Critical Path Method

Ahad Nazir
 Critical Path Method
Free Float is the amount of
The difference between late time that an activity can be
CPM calculates the Total float is the amount of
finish and early finish or delayed without delaying
theoretical early & late start time that an activity can be
late start and early start is the early start date of any
and finish dates of each delayed without delaying
called float or Total Float of immediate successor
activity of the project the project finish date
the activity activity within the network
path

For any path the sum of

free float in the path is Critical path is categorized A network may have
equal to the total float of by zero total and free float multiple critical paths
the path
 Critical Path Method

Paths are the different set of

Network Path refers to sequence of
sequences in which activities shall be Real projects have numerous paths
events that affect each other and go These activity form a path through
performed and they are used to and automated tools are available that
from project start till the project the project
identify areas of high risk on the perform the calculations
finish
project

A schedule activity that has low total

float. The concept of near-critical is
equally applicable to a schedule
It is the longest of the paths and the Not unusual to have more than one
Critical Path is the path with highest activity or schedule network path.
shortest time for the project to critical paths. But this will increase
schedule risk The limit below which total float is
complete the schedule risk
considered near critical is subject to
expert judgment and varies from
project to project.
 Calculation
 Critical Path Calculations involve

Forward Backwar
Float
Pass d Pass

Critical
Path
 Forward Pass
Early Finish Date
Early Start Date (ES) Duration Forward Pass
(EF)
• Earliest possible • Activity Duration • Earliest possible • Starting at the
point in time an Estimate time the activity can beginning of the
activity can start, finish network
based on the • Establishes the early
network logic and start and finish dates
any schedule for each activity
constraint • Progressing to end
of the network
• ES + Duration – 1 =
EF OR ES +
Duration=EF if you
take start of 1st
activity to be zero
Forward Pass
 Backward Pass
Late Start Date (ES) Late Finish Date (EF) Backward Pass
• Latest possible point • Latest possible time • Starting at the end of
in time an activity can the activity can finish the network
start without delaying without affecting the • Establishes the late
the successor activity activity successor start and finish dates
for each activity
• Progressing towards
the start of the
network
Backward Pass
 Free Float and Total Float
Free Float/Slack: Amount Total Float/Slack: Amount
of time an activity can be of time an activity can be
Late Dates-Early Dates =
delayed without delaying delayed without affecting
Total Float
the early start date of its a project’s required due
successor date

Critical activities have

zero total and free float
Float and its importance
Critical Path
Practice Exercise