiagram.
Now,whatistheshortestdurationinwhichyoucancompletetheproject?
Sureenough,itis31months,becauseyoucannotcompleteyourprojectbefore31months,andthisisthedurationofthecriticalpath.
Hence,thecriticalpathistheshortestdurationinwhichyoucancompletetheproject.
So,yousee,bothdefinitionsarethesame.
Wecanconcludethatthecriticalpathisthesequenceofactivitiesfromstarttoend,andithasthelongestdurationamongallpathsina
networkdiagram.
Inidealconditions,anetworkdiagram,andtherefore,theproject,shouldhaveonlyonecriticalpath.However,ifthenetworkdiagram
hasmorethanonecriticalpath,youwillbeinadifficultsituation.Inthiscase,youwillhavetomanagemorethanonepathinparallel.
Asweknow,thecriticalpathhasthelongestduration,anditsdurationisknownasthedurationoftheproject.Sinceactivitiesona
criticalpathhavenofloatorslack,noactivityshouldbedelayed.Ifthishappens,theprojectwillbedelayed.However,ifthereare
delays,youcanuseaschedulecompressiontool,suchasfasttrackingorschedulecrashing,tobringtheprojectontrack.
Visit:FastTrackingandCrashing
Note:Youmustalwaysupdatethenetworkdiagramifthereisanychangetoitsothatyoucanhaveabetterunderstandingofactivities
andpredictthefloat,projectcompletiondates,etc.
ProcedureforFindingtheCriticalPathinaNetworkDiagram
Thefollowingistheproceduretofindthecriticalpathonanetworkdiagram:
Drawthenetworkdiagram.
Identifyallpathsinthenetworkdiagram.
Findthedurationofeachpath.
Thepathwiththelargestdurationisthecriticalpath.
Letslookattheaboveprocedureinaction.
Example
Basedonthebelownetworkdiagram,identifythetotalpaths,criticalpath,andfloatforeachpath.
Theabovenetworkdiagramhasfivepathsthepathsandtheirdurationareasfollows:
1.Start>A>B>C>End,duration:31days.
2.Start>D>E>F>End,duration:18days.
3.Start>D>B>C>End,duration:26days.
4.Start>G>H>I>End,duration:13days.
5.Start>G>E>F>End,duration:16days.
Sincethedurationofthefirstpathisthelongest,itisthecriticalpath.Thefloatonthecriticalpathiszero.
ThefloatforthesecondpathStart>D>E>F>End=durationofthecriticalpathdurationofthepathStart>D>E>F>End
=3118=13
Hence,thefloatforthesecondpathis13days.
Usingthesameprocess,wecancalculatethefloatforotherpathsaswell.
Floatforthethirdpath=3126=5days.
Floatforthefourthpath=3113=18days.
Floatforthefifthpath=3116=15days.
CalculateEarlyStart(ES),EarlyFinish(EF),LateStart(LS),andLateFinish(LF)
Wehaveidentifiedthecriticalpath,andthedurationoftheotherpaths,itstimetomoveontomoreadvancedcalculations,EarlyStart,
EarlyFinish,LateStartandLateFinish.
CalculatingEarlyStart(ES)andEarlyFinish(EF)
TocalculatetheEarlyStartandEarlyFinishdates,weuseforwardpasswewillstartfromthebeginningandproceedtotheend.
EarlyStart(ES)forthefirstactivityonanypathwillbe1,becausenoactivitycanbestartedbeforethefirstday.Thestartpointforany
activityorstepalongthepathistheendpointofthepredecessoractivityonthepathplusone.
TheformulausedforcalculatingEarlyStartandEarlyFinishdates.
EarlyStartoftheactivity=EarlyFinishofpredecessoractivity+1
EarlyFinishoftheactivity=Activityduration+EarlyStartofactivity1
EarlyStartandEarlyFinishDatesforthepathStart>A>B>C>End
EarlyStartofactivityA=1(Sincethisisthefirstactivityofthepath)
EarlyFinishofactivityA=ESofactivityA+activityduration1
=1+101=10
EarlyStartofactivityB=EFofpredecessoractivity+1
=10+1=11
EarlyFinishofactivityB=ESofactivityB+activityduration1
=11+121=22
EarlyStartofactivityC=EFofpredecessoractivity+1
=22+1=23
EarlyFinishofactivityC=ESofactivityC+activityduration1
=23+91=31
EarlyStartandEarlyFinishDatesforthepathStart>D>E>F>End
EarlyStartofactivityD=1(Sincethisisthefirstactivityofthepath)
EarlyFinishofactivityD=1+51=5
EarlyStartofactivityE=EFofpredecessoractivity+1
SincetheActivityEhastwopredecessoractivities,whichonewillyouselect?YouwillselecttheactivitywiththegreaterEarlyFinish
date.EarlyFinishofactivityDis5,andEarlyFinishofactivityGis3(wewillcalculateitlater).
Therefore,wewillselecttheEarlyFinishofactivityDtofindtheEarlyStartofactivityE.
EarlyStartofactivityE=EFofpredecessoractivity+1
=5+1=6
EarlyFinishofactivityE=6+71=12
EarlyStartofactivityF=12+1=13
EarlyFinishofactivityF=13+61=18
EarlyStartandEarlyFinishDatesforthepathStart>G>H>I>End
EarlyStartofactivityG=1(Sincethisisthefirstactivityofthepath)
EarlyFinishofactivityG=1+31=3 400PMPExamSampleQuestions TryitOut
EarlyStartofactivityH=3+1=4
EarlyFinishofactivityH=4+41=7
EarlyStartofactivityI=7+1=8
EarlyFinishofactivityI=8+61=13
CalculatingLateStart(LS)andLateFinish(LF)
WehavecalculatedEarlyStartandEarlyFinishdatesofallactivities.NowitistimetocalculatetheLateStartandLateFinishdates.
LateFinishofthelastactivityinanypathwillbethesameastheLastFinishofthelastactivityonthecriticalpath,becauseyoucannot
continueanyactivityoncetheprojectiscompleted.
ThefulausedforLateStartandLateFinishdates:
