Drawing a Critical Path Analysis Chart

Use the following steps to draw a CPA Chart:

1. List all activities in the plan
For each activity, show the earliest start date, estimated length of time it will take, and
whether it is parallel or sequential. f tasks are sequential, show which stage they depend on.

Activity Preceeding activity Duration
A. Lay foundations - 1
B. Build walls A 1
C. Lay drains A 3
D. Install electricity
cables
A 1
E. it windows fra!es B 1
. fit door fra!es B 1
". it windows E #
$. it doors 1
I. Plaster inside walls "%$ 1
&. Lay floor C 1
'. it (ower outlets D 3
L. Install !ac)ines I%&%' *

2. Plot the activities as a circle and arrow diagram
Critical Path Analyses are presented using circle and arrow diagrams.

n these, circles show events within the pro!ect, such as the start and finish of tasks. Circles
are normally num"ered to allow you to identify them.

An line running "etween two event circles shows the activity needed to complete that task. A
duration of the task is written underneath the line.

An e#ample of a very simple diagram is shown "elow:

$he rule is one line one !o" as the following diagram demonstrates