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What is critical path?

Updated: 10/10/2023
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11y ago

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In Project Management the Critical Path is the series of tasks that must finish on time for the entire project to finish on schedule. Each task on the critical path is a time critical task. You can also think of it as:

  • the longest path from start to finish
  • or the path without any slack,
  • the path corresponding to the shortest time in which the project can be completed.
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11y ago
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11y ago

The Critical Path is the series of tasks that must finish on time for the entire project to finish on schedule. Each task on the critical path is a time critical task. You can also think of it as:

  • the longest path from start to finish
  • or the path without any slack,
  • the path corresponding to the shortest time in which the project can be completed.
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What if the activity is accelerated in critical path?

If activity is accelerated in the critical path, then it may no longer be the critical path, assuming some other activity now takes longer.


When did Critical Path - video game - happen?

Critical Path - video game - happened in 1994.


When was Critical Path - video game - created?

Critical Path - video game - was created in 1994.


What is the importance of critical path and critical task estimation?

The importance of the Critical path is that helps you in reducing risk, contingency planning, and project planning.


Is the critical path always the longest path?

The critical path is the sequence of activities that takes all dependencies into account. Thus, it determines the duration of the project, and is necessarily the longest path.


What is inhumane path the Cherokees moved west on?

Critical Path


'project control should always focus on the critical path' comment?

Not necessarily. Critical path analysis determines the longest path through a network of project activities, because the main purpose of understanding the critical path is to focus effort on activities that lie on this path, thus increasing the chances of finishing the project on time. If you solely only focus on the critical path activities, then chances are that the activities not on the critical path will soon be on the new critical path because you haven't taken sufficient time to focus on all the activities. Project control should focus on the project as a whole, however more emphasis can be placed on the critical path activities as well as any risky/uncertain activities that could (if not monitored closely) eventually become a critical path activity and push the end date out even further.


Why is critical path the longest path?

As per the Project Management Terminology, the longest path in a project sequence of activities is called the Critical Path. Because it is the longest path, it determines the duration of the project and hence the finish date of the project given the start date. Since this path is going to determine the schedule/delivery date of the project, it is called the critical path.


Why is it important to determine the critical path of a project?

The critical path helps you in determining how to accelerate your project by compressing tasks. Putting more people on critical path tasks and finishing it earlier will shorten the duration of the project (this is called crashing).


What is defined by a critical path?

The Critical Path is the longest path (sequence of activities) in a project schedule network diagram. Because it is the longest path, it determines the duration of the project and hence the finish date of the project given the start date. Critical Path is one of the key outputs of the Project Schedule Creation activity


Can there be more than one critical path in a given project schedule?

Yes. Practically that is perfectly possible. A Critical Path is the longest path between the start and end points and it is possible that there are multiple critical paths. Critical Paths are extremely important while creating a project schedule


Where can someone find more information about the critical path method?

You can find more information about the critical path method in project management textbooks, online resources such as websites or blogs dedicated to project management, or by taking courses or attending workshops on project scheduling and management. Additionally, professional organizations like the Project Management Institute (PMI) may offer resources and guidance on the critical path method.