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Project
Management
Presented By : Syeda Rutab Aziz
Critical Path Method (CPM) is a
method used in project planning,
Critical Path Method generally for project scheduling for
the on-time completion of the project.
for Project It helps in the determination of the
management earliest time by which the whole
project can be completed.
CPM Objectives
Utilize critical path methods to Risk Management
determine project timelines and Identify critical tasks to assess risks
optimize scheduling for and develop contingency plans for
efficient resource allocation. potential delays in project completion.
Resource Allocation Performance Monitoring
Effectively allocate resources by Continuously monitor critical activities
understanding which activities to ensure adherence to timelines
are crucial for maintaining and facilitate timely project
project deadlines. completion.
Example : Building a Commercial Office
Activity Description Duration (days) Predecessors Successors
Site
A 4 None B, C
Preparation
B Foundation Work 8 A D
Ordering
C 6 A E, F
Materials
Structural
D 10 B G
Framing
E Electrical Setup 7 C G
Plumbing
F 9 C G
Installation
Interior
G 12 D, E, F H
Finishing
H Final Inspection 5 G None
Draw the Network Diagram
Represent each activity as a node, and dependencies as arrows.
D
B
G H
A E
F
Adding Durations.
D
B 10
8
H
A E G
5
4 7 12
C
6
F
9
Forward Pass
The Forward Pass is the process of calculating the Earliest Start (ES) and
Earliest Finish (EF) times for each activity in the project.
Earliest Start (ES): This is the earliest time an activity can begin, given that
all of its predecessor activities have been completed. For the first activity in
the project (the start), the ES is usually 0 because it can start immediately.
Earliest Finish (EF): This is the earliest time an activity can finish. It is
calculated as:
EF=ES+Duration Earliest Start (ES)
Earliest Finish (EF)
0 A 4
4
Perform Forward Pass (Earliest Start and Finish Times)
12 D 22
4 B 12 10 ES of G is the maximum of the
EF values of its predecessors (D,
E, and F)
8
34 H 39
0 A 4 10 E 17 22 G 34
5
4 7 12
4 C 10
6
10 F 19
9
Backward Pass
The Backward Pass is the process of calculating the Latest Finish (LF) and
Latest Start (LS) times for each activity. This pass helps determine how much
time can be "saved" without delaying the overall project.
Latest Finish (LF): This is the latest time an activity can be completed
without delaying the project. For the last activity in the project (the end), its
LF is the same as its EF because it has no successor.
Latest Start (LS): This is the latest time an activity can start without
delaying its completion. It is calculated as:
LS=LF−Duration
0 A 4
Latest Finish (LF)
Latest Start (LS) 4
Perform Backward Pass (Latest Start and Finish Times)
12 D 22
4 B 12 12 10 22
4 8 12
34 H 39
0 A 4 10 E 17 22 G 34
34 5 39
0 4 4 15 7 22 22 12 34
4 C 10
7 6 13
10 F 19
LF of C is the minimum LS of its successors (E
and F). From the LS values of E (15) and F (13),
the minimum is 13. 13 9 22
Calculation of Float:
Float helps you see where you have some extra time in the schedule, giving
flexibility for handling unexpected delays or issues in other parts of the project.
Float = LS - ES: This shows how much you can delay the start of a task.
Float = LF - EF: This shows how much you can delay the finish of a task.
If an activity is part of the Critical Path, its float is 0, meaning it cannot be
delayed without delaying the project.
If an activity has a positive float, it means it can be delayed by that amount of
time without impacting the overall project timeline.
Purpose: Float gives project managers flexibility. Non-critical activities
with float can be delayed without impacting the project end date, allowing for
better resource management and scheduling.
Calculate Float
12 D 22
4 B 12 12 10 22
4 8 12 Float=0
Float=0 34 H 39
0 A 4 10 E 17 22 G 34
34 5 39
0 4 4 15 7 22 22 12 34
4 C 10 Float=0
Float=5 Float=0
Float=0 7 6 13
Float=3 10 F 19
13 9 22
Float=4
Determining
Critical Path:
1 Identify activities with zero float
2 Critical Path Sequence
The Critical Path consists of the activities
with zero float, in the order they occur
from start to finish:
A→B→D→G→H
3 Total Duration of Critical Path:
Total Duration = 4 + 8 + 10 + 12 + 5 = 39 days
Determining Critical Path
12 D 22
h
at
12 10 22
lP
iti
ca 4 B 12
4 8 12 Float=0
Cr
Float=0 34 H 39
0 A 4 10 E 17 22 G 34
34 5 39
0 4 4 15 7 22 22 12 34
4 C 10 Float=0
Float=5 Float=0
Float=0 7 6 13
Float=3 10 F 19
13 9 22
Float=4
Conclusion:
The Critical Path for this project is: A → B → D → G → H
The total duration of the project, based on the critical path, is 39
days.
Activities with non-zero float (e.g., C, E, F) can be delayed without
affecting the overall project timeline, but any delay in the critical
path will directly impact the project completion.
End
Thank you
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