Critical Path Software

What is a Critical Path Analysis?

The critical path method (CPM) is a technique that identifies tasks that are necessary for project completion and determines scheduling flexibilities. A critical path in project management is the longest sequence of activities that must be finished on time in order for the entire project to be complete. Any delays in critical tasks will delay the rest of the project.

How to Conduct a Critical Path Analysis?

• Begin by opening a Creately workspace and selecting a critical path framework.
• You can link your workspace to a work breakdown structure and identify each task involved in the project.
• The next step is to identify dependencies. Listing the immediate predecessors of each activity will help you identify the correct order in which they need to be carried out.
• Once you have listed the activities and their dependencies you can create the network diagram of the project.
• Now estimate the time required to complete each activity. If you are managing a smaller project, you will most likely estimate time in days. If you are working with a complex project, you may have to measure time in weeks.
• With a completed network diagram and an activity estimate you can now identify your critical path. You can do this by identifying the longest path through the network or the longest sequence of activities on the path.
• Now identify the earliest start and finish times, and the latest start and finish times for each activity. Highlight the path in your network diagram so everyone involved in the project can easily identify the most critical things that need to be completed to keep a project on schedule.