LateStartofActivity=LateFinishofactivityactivityduration+1
LateFinishofActivity=LateStartofsuccessoractivity1
TocalculatetheLateStartandLateFinish,weusebackwardpassi.e.wewillstartfromthelastactivityandmovebacktowardsthefirst
activity.
LateStartandLateFinishDatesforthepathStart>A>B>C>End
Onacriticalpath,EarlyStart,andEarlyFinishdateswillbethesameasLateStartandLateFinishdates.
LateStartandLateFinishDatesforthepathStart>D>E>F>End
LateFinishofactivityF=31(becauseyoucannotallowanyactivitytocrosstheprojectcompletiondate)
LateStartofactivityF=LFofactivityFactivityduration+1
=316+1=26
LateFinishofactivityE=LSofsuccessoractivity1
=LSofactivityF1
=261=25
LateStartofActivityE=LFofactivityEactivityduration+1
=257+1=19
LateFinishofactivityD=LSofsuccessoractivity1
Ifyoulookatthenetworkdiagram,youwillnoticethatactivityDhastwosuccessoractivities,BandE.So,whichactivitywillyouselect?
Youwillselecttheactivitywiththeearlier(least)LateStartdate.Here,LateStartofactivityBis11,andLateStartofactivityEis19.
Therefore,youwillselectactivityBwhichhastheearlierLateStartdate.
Hence,
LateFinishofactivityD=LSofactivityB1
=111=10
LateStartofActivityD=LFofactivityDactivityduration+1
=105+1=6
LateStartandLateFinishDatesforthepathStart>G>H>I>End
LateFinishofactivityI=31(becauseyoucannotallowanyactivitytocrosstheprojectcompletiondate)
LateStartofactivityI=316+1=26
LateFinishofactivityH=261=25
LateStartofactivityH=254+1=22
LateFinishofActivityG=191=18(wewillchoosethelatestartofactivityE,notactivityH,becausetheLateStartofactivityEis
earlierthantheLateStartofactivityH)
LateStartofactivityG=183+1
=16
CalculatetheFreeFloat
Istronglyrecommendyoureadmyblogpostontotalfloatandfreefloattogetabetterunderstandingbeforeproceedingfurther.
Visit:TotalFloatandFreeFloat
TheformulafortheFreeFloatis: 400PMPExamSampleQuestions TryitOut
FreeFloat=ESofnextactivityEFofcurrentactivity1
BenefitsoftheCriticalPathMethod
Thefollowingareafewbenefitsofthecriticalpathmethod:
Itshowsthegraphicalviewoftheproject.
Itdiscoversandmakesdependenciesvisible.
Ithelpsinprojectplanning,scheduling,andcontrolling.
Ithelpsincontingencyplanning.
Itshowsthecriticalpath,andidentifiescriticalactivitiesrequiringspecialattention.
Ithelpsyouassignthefloattoactivitiesandflexibilitytofloatactivities.
Itshowsyouwhereyouneedtotakeactiontobringprojectbackontrack.
Althoughthecriticalpathisveryusefultoolinprojectplanning,italsohassomelimitationsanddrawbacks.
LimitationsanddrawbacksoftheCriticalPathMethod
Becausethecriticalpathmethodisanoptimalplanningtool,italwaysassumesthatallresourcesareavailablefortheprojectatall
times.
Itdoesnotconsiderresourcedependencies.
Therearechancesofmisusingfloatorslack.
Lessattentiononnoncriticalactivities,thoughsometimestheymayalsobecomecriticalactivities.
Projectsbasedonthecriticalpathoftenfailtobecompletedwithintheapprovedtimeduration.
Toovercometheseshortcomingsofthecriticalpath,thecriticalchainmethodwasdeveloped.Inthecriticalchainmethodresource
constraintsarealsotakenintoconsiderationwhiledevelopingthenetworkdiagram.
Visit:CriticalChainMethodinProjectManagement
Summary
Thecriticalpathmethodhashelpedmanyprojectmanagersdevelopandmanagetheirschedule.Inthecriticalpathmethod,youwill
drawanetworkdiagramwithmultiplepaths.Thepathwiththelongestdurationisknownasthecriticalpath.Duringyourproject
executionyourmainemphasiswillbeonthispath,becausethisisthelongestdurationpathandthedurationofthispathwillbeduration
oftheproject.
Asaprojectmanageryouhavetokeepaneyeonyournetworkdiagramandtakepromptcorrectiveactionwhenevernecessary.
Ifyouhaveanycommentsorquestions,youcandosointhecommentssectionbelow.
IfyouareinterestedinlearningallthemathematicalformulasforthePMPexam,youcantrymyPMPFormulaGuide.Youcanalsotry
myPMPQuestionBankandPMPMockTesttopracticePMPexamsamplequestions.
j 269 f 11 h 3 s 4
Comments
bravesays
February2,2014at12:47PM
Greatjob,ithelpsmealotontheCriticalPathsdefinition,istronglyagreewithFahadwhathesaid.
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
February11,2014at11:18AM
Thanksbraveforyourcomment.
Reply
harishchandrasays
June27,2016at11:04AM
LotofthanksIamtheMBA2ndSem.Student.WhenIwasseentheIcannotunderstandbutyouareclearlydefined
aboutCPMproblemissolutionitsgivesmetobetterideas.thanksonceagain..
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
YouarewelcomeHarish.
Reply
ksays
October31,2016at1:21PM
thiswashelpful
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
ThanksKforyourcomment.
Reply
chandrasays
November23,2016at5:54PM
canuexplainitincludinglagalso
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
Innextupdate,Iwilltrytoaddamorecomplexexample.
Reply
Garysays
January17,2017at7:31AM
HiFahad, 400PMPExamSampleQuestions TryitOut

