• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Project Management Knowledge

Simply explained by a PMI-certified Project Manager

  • Home
  • Acronyms and Abbreviations
  • Definitions
  • About the Author
  • Deutsch
  • Show Search
Hide Search
You are here: Home / Definitions / C / Critical Path Method (CPM)

Critical Path Method (CPM)

The term critical path method refers to a specific technique of schedule network analysis that is used to determine the amount of flexibility that exists in regards to the scheduling of a particular and specific logical network path with the network of the project schedule. The amount of flexibility within the scheduling here can also be referred to by the term “float“. Another important element of the technique of critical path method involves the determination of minimum total project duration. A forward pass is used to determine and calculate the early start and finish dates, through utilization of a previously specified start date. A backward pass is used to determine and calculate the late start and finish dates, again, through use of a previously determined date, this time a previously determined finishing date. In some cases the previously determined finish date is also the early finish date determined through the calculating done though the forward pass.

This term is defined in the 3rd and the 4th edition of the PMBOK.

Related Articles:

 
  • Late Finish Date  The term late finish date, in terms pf project management, refers specifically to a specific point of time that takes...
  •  
  • Critical Path Method (CPM)  Der Begriff "kritische Pfadmethode" bezieht sich auf eine bestimmte Technik der Fahrplannetzanalyse, mit der die Flexibilität ermittelt wird, die bei...
  •  
  • Critical Path  The term critical path refers to an important concept in project management, and some project managers believe that it deserves the...
  •  
  • Critical Chain Method  The phrase critical chain method refers to a specific project management technique in which a schedule network analysis is used...
  •  
  • Critical Path Activity  The importance of good scheduling in project management ensures the ultimate success of the project. The critical path activity is...
  • Primary Sidebar

    Dear Visitor, I am a PMP (Project Management Professional), certified by the Project Management Institute since 2004. I have been managing dozens of projects, small and huge, successful and unsuccessful. This site is supposed to help you learn the required vocabulary of the project management world. Please feel free to check my certification status or to learn more about me.

    Copyright © 2021

    • Privacy Policy