6.

5 Tools and Techniques

2.Critical Path Method (CPM):
• Consider the following project network diagram. Assume all duration
in days:

C=2 4 E=1
A=2 B=5
start 1 2 3 6 finish

D=7 5 F=2

• How many paths are on this network diagram?

• How long is each path?
• Which is the critical path?
• What is the shortest amount of time needed to complete this project?
6.5 Tools and Techniques
 6.5 Tools and Techniques

CPM:
• If one or more activities on the critical path takes longer than
planned, the whole project schedule will slip unless corrective action
is taken
• Misconceptions:
– The critical path is not the one with all the critical activities; it only
accounts for time.
– There can be more than one critical path if the lengths of two or
more paths are the same
– The critical path can change as the project progresses
 6.5 Tools and Techniques

Slack / Float:
• Is the amount of time that an activity can slip or be delayed without
delaying the finish date of the project.
• Typically we calculate Slack using forward and backward pass.
• Float can be +ve or –ve.
• There are several types of Slack:
– Free Slack.
– Total Slack.
– Project Slack.
 6.5 Tools and Techniques

Forward and Backward Pass Calculations:

• Network Diagram Legend / Formulas:
• EF = ES + D
• LF = LS + D ES Duration EF
• Slack = LS – ES
Activity Name / Code
• Slack = LF – EF
LS Slack LF

*
 Case Study

A 90
B 15
C 30
D 60
E 60
F 75
G 40
H 15
J 30
K 20
 Case Study

F H

ST G B C
J K EN

A E D
 40 75 115 220 235
15
F H
115 75 190 265 280
45

0 40 40 40 15 55 190 30 220 280 30 310 310 20 330

G
G B C
C J
J K
K
0 0 40 175 135 190 190 0 220 280 0 310 310 0 330

40 90 130 130 60 190 220 60 280

A
A E
E D
D
40 0 130 130 0 190 220 0 280