Critical Path Method

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By : Siti Fariedah binti Abdullah (2012608046) Critical Path Method (CPM) was developed in 1957 by a Dupont engineer Morgan R Walker and a Remington-Rand computer expert, James E Kelly Jr which involved using ‘unique arrow filled diagrams or network diagram’. It is defined as a technique for analysing projects by determining the longest sequences of tasks through a project network by concentrating on the most critical tasks it can be ensured that the project is on time and is keeping pace with the schedule set up (Newbold, 1998). The main objective of this method is to determine how to best reduce the time required to perform routine and repetitive tasks that are needed to support organizations. There are two methods by which the Critical Path can be identified which are The forward pass and The backward pass. The forward pass is where CPM calculates the earliest time within which a project can be completed. In this method of critical path determination, the earliest possible date for starting of the project is identified and then the activities are lined up to identify the completion date. Meanwhile The backward pass is where the organization select the date they want to complete the project or the last activity identifies CP. Time requirements are based on working backward from the final date desired for the last activity to the initial first activity. The dates identified in this method of CPM are called late start dates and the late finish dates. The first thing we want to do is determine a schedule of the earliest each activity can begin. As just suggested, we sometimes start project schedules with a “dummy” activity of 0 duration called the “start node.” The start node always begins at time 0, which marks the beginning of the project. Any activities without any immediate predecessors have an arrow pointing to them from the start node. These activities

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