The Critical Path Method (CPM)

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CPM is one of the fundamental concepts in traditional project management. It can be applied for the planning, scheduling and control of construction projects<ref name="Fon62">.
 
CPM is one of the fundamental concepts in traditional project management. It can be applied for the planning, scheduling and control of construction projects<ref name="Fon62">.
  
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==The driving example==
 
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[[File:Moving.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Fig 5: Situational changes]]
 
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A very simple example that is used in literature to explain the domains and contexts is the example of driving a car. <ref name="HBR"/>
 
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Lets consider that you are driving a car, a system that is stable one day and we believe we know how it works. When the car runs low on gasoline (simple), we fill it up. A repeating pattern where the solution is commonly known, there is a clear relationship between cause-and-effect. Let's say the car makes an unintended noise, we might have to take it to an expert that will analyse the problem and fix it (complicated), the cause-and-effect relationships are discoverable, but not by everyone. Previous examples both belong in the ordered domain. We can consider situations where we are thrown out in complex or chaotic situations where there are no right answers and underlying causality. <br>Consider that you are the driver, and in the middle of a huge car accident on the highway, all cars go in each their direction with no emerging patterns, there is high turbulence, and you have no time to think. You will need to act (do something), then sense if the situation is moving to the better and then respond accordingly (chaotic).
 
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All of these situations could happen one after another, and one should therefore imagine that the situation moves around in the framework, see [Fig 5].
 
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<div style="clear:both">&nbsp;</div>
 
  
 
==Introduction to CPM==  
 
==Introduction to CPM==  
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CPM is a step-by-step method for project planning and management. It is the presentation of a project plan by a schematic diagram that depicts the sequence and interaction of all the tasks of the project<ref name="Woodhead">. The precursor of CPM was PERT (Program, Evaluation, Review and Technique) developed by the U.S. Navy and PPS (Project Planning and Scheduling). PPS focus on estimates on both time and cost for design, construction and maintenance work<ref name="Woodhead">.
 
CPM is a step-by-step method for project planning and management. It is the presentation of a project plan by a schematic diagram that depicts the sequence and interaction of all the tasks of the project<ref name="Woodhead">. The precursor of CPM was PERT (Program, Evaluation, Review and Technique) developed by the U.S. Navy and PPS (Project Planning and Scheduling). PPS focus on estimates on both time and cost for design, construction and maintenance work<ref name="Woodhead">.
 
The main benefits of CPM for the projects managers are firstly to identify the most important tasks. By focusing on tasks duration CPM identifies the critical path and thereby the minimum length of time needed to complete a project. If any of the tasks forming the critical path take more time than their estimated durations, start or finish later than planned, then the whole project will be affected. The critical path is by the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), an internationally recognized collection of processes and knowledge areas accepted as best practice for the project management profession, defined “the sequence of scheduled activities that determines the duration of the project.” The critical path helps define the most efficient way to schedule the project. Although many projects have only one critical path, some projects may have multiple critical paths.
 
The main benefits of CPM for the projects managers are firstly to identify the most important tasks. By focusing on tasks duration CPM identifies the critical path and thereby the minimum length of time needed to complete a project. If any of the tasks forming the critical path take more time than their estimated durations, start or finish later than planned, then the whole project will be affected. The critical path is by the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), an internationally recognized collection of processes and knowledge areas accepted as best practice for the project management profession, defined “the sequence of scheduled activities that determines the duration of the project.” The critical path helps define the most efficient way to schedule the project. Although many projects have only one critical path, some projects may have multiple critical paths.

Revision as of 00:02, 22 September 2015

This method article describes the Critical Path Method (CPM) also in comparison to other project management methods. This article describes how and when to use CPM methods, moreover discusses the advantages, disadvantages and applicability of the method. CPM is a step-by-step project management method for process planning. CPM was developed in 1956 by the E.I. du Pont de Nemours Company a major chemical plant construction firm in USA[1]. By focusing on tasks duration CPM identifies the minimum length of time needed to complete a project and helps define the most critical tasks that needs to be accelerate in order to complete the project within the available time. Furthermore CMP allows you to identify slack time (free resources) and can be used to monitor if the project follows the time schedule. To identify the critical path through the project you can either use CPM or Program, Evaluation, Review and Technique (PERT). With available accurate task time estimate CPM is the preferred method. PERT is used in projects with inaccurate time estimates by applying three time estimates (earliest, latest, average) to create the expected time. CPM is therefore the most simplified methodCite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag

Books

  • Woodhead, James M. Antill & Ronald W. "Critical Path Methods in Construction Practice". John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (1990). [1]
  • Fondahl, John W. "A non-computer approach to the critical path method for the construction". Stanford University. (1962). [2]


Links

Videos

  • Dr. Zelbst, Pamela. "Critical Path Method and PERT explained". (2015)
Critical Path Method and PERT explained by Dr. Pamela Zelbst
[5]

Bibliography

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Woodhead, James M. Antill & Ronald W."Critical Path Methods in Construction Practice" John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (1990): 90.
  2. ↑ Fondahl, John W. "A non-computer approach to the critical path method for the construction". Stanford University. (1962).
  3. ↑ What is Critical Chain Project Management?, 2009
  4. ↑ The Ultimate Guide to the Critical Path Method, 2015
  5. ↑ Dr. Zelbst, Pamela. Critical Path Method and PERT explained, 2015
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