First,Thankyouforsharingyourknowledge,itisgreatlyappreciated!
IrecentlytookthePMPexam.IntheexamtheyhaveadifferentwayofrepresentingthePNDsquestionstheydonotlooklikewhat
youareshowinghereespeciallythetables.Canyoushowdifferentstylesoftablesanddiagrams?
Thanks
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
Canyouprovidemeanyexampleofit?
Reply
SayedQasimsays
Excellentposts,Pleasecontinue.
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
Thanksforstoppingby
Reply
JimMcKsays
WhilecalculationsusingtheDay1methodarequitesimple,doyounotbelievethatcalculatingtheCriticalPathislessinvolvedusingtheDay0
method?IknowthatbotharecorrectandperhapsitsjustamatterofpreferencebutitjustseemstomethatDay0allowsyoutodothe
calculationonsightandyoudonthavetotrack+/days.Thatbeingsaid,IamstudyingformyPMPexamandwouldappreciateguidanceifIam
notlookingatthisissuethewayIshouldbe.
Thankyouinadvanceforyourthoughts,advice&direction.
JimMcKinney
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
Itisyourchoicewhetheryouchosetostartfor0or1.IonlyfollowedtheconventionusedbythePMBOKguide.
Moreover,itsoundsgoodwhenyousay:Hey!todayismyfirstdayoftheproject,insteadofsayingHey!todayismyzerodayofthe
project
Reply
Donaldsays
IamthankfulforyourgreatworkMrFahad.itreallyhelpedmeinmyprojectmanagementcourse.
thanks.
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
YouarewelcomeDonald.
Reply
Malonesays
Iamabeginner.Formethisarticleislikeaboon.YoumadetheconceptofCPMlooksoeasy.Lookforwardtomanymoresucharticles.Good
Going.
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
ThankyouMaloneforyourcomment.
Reply
samsabasays
March6,2014at11:30PM
Ialreadyrecommendedthisarticletomyclassmates.wearetakingschedulingandcostcontrolcourse.
Ilikeit,andmyfriendstoo.Itissimpleandeasytounderstandtheconcept.Thanks.
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
March8,2014at3:38PM
Thanks.
Letmeknowifyouwantmetowriteonanytopic.
Reply
BayuGebeyehusays
June18,2015at3:34PM
Itaninterestingapproachyoudidanditwasmorefriendlytounderstand
Keepitup
Manythanks 400PMPExamSampleQuestions TryitOut
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
ThanksBayuforyourcomment.
Reply
senedusays
Thanksomuch.Itisveryhelpful.
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
YouarewelcomeSenedu.
Reply
Ajsays
March18,2014at2:08AM
Fahad,
Thanksforagreatarticle.Iamcurrentlyinaprojectmanagement/operationsmanagementcourseandamstrugglingwiththeassignment.Would
youbewillingtotakealookandmaybegivemesomeadviceonhowtoproceed?
Thanks,
AJ
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
Youcansendmemailatfahad@pmstudycircle.com
Reply
Emmanuelsays
ThisarticleoffersasimplisticapproachtoCPM,Ireallyenjoyedreadingit.
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
ThanksEmmanuel
Reply
Mayokperesays
June10,2014at4:35AM
Brilliantwriteup!Ireallyenjoyedyourwriteup&lotsofdoubtshavebeencleardupGladIfoundyoursitebeforemyexams.canyouenlightenme
onthelimitationsofnetworkdiagrams?Manythanks.keepthegoodworksup.
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
June11,2014at7:28AM
Iftheprojectislargeandcomplexwithmanyactivitiesandrelationship,itmightgetdifficulttomanageandtakepropercontrolonit.
Reply
Somsays
June14,2014at4:28PM
ExcellentpostFahad.Verywellexplained.
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
June15,2014at7:25AM
ThanksSomforyourcomment.
Reply
mbalisays
July29,2014at1:30PM
Higuys,
iamaladyfromSouthAfricaandIamstrugglingwiththissubjectoncriticalpath.canyoukindlyhelpmeindrawingthenetworkdiagramforthe
following
activityDaysImmediatepredecessor
A10
B11
C9A,B
D5A,B
E8A,B
F13C,E
G5C,D
H10G
I6F,G
J9E,H
K11J
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
July29,2014at3:08PM
Pleasecheckyouremail.
Reply
nikunjdudhatrasays
May1,2016at8:38AM
Plzsendmealsosolution
Reply
MuziKhathidesays
August15,2014at10:18AM
Imhalfwaythroughthearticle,willfinishwhenimathomebutwantedtocommendyouonajobwelldoneFahad.
Gettingsomuchunderstanding.ImwritingmyCAPMexamintwoweekstimeandthisishelpingclearsomethingsup.
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
August15,2014at1:12PM
Imgladyoufindituseful.
Reply
MohammedEzazsays
HiFahad,
Firstofall,thanksalotforthiswonderfullpost,Onesmalldoubt,
Aspermyunderstanding,ActivityA,D&GarestartsinParellel,IfyesthenhowthefloatperiodforActivityG=2wasitnot7?
7sinceActivityAendson10thdayandGearlyendon3sodifferenceis7.
SamecalculationholdsgoodgorActivityDwhichiscorrect(Float=5).
ThanksinAdvance
Ezaz
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
