3.3.4 Critical Path Analysis

Question 1

Define CPA

Answer 1

CPA is a management tool which helps a business to identify how long a project will take + what the critical tasks in that project are.

Question 2

What are the 2 main uses of CPA (Building example)?

Answer 2

1.) CPA can be used to schedule a building project, for example the roof is not the first thing to go on a house+ the site may not have enough room for all the roof tiles at the start.
2.) A building business will therefore schedule the tiles to be delivered when they are needed (week 3)

Question 3

What are the other uses of CPA?

Answer 3

-Launch a new product onto a market.
-A photo shoot of the new product would not happen on day 1 so a schedule would be useful so bookings can be made.
-Installation of new technology in a business.
-Renovation of old buildings.
-Advertising campaigns

Question 4

What are the benefits to a business of using CPA?

Answer 4

-Stakeholders will be able to see the total time frame for the project to be completed.
-Parallel activities can be scheduled, e.g. electricians can work on the lighting in the kitchen while the plasterers put plaster on the upstairs walls.
-Very useful for business in the FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) where speed is important.
-Useful to know when to deliver resources or arrange for labour to arrive.

Question 5

What are the limitations of CPA?

Answer 5

-All the data is the network diagram is based on estimates + can quickly become inaccurate.
-The drawing up on a diagram is time consuming, it may be quicker to get on with the project.
-The project may be simple + not require a diagram.