Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary assumption of the Critical Path Method?
What is the primary assumption of the Critical Path Method?
What is the purpose of identifying critical activities in a project?
What is the purpose of identifying critical activities in a project?
What is the longest path through a project network called?
What is the longest path through a project network called?
What happens when a critical activity is delayed?
What happens when a critical activity is delayed?
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What is the primary reason for scheduling a project?
What is the primary reason for scheduling a project?
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What is a potential pitfall of using the Critical Path Method?
What is a potential pitfall of using the Critical Path Method?
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What is the primary benefit of identifying the critical path in a project?
What is the primary benefit of identifying the critical path in a project?
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What is the effect of having individuals work on multiple projects, according to experience?
What is the effect of having individuals work on multiple projects, according to experience?
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What is the characteristic of a critical activity or event?
What is the characteristic of a critical activity or event?
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What is the purpose of CPM in project management?
What is the purpose of CPM in project management?
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What is an event in a project network?
What is an event in a project network?
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What is the primary difference between an activity and an event in a project network?
What is the primary difference between an activity and an event in a project network?
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What is the primary concern of the manager when his staff wants to create schedules with 26-week task durations?
What is the primary concern of the manager when his staff wants to create schedules with 26-week task durations?
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What is the recommended maximum duration for a task to prevent back-end loading?
What is the recommended maximum duration for a task to prevent back-end loading?
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What is the benefit of breaking down a 26-week task into smaller subtasks?
What is the benefit of breaking down a 26-week task into smaller subtasks?
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What is the approach of starting at the end and working back to the beginning when developing a schedule?
What is the approach of starting at the end and working back to the beginning when developing a schedule?
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Why does the staff member in the example keep delaying the start of the task?
Why does the staff member in the example keep delaying the start of the task?
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What is the purpose of iterating through the scheduling process multiple times?
What is the purpose of iterating through the scheduling process multiple times?
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What is the major consequence of a network with logical errors?
What is the major consequence of a network with logical errors?
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What is the primary characteristic of a correct network diagram?
What is the primary characteristic of a correct network diagram?
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Why is it important to consider the individual who will be doing the task when making time estimates?
Why is it important to consider the individual who will be doing the task when making time estimates?
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What is the main purpose of creating a network diagram for a project?
What is the main purpose of creating a network diagram for a project?
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What is the relationship between the order of tasks in a network diagram and logical correctness?
What is the relationship between the order of tasks in a network diagram and logical correctness?
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What is the basis for making time estimates for each task in a network?
What is the basis for making time estimates for each task in a network?
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What is the primary reason for scheduling according to what is logically possible?
What is the primary reason for scheduling according to what is logically possible?
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Why is it important to keep all times in the same increments when scheduling?
Why is it important to keep all times in the same increments when scheduling?
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What is the benefit of diagramming a schedule before considering resource limitations?
What is the benefit of diagramming a schedule before considering resource limitations?
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What is the main purpose of the cleanup phase in the yard project?
What is the main purpose of the cleanup phase in the yard project?
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Why is it recommended to draw the network on paper before entering it into a computer scheduling program?
Why is it recommended to draw the network on paper before entering it into a computer scheduling program?
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What is the primary advantage of having a helper for the yard project?
What is the primary advantage of having a helper for the yard project?
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Study Notes
Critical Path Method (CPM)
- Developed in the late 1950s to reduce time and cost of a project
- Algorithm used for planning, scheduling, coordination, and control of activities in a project
- Assumes activity duration is fixed and certain
- Computes earliest and latest possible start time for each activity
- Differentiates between critical and non-critical activities to reduce time and avoid queues
Critical Activities
- Critical activities have no slack and must be completed as scheduled, or the end date will be delayed
- Delay in critical activities will cause the whole process to suffer
- Identification of critical activities helps guide project management and decision-making
Scheduling
- Primary reason for scheduling a project is to ensure deadline is met
- Scheduling helps identify which activities will determine the end date
- Knowing the critical path allows for determination of impact on the project due to scope or priority changes
Network Terms
- Activity: Consumes time and may consume resources (e.g., paperwork, labor, machinery operations)
- Critical: Activity or event that must be achieved by a certain time, with no latitude or slack
- Critical Path: Longest path through a network, determining the earliest completion of project work
- Events: Beginning and ending points of activities (denoted by a circle)
Developing a Schedule
- Two methods: starting at the end and working back, or starting at the beginning
- Break down tasks into smaller subtasks to avoid back-end loading
- Rule of thumb: no task should have a duration greater than 4-6 weeks
- Develop a schedule based on what is logically possible, then deal with resource limitations
Drawing a Network Diagram
- Start with what can be done first, and work through the sequence
- Draw tasks side by side if they can start simultaneously
- The diagram should be logical and consistent, with no single right solution
- Avoid overcomplicating the diagram, focusing on the gist of the work
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Description
Test your understanding of the Critical Path Method (CPM), an algorithm used for planning, scheduling, coordination, and control of activities in a project. Learn how CPM helps reduce project time and cost by identifying critical and non-critical activities.