Pleaserefermyblogpostontotalfloatandfreefloat:
https://pmstudycircle.com/2013/03/totalfloatversusfreefloat/
Reply
Rajeshsays
HiFahad,
CouldyoupleasehelpmeinsolvingthebelowCPMquestionwithFFLag
http://www.oliverlehmann.com/pmpselftest/75freequestions.htm
Ques31.
.Activity1hasadurationof20days,activity2of10days,activity3of5daysandactivity4of6days.
WhatistheminimumtotaldurationbetweenthemilestonesAandB?
36days
37days
39days
42days
Thanks,
Rajesh
Reply
TauseefQuresheysays
CanweincreaseFloatorSlackfortheotherpathsbyusingScheduleCompressiontechniquesi.eCrashingTechniquesorFasttrackingtechnique
intheotherpaths?
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
Reducingdurationofotherpathsdoesnotmakesensebecausedurationofthecriticalpathisthedurationofyourproject.
Incrashingorfasttracking,youraimistodecreasethedurationofthecriticalpath.
Reply
ZeeshanAzharsays
SimpleststepbysteplearningofCPM.
ThumbsupFahad!
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
ThanksZeeshan.
Reply
MuhammadAnjumsays
March1,2015at6:54AM
InCPMnetworking,wenormallyconsiderFSrelationshipwith0lag.ButinactualworkingwealsouseFF,SSandSFlinkswithsomevalueoflag
time.So,inthiscase,howshallwecalculateournetworkdiagram(early&latedates,total&freefloat)?
Willuyoupleasegiveanyexampleofittounderstandtheconceptbetter?
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
March1,2015at1:31PM
IwilladdthesecaseswhenIwillupdatethisblogpost.
Reply
Santoshsays
April2,2015at12:17AM
HiFahad,
DoesPMPexamaskssuchcalculationquestionsonCPM/ForwardPass/BackwardPass?
Thanks,
Santosh
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
April2,2015at7:36AM
Yes.
Reply
yousefsays
April2,2015at2:58PM
theansweris42days
Reply
Rogersays
April23,2015at3:11PM
HiFahad,
Iwillhaveexamaboutconstrucitonplanningandcpmcalculation..Ihavebasicinformation,IcancpmcalculatingbyArrowandNodediagram.But
Iamconfusedwhentherearelimitedresouce.Inthelastexam,MyInstructergavesquestionaboutconstrucitondesigningandgaveconstruction
calendar.Inthequestion,therearethreefloor,andsecondfloordependedfirst,thirdfloordependedsecondfloor.Alsolimitedresource.Icant
solvethis.PleasehelpmeaboutthisquestionsIcantfindanyresourcesorexampleaboutit.
Inadddition,sheaskedquesitonaboutdesigninbirdgeandshewantscpmcalculations.Butshedidntgivedependence.So?mustlearnstepsof
designinbridge.
Thanks..
vathan1234@gmail.com
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
Firstofall,makealistofallactivities,thenfindthedependencies.Afterit,drawthediagramandthenyoucanapplytheresources.
Reply
turansays
howcan?applyresources?
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
Forexampleletssaythatanactivityrequirestwopeopletocompletetheworkintwodaysbutafterreviewingtheresources
youfindthatyouhaveonlyoneworkeravailableatthattime,soyoumayincreasethedurationoftheactivitytofourdaysto
inyourdiagram.
Reply
LWarrensays
May6,2015at5:14AM
Whenataskhastwosuccessors,whichsuccessortaskdoyouusetocalculateFreeFloatonthepredecessortask.Forexample,inyourdiagram,
tocalculatetheFreeFloatfortaskD,wouldyouusetheESfortaskBortaskEinthecalculation?
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
May8,2015at1:23PM
Pleasereadmybelowgivenblogpostonfreeandtotalfloat,Itexplainseverythingindetail:
Reply
Hollysays
May11,2015at11:09PM
IamstudyingformyPMPexam.ithoughtiunderstoodtheCPMwhenexplainedinclass.butafteristudiedyourpost,ijustwishedyouweremy
teacher!!
Thanksamillion..youarethebest!
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
May12,2015at10:05AM
ThanksHollyforyourcomment.LetmeknowifyouneedanyfurtherhelpforyourPMPexampreparation.
Reply
TauseefQuresheysays
May12,2015at3:44PM
Howwecanhavemorethanonecriticalpath,ifwedothenhowwecanmanagemorethanonecriticalpathandwhichcriticalpathwillrepresent
projectduration?
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
May17,2015at2:02PM
Ifthedurationoftwopathissame,youwillhavetwocriticalpathandyouhavetomanagebothofthem.Thedurationofthesepathwillbe
thedurationoftheproject(bothdurationwillbethesame).
Reply
ErastusNyagahsays
June2,2015at10:50PM
amdoingaprojectandallmytasksareshownascritical.Whatcouldbeamiss
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
June5,2015at12:31PM
Doyoumeanthatallpathsarehavingequalduration?
Reply
vetuusays
July12,2015at11:07PM
iamaladyfromSouthAfricaandIamstrugglingwiththissubjectoncriticalpath.canyoukindlyhelpmeindrawingthenetworkdiagramforthe
following:
A2
B4
CB5
DA4
EA,C6
FB,D2
G5
HE,F,G
IA3
JI,H,2
K,H4
L,J,K6
M,F,L,I4 400PMPExamSampleQuestions TryitOut

