The critical path method is a schedule management method based on mathematical calculations, which is mainly used for the analysis of network diagrams, regardless of resource constraints. Key points about the critical path approach include:
Regardless of resource constraints, the longest path in the network diagram is the critical path.
Each project has at least one critical path, and can have several. If there are multiple critical paths, the higher the schedule risk.
It is possible for the critical path to change during the course of a project, especially during the course of the project, where new activities may become critical path, or the original critical path may no longer be critical path.
The steps of the critical path approach involve breaking down the project into separate activities and determining the duration of each activity. These activities are then connected by logical relationships (end-to-start, end-to-end, start-to, and start-to-end). This makes it possible to calculate the duration of the project, the time characteristics of each activity (earliest and latest, floating time), and so on. In the critical path approach, if resources are loaded on an activity, a resource demand and allocation analysis of the project can also be performed. This method is one of the most important analytical tools in modern project management, and the critical path is usually calculated using a seven-grid network diagram.
There are also a variety of methods in the critical path: forward and backward method, critical chain, etc., contact us to learn more about the critical path.