4: Critical Path Method/ Critical Path Analysis

Question 1

Explain what is CPM?

Answer 1

CPM: is an approach to determine the start and finish dates for individual activities in a project

Question 2

what framework does CPM require?

Answer 2

Requires identifying a critical path using the AON framework, ie an unbroken chain of activities from start to finish

Question 3

List 2 factors that affect CPM method

Answer 3

1: Any delay in the starting time of any activity (within this chain)delay of the entire project completion time
2: Critical path have no slack time

Question 4

How will some activities within CPM chain be classified as critical activities be treated as?

Answer 4

receive more management attention and priorities for resource allocation

Question 5

Techniques of Project Management in CPM

Answer 5

CPM assigns time and/or cost estimates to each activity.

Compute the longest time path through the network – this is called the critical path.

Use the network to help plan, schedule, monitor, and control the project

Question 6

list 1/8 Question CPM can answer

Answer 6

What is the probability the project will be completed by a specific date?

Question 7

list 2/8 Question CPM can answer

Answer 7

Is the money spent equal to, less than, or greater than the budget?

Are there enough resources available to finish the project on time?

Is the project on schedule, behind schedule, or ahead of schedule?

Question 8

2 steps to calculate to find critical path

Answer 8

1. Basic information required: no. of activities + duration of activities: this information is given
2. Need to calculate the following times to find the critical path:

Question 9

calculate what following times in critical pathway?

Answer 9

Early start and finish times of the project (ES and EF)
Slack time (TS)
Late start and finish times of the project (LS and LF)

Question 10

backward pass

Answer 10

Begin last event, and work backwards.

LS RULE:
ls=lf-activty time
The latest start time (LS) of an activity is the difference of its latest finish time (LF) and its activity time

Question 11

forward pass

Answer 11

Begin at starting event and work forward

The earliest finish time (EF) of an activity is the sum of its earliest start time (ES) and its activity time
ef=es+activity time