Critical Path Method

(CPM)
By
Drishya D Nambiar
Civil Trainer
EduCADD
INTRODUCTION
Critical path is a sequence of activity between a project’s start and finish that takes the longest
time to complete.
Critical path method is based on mathematical calculations and it is used for scheduling project
activities.
Critical path is the sequential activities from stat to the end of a project. Although many projects
have only one critical path, some projects may have more than one critical paths depending on
the flow logic used in the project
The essential technique for using CPM is to construct
a model of the project that includes the following

A list of all activities required to complete the project

(typically categorized within a work breakdown structure)

The time(duration) that each activity will take to completion

The dependencies between the activities

Why CPM is important?
Identifies the Most Important Tasks
Helps to Reduce Timelines
Compares Planned with Actual
Key steps in the CPM
STEP 1
SPECIFY EACH ACTIVITY
STEP 2
E S TA B L I S H D E P E N D E N C I E S
(ACTIVITY SEQUENCE)
STEP 3
D R AW T H E N E T W O R K D I A G R A M
STEP 4
E S T I M AT E A C T I V I T Y C O M P L E T I O N T I M E
STEP 5
I D E N T I F Y T H E C R I T I C A L PAT H
STEP 6
U P D AT E T H E C R I T I C A L PAT H D I A G R A M T O S H O W P R O G R E S S
How to calculate critical path?
Terms Related to CPM
Float(slack): it is the amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project
Crashing : reducing a project’s duration is called crashning
Critical activity: activity with zero float.
Resource leveling: it is an iterative process of assigning crews to activities in order to calculate
their duration
Network Analysis
Network analysis is a technique for planning and controlling large projects, such as construction
work, Research and development projects, computerization of systems etc.
Its primary aim is to program and monitor the progress of a project so that the project is
completed in the minimum time. – In doing this, it pinpoints the parts of the project which are
“crucial”.
It can also be used in allocating resources such as labor and equipment and thus helps to make
the total cost of a project minimum.
Terms related to network analysis
WBS – Break down the project into constituent activities such that each activity is clearly
identifiable and manageable
Activity – This is a physically identifiable part of the project that consumes time and resources. It
is represented by an arrow (in AOA diagrams)
Events – These are the beginning or end points of an activity . Event is a point in time and does
not consume any time or resource and is represented by a circle
Path – This is a continuous chain of activities from the beginning to the end of the project
Draw the network diagram?
What is the critical path and project duration?

ABDEF:7+2+4+4+3=20

ACDEG:7+4+4+4+5=24