Critical Path Analysis is an important topic for PMP exam. It is of great help for Project Managers in managing projects in real time. Since in PMP exam, questions on Critical Path Analysis will be based on understanding of the concepts so such questions can be answered with certainty unlike situational questions which can be tricky to answer sometimes. So understanding Critical Path Analysis concepts would of great help in PMP exam.
2. How to create Network diagram?
How to find out Critical Path?
Finding out float of an activity
Schedule compression techniques
3. Understanding of critical path analysis & schedule
compression techniques
Will help in managing projects better in real life
Will help in solving 10 to 15 questions in PMP exam
4. Activity A does not have any dependencies on other activities.
Activity B, can only be started once A is complete.
Activity C, can be started once B is complete.
Activity D can be started once A is complete.
Activity E can be started once C & D are complete.
Network diagram helps in visualizing the relative order and
dependencies of these activities on each other.
5. Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM) or Activity on Node
(AON)
• Network diagram shows dependencies
• In PDM, boxes are used to show activities and arrows to
show relationships.
• Activities are put in the order they need to be performed
• Network diagram is not concerned with when the activities
will occur on the project timeline
Activity
Activity 2
1
End
Start
Activity 3
6. Mandatory dependencies
• Something MUST BE done before something else.
Discretionary dependencies
• There is preferred method, or order, of performing the
work.
External dependencies
• Something outside the project must be done before a task
in the project.
7. Finish to Start (FS) : The successor can’t start before the
predecessor has finished.
Start to Start (SS) : The successor can’t start before the
predecessor has started.
Finish to Finish (FF) : The successor can’t finish before the
predecessor has finished.
Start to Finish (SF) : The successor can’t finish before the
predecessor has started. It is rarely used.
Finish to Start is most commonly used relationship.
Finish to Start Start to Start Finish to Finish
Dig a Finish testing
Plant tree Start design
hole
Finish documentation
After 2 weeks, start coding
8. 3 weeks 8 weeks
3 6 6 14
B C
3 6 6 14
3 weeks 5 weeks
0 3 14 19
Start A E End
0 3 6 weeks 14 19
3 9
D
8 14
8
9. Longest duration path in a Network Diagram
It is the shortest time to complete the project
It helps to determine the focus for project management
efforts
Near critical path is close in duration to critical path
Closer the near critical and critical paths are, the more risk
project has
10. 3 weeks 8 weeks
3 6 6 14
B C
3 6 6 14
3 weeks
5 weeks
0 3 14 19
Start A E End
0 3 6 weeks 14 19
3 9
D
8 14
Start, A, B, C, E, End
or
Start, A, D, E, End
10
11. Total Float (slack)
• The amount of time an activity can be delayed with out
delaying project end date.
Project Float (slack)
• Amount of time project can be delayed with out delaying
externally imposed project completion date.
Critical path activities have zero float.
Knowing float helps in better allocation of resources.
If project is behind an imposed external date, then project
will have negative float.
12. ES EF Forward
Pass
Backward LS LF
Pass
ES : Early Start
LS : Late Start Float = LS-ES OR Float = LF-EF
EF : Early Finish
LF : Late Finish
ES and EF are calculated by Forward Pass.
LS and LF are calculated by Backward Pass.
12
13. 3 6 6 14
B C
3 weeks 8
3 6 6 weeks 14
0 3 14
A E 19
Start 3 weeks 5 weeks End
0 3 14 19
3 9
D
6 weeks
8 14
What is the float of Activities
Float= LS-ES OR Float=LF-EF A, B, C, D and E?
13
14. Fast Tracking
• Doing critical path activities in parallel
Crashing
• Adding more resources to complete the activities.
Reduce scope
Cut quality
15. Fast Tracking Crashing
Add risk Add cost
May add project May add project
management time management time
Reduce scope Cut Quality
Could save cost and Could save cost
time and resources
May negatively May increase risk
impact customer
satisfaction
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