Critical Path The critical path method calculates the early start and finish dates and late start and finish dates for all schedule activities. The critical path method involves performing a forward pass analysis and a backward pass analysis through the project schedule network paths. The forward pass determines the early start (ES) and early finish (EF) dates (ES + duration (DU) = EF). The backward pass determines the late start (LS) and late finish (LF): (LF – DU = LS) The critical path is the longest path through the schedule with either zero or negative total float. Critical activities are those schedule activities on the critical path. Near-critical activities are those schedule activities with very little total float. Critical Chain The critical chain method is a technique that modifies the project schedule to account for limited resources by adding duration buffers that are non- work schedule activities to maintain focus on the planned activity durations. Critical chain is completed after determining critical path by entering resource availability and the resulting schedule produces a resource- constrained critical path, which is usually altered from the original. Critical chain focuses on managing remaining buffer durations against the remaining durations of task chains Summary The critical path method (CPM) is a popular approach to project scheduling that considers the amount of float on project activities. Critical chain takes CPM a step further by adding time buffers to account for limited resources.
Critical PathThe critical path method calculates the early start
and finish dates and late start and finish dates for all schedule
activities.The critical path method involves performing a forward
pass analysis and a backward pass analysis through the project
schedule network paths. The forward pass determines the early start
(ES) and early finish (EF) dates (ES + duration (DU) = EF). The
backward pass determines the late start (LS) and late finish (LF):
(LF DU = LS)The critical path is the longest path through the
schedule with either zero or negative total float.Critical
activities are those schedule activities on the critical path.
Near-critical activities are those schedule activities with very
little total float.Critical ChainThe critical chain method is a
technique that modifies the project schedule to account for limited
resources by adding duration buffers that are non-work schedule
activities to maintain focus on the planned activity
durations.Critical chain is completed after determining critical
path by entering resource availability and the resulting schedule
produces a resource-constrained critical path, which is usually
altered from the original. Critical chain focuses on managing
remaining buffer durations against the remaining durations of task
chainsSummaryThe critical path method (CPM) is a popular approach
to project scheduling that considers the amount of float on project
activities. Critical chain takes CPM a step further by adding time
buffers to account for limited resources.
