Critical Path Analysis

Question 1

What is CPA

Answer 1

A widely-used project management tool that uses network analysis to help project managers to handle complex and time-sensitive operations in the most efficient way

Question 2

CPA model includes

Answer 2

• A list of all activities required to complete the project
• The (duration) that each activity will take to completion
• The dependencies between the activities

Question 3

What does CPA calculate

Answer 3

• The longest path of planned activities to the end of the project
• The earliest and Latest that each activity can start and finish without making the project longer (identifies the critical activities and can calculate total float)

Question 4

What is a node

Answer 4

A circle on a CPA that represents a point in time where an activity is started or finished. The node is split into 3 sections

Question 5

What is the left half of a node

Answer 5

The unique node (activity) number - the network diagram draws these in order

Question 6

What is the top right section of a node

Answer 6

Shows the earliest start time (EST) that an activity can commence based on the completion of the previous activity

Question 7

What is the bottom right section on a node

Answer 7

Shows the latest finish time (LFT) by which the previous activity must be completed

Question 8

How is an activity shown on a CPA

Answer 8

By linking the nodes with a line. A letter representing the activity is usually shown above the relevant line

Question 9

How is the duration of an activity shown on a CPA

Answer 9

Under the activity line - below the letter of activity

Question 10

Advantages of CPA

Answer 10

• Helps reduce the risk and costs of complex projects
• Encourages careful assessment of the requirements of each activity in a project
• Help spot which activities have some slack (“float”) and could therefore transfer some resources = better allocation of resources
• A decision-making tool and a planning tool
• Provides managers with a useful overview of a complex project
• Links well with other aspects of business planning, including cash flow forecasting and budgeting

Question 11

Disadvantages of CPA

Answer 11

• Reliability of CPA largely based on accurate estimates and assumptions made
• CPA does not guarantee the success of a project - that still needs to be managed properly
• Resources may not actually be as flexible as management hope when they come to address the network float
• Too many activities make the network diagram too complicated. Activities might have to be broken down into mini-projects

Question 12

how to calculate float

Answer 12

latest finishing time - duration - earliest starting time