Critical path method

PERT chart for a project with five milestones (10 through 50) and six activities (A through F). The project has two critical paths: activities B and C, or A, D, and F – giving a minimum project time of 7 months with fast tracking. Activity E is sub-critical, and has a float of 1 month.

The critical path method (CPM), or critical path analysis (CPA), is an algorithm for scheduling a set of project activities.[1] A critical path is determined by identifying the longest stretch of dependent activities and measuring the time[2] required to complete them from start to finish. It is commonly used in conjunction with the program evaluation and review technique (PERT).

  1. ^ Kelley, James. Critical Path Planning.
  2. ^ Santiago, Jesse (February 4, 2009). "Critical Path Method" (PDF). Stanford. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 24, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2018.