N,L5
O,N,D,M6
P,M2
Q,O,P,M3
R,N,Q5
S,O2
Reply
Madhansays
July26,2015at2:05PM
Ilikedthewayyouhaveexplained,verysimpleandeasytounderstand.
IwouldliketoknowaboutPERTalso,pleasesharethelink
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
July26,2015at11:06PM
HereisthelinkoftheblogpostonPERT:
https://pmstudycircle.com/2013/08/pertprogramevaluationandreviewtechnique/
Reply
kisholoysays
July31,2015at9:18AM
Thanksalotforthishardwork,ItclearsallthedoubtsaboutCritical,greatjob
kisholoy
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
YouarewelcomeKisholoy.
Reply
Sumantsays
HiFahad,
Thanksforthis,itisselfsufficientandselfexplanatory,butwhatistheTotalfloatandFreefloatinthisexample.
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
Youcanreadbelowgivenblogpostfortotalfloatandfreefloat:
Reply
Tessysays
Thisreallyhelpedalot.Yourexplanationmadeitsoeasyandunderstandable.
Plskeepupthegoodwork.
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
ThankyouTessyforyourcomment.
Reply
Sarahsays
September1,2015at5:34PM
Plsfahadreallyneedhelpondrawingthisnetworkdiagramtriedbutnotsosureifitscorrectanditsreallyurgentitsanassignmentat
school.thanks
Activitypreceedingactivityduration
A._.11
B._.8
C._.14
D.A,B.15
E.D.6
F.E.14
G.E.12
H.F.4
I.G,H.13
J.G,H.10
K.H.12
L.I.6
M.J,K,L.5
N.J,K,L.7
OC,M,N.15
P.O.3
Q.O.4
RP,Q.7
Determinetheprojectdurationandwhatarethechancesthatdprojectwouldbecompletedin85weeksafterthecommencementofwork
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
September3,2015at8:35AM
Iwillchecktheemailandletyouknow.
Reply
Mattsays
Hi!
Willthelastforwardpasscalculationforthefinalactivityendupbeingthelargestnumberoutofalloftheforwardpasscalculations?Irecentlydida
problemwherethelastforwardpasscalculationwasntthelargestnumberofalloftheforwardpassresults.MaybeImadeamatherror?
Thanks
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
HelloMatt,
Ihaverepliedtoyouremail.
Reply
Laurensays
Greatexplanationandexample!
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
October13,2015at11:17AM
ThanksLaurenforyourcomment.
Reply
vinodsays
HisirihavedoubtindefinitionofcriticalpathYouhavesaidthatpathwiththelongestdurationisknownasthecriticalpath.andafterthatyou
havegivenotherdefinitionascriticalpathisshortestdurationinwhichtheprojectcanbecompleted.Youhaveusebothshortestandlongest
durationpleaseclarifymethispoint
Reply
vinodsays
sorrymybadipostthatcommentbeforereadingtheexplanationthatyouhavegiven.actuallyuhavegivenclearexplanationaboutthedoubtthati
haveintheblogonlysorryforthatcomment.
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
Noproblem.
Reply
Saqibsays
November20,2015at9:24AM
AssalamOAlikumFahad
cantherebemorethanoneCPinNetwork?ifYesthenplssharesomeexampleinbelowformatsothaticandesigntheCPMandfindoutthe
morethanoneCPatmyown.Thankyou
ActivityDescriptionPredecessorsTime(days)
AInitialPaperwork3
BBuildBodyA3
CBuildFrameA2
DFinishBodyB3
EFinishFrameC7
FFinalPaperworkB,C3
GMountBodytoFrameD,E6
HInstallSkirtonFrameC2
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
Okay,Iwilltrytoupdatethisblogposttoincludethisinformation.
Reply
Saqibsays
AAFahad
iwanttoknowcantherebemorethanonecriticalpathinaNetwork?ifyesplsshareanexamplesothaticanfindoutbymyownthemultiple
CPs.
thankyou
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
Ifyouhavemorethanonecriticalpath,theriskwillbemoreandyouhavewatchoutforbothpaths.
Reply
TauseefQuresheysays
