a simple method to determine the critical path

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The presentation is part of Ace the PMP Exam, available on the iBookstore. Go to http://Aceitguides.com for more information. The critical path is the longest path in a network diagram, and therefore determines the shortest time that it will take to complete a project. This presentation illustrates a simple method to determine the critical path. The following example demonstrates the concept and will enable you to quickly answer some of the simpler questions on the PMP® exam.

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The Critical Path

Method

This presentation is part ofAce the PMP Exam

A Simple Method to Determine the Critical Path

The critical path is the longest path in a network diagram, and therefore determines the shortest time that it will take to complete a project.

This presentation illustrates a simple method to determine the critical path.

A Simple Method to Determine the Critical Path

To use the simple method you look at all the different paths in the schedule, add the durations, and determine which is the longest.

The following example demonstrates the concept and will enable you to quickly answer some of the simpler questions on the PMP® exam.

A Simple Method to Determine the Critical Path

Touch the screen to continue

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There are four possible paths in this network diagram: A D F➞ ➞ , B F➞ , B E➞ , and C E➞ .We will follow each path to determine its length.

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A Simple Method to Determine the Critical Path

Path 1: A D F = 2 + 3 + 3 = 8➞ ➞

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There are four possible paths in this network diagram: A D F➞ ➞ , B F➞ , B E➞ , and C E➞ .We will follow each path to determine its length.

Path 2: B F = 8 + 3 = 11➞Path 1: A D F = 2 + 3 + 3 = 8➞ ➞

A2A2

D3D3

F3F3

B8B8

C4C4

E2E2

StartStart EndEnd

F3F3

B8B8

Touch the screen to continue

Path 1: A D F = 2 + 3 + 3 = 8➞ ➞

A2A2

D3D3

F3F3

Path 2: B F = 8 + 3 = 11➞Path 3: B E = 8 + 2 = 10➞

Path 1: A D F = 2 + 3 + 3 = 8➞ ➞

A2A2

D3D3

F3F3

B8B8

C4C4

E2E2

StartStart EndEnd

B8B8

E2E2

Touch the screen to continue

F3F3

B8B8

Path 2: B F = 8 + 3 = 11➞

Path 1: A D F = 2 + 3 + 3 = 8➞ ➞Path 2: B F = 8 + 3 = 11➞Path 3: B E = 8 + 2 = 10➞Path 4: C E = 4 + 2 = 6➞

A2A2

D3D3

F3F3

B8B8

C4C4

E2E2

StartStart EndEnd

C4C4

E2E2

Touch the screen to continue

B8B8

E2E2

Path 3: B E = 8 + 2 = 10➞

Path 2: B F = 8 + 3 = 11➞

A2A2

D3D3

F3F3

B8B8

C4C4

E2E2

StartStart EndEnd

Path 3: B E = 8 + 2 = 10➞Path 2: B F = 8 + 3 = 11 (the longest path)➞

Path 4: C E = 4 + 2 = 6➞

Path 1: A D F = 2 + 3 + 3 = 8➞ ➞

A2A2

D3D3

C4C4

E2E2

StartStart EndEnd

F3F3

B8B8

End

C4C4

E2E2

Path 4: C E = 4 + 2 = 6➞

A Simple Method to Determine the Critical Path

That was a simple method of determining the critical path in a network diagram.

For a systematic way of determining the critical path, see the Forward and Backward Pass video in this series.

The Critical Path

Method

This presentation is part ofAce the PMP Exam

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