The critical path method (CPM) is a technique that is applied in projects for the analysis, scheduling and planning of projects that have a level of complication, since basically this method requires the classification of the activities that must be completed to complete the project, the time each one lasts and the dependencies between them.
In general the critical path is the amount of time the project takes to complete, this helps to have knowledge of what should be the way in which the development of the project has to be structured and thus have the guarantee that it will be done on time and for a low cost, indicating that it helps to understand the optimal timeline for finish it.
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In this article you will find:
What is the critical path method?
This method use estimated times, which indicates that it consists of the following:
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- Establish links between activities, indicating a follow-up order between them.
- Define the estimated time and cost of each of the activities.
- Use the diagram as a tool to plan, control and monitor the project.
- Identify each activity that is involved in the project.
- Create a network or diagram that connects directly with the activities.
- Identify clearances and the critical path of activities that make up the project.
Networks that exist within the critical tuta method
These networks can determine the development of this method in a project:
Precedence networks
The activities are located in the nodes and through the arrows they are connected and their relationship to each other is specified, allowing special relationships between all the activities.
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In any project, different tools can be applied, which estimate the desired results as Gantt, PERT and Microsoft Project, however, to develop the project effectively, you should not leave from apply el critical path method.
Arrows diagram
Make a network or diagram in the sample of activities that belong to the development of the project, allows to show the logical sequence in which must be carried out and the dependence between the activities is specified, which are represented and through arrows and joined by means of nodes.
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Steps to perform the critical path method
The steps it takes to take a critical path in the execution of a project, they are classified as follows:
Describe tasks
Before starting, it is important to define the scope of the project, you must propose an objective and make a description of each of the activities that must be carried out and thus achieve it successfully.
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It is necessary to be specific and to carefully calculate the time it will take to complete each step, because by taking sequential steps, the project may not be achieved. A perfect tool is the Excel sheet, since it is flexible and creates a graphical format that allows you to take the next steps of the method correctly.
Identify the dependent factors
When the activities have already been recognized, the steps that are dependent on others should be identified, this is an important activity that requires a little more time.
Make a table of sequence of activities
At this point, the time it will take to complete each of the steps must be determined, therefore, it is the right time to place yourself in a table and divide them by dependencies.
Evaluate resources
Before setting the exact time, it is essential to consider the resources. Once the time required for the activities is known, it can be determined who can be delegated and if there are activities that can be carried out at the same time. By doing this, an organized and efficient plan can be created.
Determine total clearance
Slack refers to the amount of time an activity takes before the project deadline changes. This can be an indication of the efficiency of the project for managers and in turn tell them if the project is out of time.
The total slack performs the evaluation of the development of the project. When the slack is positive it indicates that the culmination of that activity will be ready before or in time estimated, while if it is negative it means that the activity will lengthen the date on which the project will be delivered full.
This information helps you adjust the critical path analysis and meeting deadlines.
Review the critical path
Once the sequence calculation is performed and the total clearance is determined, the critical path review. For this, the activities should be ordered according to the sequences that will take the longest to complete and those that are most important to the project.
In case there are sequences that can be executed at the same time, the similar activities will be carried out and in this way the project can be done more efficiently. Finally, those that are less critical and those that are not sequential are located at the end of the timeline.
Advantages of the critical path method
Within this project management there are important benefits such as the following:
- It helps to manage and identify the main activities of the project.
- To avoid affecting the project due to the delay in any of the activities, a plan can be made that identifies the activities in order of priority.
- Analysis of this method can help reduce the duration time and simplify the risk assessment process.
- The critical path analysis facilitates project management within a perfect framework to measure the actual development of the project with the planned progress.
- By tracking results, you can see inefficiencies and take steps to eliminate workflow.
The critical path method, is a technique that allows identifying and controlling activities during the development of a certain project, therefore, in the Today, thanks to the evolution of automated software, it has become a fundamental tool in project production.