HowwecanfindoutFreeFloatfortheactivitiesbyBackwardPassmethod.InyouPMPFormulaguideonlyForwardPassMethodismentioned.
CanyouletmeknowhowfreefloatcanbecalculatedfromBackwardPassMethod.withexamples.
Thankyouverymuchforthis 400PMPExamSampleQuestions TryitOut
AllahHafiz
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
Hereisthecompleteblogpostontotalfloatandfreefloat:
Pleasereadthisblogpost.
Reply
YBsays
HiFahad,
Excellantpresentation,ilikeyoursimpleexplainationwiththesimplerealisticexamples.greatjob!
forLSandLFformulasIthinkitimportanttoshowthebrackets
forexample
LateStartofactivityF=(LFofactivityFactivityduration)+1
=316+1=26thisiscorrectrepresentation
ifsameformulawithoutbracketcouldbeinterpretedas
LateStartofactivityF=LFofactivityFactivityduration+1
=316+1
=317=24whichisincorrect.
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
January22,2016at2:08PM
Signof6isnegativeand1ispositive,theyarenevergoingtobeaddedtoeachotherregardlessthepositionsofbrackets.
Reply
YBsays
ofcourse,Iwasmakingpointthattherechanceoferrorislessandeasiertoremember,assomebooksstartwithzeroasfirstday.
thanksagain.
Youhaveverygoodskillofpresentation.
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
Itisyourpersonalchoice,youarefreetofollowyourchoice.
Reply
MJsays
HI
IamabouttogivethePMPtestforthesecondtime.InmyfirstexamtherewasanetworkdiagraminthequestionthatjusthadtheactivitiesABC
Detc,howeveritneverusedthetermStartorFinish.WasPMItryingtotrickmethere.shouldthereplybelikeunabletodetermineasthiswas
oneoftheoptions
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
Typeofdependencyisneededtodrawanetworkdiagram.InyourcaseIthinkunabletodeterminewillbetherightanswer.
Reply
Mwambasays
GoodmorningSir,amaladyfromZambiaandIamstrugglingwiththissubjectoncriticalpath.Pleasehelpwiththestepstofollowwhendrawing
thenetworkdiagrams.Ihavenoticedyouarequietgoodwiththistopic.Godblessyou.
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
OkayMwamba,Iwillsoonupdatethisblogposttoaccommodateyourrequest.
Reply
MbaliKhumalosays
March5,2016at6:43PM
GreetingsFahad.
IfIhavetwopathswithaslack/floatofzerobutwithdifferentdurations,whichoneisthecriticalpath?
Regards
Mbali
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
March8,2016at8:16AM
Thismeansbothpathsarehavingsamedurationandsobothofthemwillbecriticalpaths.
Reply
Fergusonsays
Thanksthiswilldefinitelyhelp.
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
YouarewelcomeFerguson.
Reply
kssays
May15,2016at6:25AM
LateFinishofactivityF=31(becauseyoucannotallowanyactivitytocrosstheprojectcompletiondate)
Idontunderstandtheabovestatement.IthoughttheLFoftheFshouldbesameasEFonthebackwardpass.
Howisit31.
SamegoeswithactivityI.
PleaseexplaintheLFonactivityFandI.
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
May16,2016at8:19PM
Sincetheprojectfinisheson31thereforeyoucannotallowanyactivityonanyotherpathtocompleteafter31.
Reply
Anandsays
September8,2016at9:59AM
Hi
CanyouPleaseanswerofthisQuestion?
ThedurationofactivityBis25days,theearlystartisday20andthelatestartisday30.activitiesC,DandHallhaveafinishtostart
dependencywiththisactivity.ActivityHisacriticalactivity.ThisimpliesthatactivityB.
A)isalsoacriticalactivityasHcanonlybeginonceBiscompleted
B)mustbecompletedbyday45toavoiddelayingH
C)Doesnotlieonthecriticalpath
D)hasafloatof25days
E)isnotcriticalandthereforecannotbeconnectedwithactivityH
Reply
mercysays 400PMPExamSampleQuestions TryitOut

