Solve Problems involving Critical Path Analysis

Solve Problems involving Critical Path Analysis

Overview

  • Critical Path Analysis (CPA) is a technique used to plan complex projects.
  • It iis used to identify tasks that must be completed on time and tasks that can be delayed if necessary.

Key Concepts

  • Events: An event in CPA signifies the start or finish of a task.
  • Activities: An activity in CPA represents a task or a particular stage of the project.
  • Network Diagram: This is a visual representation of the sequence of activities and events in a project, including dependencies between tasks.
  • Critical Path: The longest path through the network diagram. Activities on this path directly impact the total project time.

Constructing a Network Diagram

  • Identify all activities and their dependencies.
  • Draw a network diagram representing all activities and their dependencies.
  • Determine the earliest and latest time each activity can start without making the project longer.
  • Identify the critical path by finding the longest path through the network diagram.

Using Earliest Start and Finish Times (ES and EF)

  • Earliest Start Time (ES): The earliest time an activity can start once the previous dependent activities are completed.
  • Earliest Finish Time (EF): The earliest time an activity can finish. It is the Earliest Start Time plus the time taken for the activity.

Using Latest Start and Finish Times (LS and LF)

  • Latest Start Time (LS): The latest time an activity can start without delaying the project. It is the Latest Finish Time minus the time taken for the activity.
  • Latest Finish Time (LF): The latest time an activity can finish without delaying the project.

Identifying Critical Path

  • The activities that have zero slack or float are on the critical path.
  • These activities are critical as any delay in these activities will directly delay the entire project.
  • It’s essential to manage and monitor tasks on the critical path carefully.

Understanding Slack and Float

  • Slack or Float: It refers to the amount of time that you can delay a task without causing a delay to the project or next tasks.
  • Tasks with higher slack or float have more flexibility in their scheduling.

Interpreting Results

  • The earliest finish time for the final task provides the minimum completion time for the whole project.
  • The critical path represents the sequence of tasks that cannot be delayed without delaying the project.
  • Knowledge of slack or float time can help in planning and resource allocation.
  • Adhering to the critical path and managing float effectively helps to maintain control over the timeline of the project.