hi,iamabeginnerandfoundthisveryhelpfulsinceiamanelearner
thankyou!
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
YouarewelcomeMercy.
Reply
RituPalodsays
greatexplanation.reallyhelped
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
ThanksRitu.
Reply
CharlottePrinsloosays
December1,2016at3:42PM
TaskPredecessorDuration(days)
AStart5
BA5
CA6
DB,C13
EB6
FD4
GC9
HE,F,&G2
HiFahad.pleaseassitmewithdiagram,iamstrugglingandcametoyourblogwhilstsearchingforguidance,Iamaladyandisstudyingparttime,
thisispartofmyassignment,PLEASEHELP.
thankingyouinadvance
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
Sendmeyourquestiononmyemail,Iwilltrytoreplyyou.
Reply
SYMsays
Thiswassuperblyhelpful!Thankyou!!!!
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
YouarewelcomeSym.
Reply
SatishAvatesays
VerygoodinformationonCPM,
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
ThanksSatishforyourcomment.
Reply
Khansays
whatainfoushareHeadsoffdear
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
ThanksKhan.
Reply
AndyKaufman,PMPsays
ThisisaGREATpost.Thankyouforexplainingitsoclearly,Fahad.Thisvideoisofferedasasupplement,foryourconsideration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Lo4zsBbjE
Italsousesthe+1/1approachinsteadofthestartingwithzero.
Thankyouagainforthetremendouslyhelpfulassistanceyouareprovidingpeople!
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
ThanksAndy.
Reply
Gailsays
May13,2017at11:12PM
DearFahad,
Thankyouverymuchforpostingyourarticle.
IaminresearchingCPAformyexamnextweekandstrugglingtofindtheanswerstoquestionssuchas
WhatdifficultiesdoesCPAface?
WhereCPAcangowrong?
CasestudieswhereCPAhasnotworked
AnalyseandevaluatethelimitationsofCPA?
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
May14,2017at10:10AM
Readthisblogpost:
https://pmstudycircle.com/2014/02/criticalchainmethodccminprojectmanagement/
Reply
ShafiqUrRehmansays
May16,2017at1:18AM
HiFahad,
ThanksforyourallpostaboutCPM.
Canyoupleaseshareyouremailanddoyouhaveanymocktestsforpracticethatwecanpurchase.
Thanks
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
May19,2017at9:56AM
Youcandetailsofmymocktesthere:
https://pmstudycircle.com/pmpquestionbank/
Reply
Lucernsays
July20,2017at5:17PM
IhaveonequestiononProjectTimeManagement.
Questionis:
Ascheduleactivitymaybegin10daysbeforethepredecessoractivityfinishes.
Thisisanexampleof:
a.FinishtoStart
b.StarttoFinish
c.StarttoStart
d.FinishtoFinish
Whatistheanswerandwhy?
Thanksinadvance.
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
July24,2017at10:51AM
FinishtoStartwithtendayslead.
Reply
Nadeemsays
August19,2017at9:23AM
DearMr.Fahad
Ilikethestepbystepsimpleway,youexplained.Forwardpassandbackwardpasssoundsverycomplicatedbutafteryourexplainationtheseare
verysimple.Thanksandkeepitup.
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
ThanksNadeemforyourvisitandleavingyourcomment.
Reply
BalamuruganMunusamysays
DearMr.Farad,
Kindlyneedyourhelponsolvingthebelowquestion.Imstrugglingoncompletingthisquestion.
ActivityDescriptionPrecedingactivityDuration(hours)
AShutdownexistingcomputer2
BDisconnectwiringA5
CRemoveexistingcomputerB10
DRemoveexistingwiringB20
EInstallnewwiringD,C5
FTestnewwiringE3
GMoveinnewcomputerC12
HConnectnewwiringF,G4 400PMPExamSampleQuestions TryitOut

IInstalloperatingsystemH6
JCheckmemoryI2
KCheckoperatingsystemI3
LCheckperipheralsJ,K4
(a)Constructanetworkdiagramforthisproject.
(b)Determinethecriticalpathandshowthisonyourdiagram.
(c)Whatistheoveralldurationoftheproject?
(d)Explainwhatwouldhappenifindependentlyanyofthefollowingweretohappen:
(i)ActivityBtooksevenhours
(ii)ActivityGtook18hours
(iii)ActivityCtook21hours
(iv)ActivitiesAandBcouldbedoneatthesametime.
Reply
ColinMcDanielsays
JosephPhillipsinhisbookAllinOneCAPM/PMPProjectManagementCertificationdoesaterriblejobexplainingfloatandhowtocalculateit.
Youdoanexcellentjob,butIdontunderstandwherethedivergentpathscomefrom/wheretheseoriginate?Noseemstoexplainthis.Inyour
example,youhavealinefromDtoBandGtoE.Whatdoesthisrepresentandhowaretheydetermined?
Thanks!
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
Youwilldetermineitduringyourprojectplanning.Theprocessiscalledactivitysequencing.
Reply
Chhayasays
Veryclearexplanationandreallyhelpful
Thankyousir
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
YouarewelcomeChhaya.
Reply
KabeerBalasays
HiFahadpleaseIneedhelpinthis
ActivityDurationpreceededby
A3
B2
C4B
D2A,C
E5A
F6E
G4E
H5G
I3D,F
J7G,I
K4G,I
L3H,K
Question:
1.Drawtheactivitydiagram
2.Calculatethefloat,Earlystart,Earlyfinish,LastStart,Lastfinishforeachactivity
Ihopeyouwillhelpmewiththis.thanks
Reply
Jillanisays
HiFahad
Couldyoupleaseexplainaboutthedummyactivity?Andalsocanadummyactivitybeonthecriticalpath?
Thanks
Jillani
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
Pleaserefertothefollowinglink:
https://projectmanagementknowledge.com/definitions/d/dummyactivity/
Reply
ronditysays
Extremelyinformative,likedthepost
Reply
FahadUsmanisays
ThanksRondityforyourcomment.
Reply
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12/19/2017 CriticalPathMethod(CPM)inProjectManagement

Home PMPQuestions Resources ContactHours Notes

Thelongestpathinthenetworkdiagram,or 400PMPExamSampleQuestions TryitOut

EarlyFinishofactivityG=1+31=3 400PMPExamSampleQuestions TryitOut

TheformulafortheFreeFloatis: 400PMPExamSampleQuestions TryitOut

HiFahad, 400PMPExamSampleQuestions TryitOut

Manythanks 400PMPExamSampleQuestions TryitOut

M,F,L,I4 400PMPExamSampleQuestions TryitOut

Thankyouverymuchforthis 400PMPExamSampleQuestions TryitOut

mercysays 400PMPExamSampleQuestions TryitOut

HConnectnewwiringF,G4 400PMPExamSampleQuestions TryitOut

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